The 23rd Annual Kanabec County Treasure Hunt ended Thursday when Paul Whiteford found the button in the state forest in the very southeast corner of Peace Township. The button was just off an ATV trail on Quarry Street, between Pomroy Lake and 270th Ave.
Whiteford said he didn’t start looking very hard this year, but he and his extended family grew more interested as more time went on.
“I honestly didn’t have any idea what the clues meant,” he said. “I just knew they were pointing me east.”
The release of clue 10 sent him looking near the Pomroy Lake public access. After looking for about an hour he headed south on Quarry Street.
Many hunters were already deep in the woods along the trail. Whiteford passed by the tree where the button was hidden initially, but said he turned back just in case someone missed something. There he scooped the treasure out of the leaves at the base of a five-trunked tree.
Whiteford, who also found the button in 2003, said he plans to spend his $1,000 prize money wisely —not on toys or luxuries.
The clues and what they mean:
1. It’s a rare condition, this day and age,
To read any good news on the newspaper page
Love and tradition of the grand design
Some people say it’s even harder to find.
Well there must be some magic clue inside these TV songs
No tools or digging you will need to see
A hidden prize on public property
2. Hey hey we’re the Monkees,
You never know where we’ll be found.
So you’d better get ready,
We may be coming to your town.
Meaning: The button could be anywhere.
3. Green Acres is the place for me
Farm living is the life for me
Land spreading out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside
Meaning: The button is hidden out in the country, not near a town or city.
4. Life is a test and I confess I like this mess I’ve made so far
Grade near a curve and you’ll observe
I’m right below the horizon
Meaning: The button is near an curve on Co. Rd 5/Rainbow Road. The button is low to the ground/“the horizon”
5. Thank you for being a friend
Traveled the dirt road and back again
Your heart is true, you’re a pal and a confidant
Meaning: The button is on a dirt road.
6. Well we’re moving on up
To the east side
To a deluxe apartment in they sky
Moving on up to the east side
We finally got a piece of the pie
Meaning: Look in the Northeastern quarter of the county.
7. Happy trails to you
Until we meet again
Happy trails to you
Keep smilin until then
Meaning: The button is just off an ATV trail.
8. George George
George of the jungle
Strong as he can be
(Ahhhhhhh!)
Watch out for that tree!
Meaning: It is in a wooded area at the base of a tree.
9. Flintstones, meet the Flintstones
They’re the modern stone age family
From the town of Bedrock
They’re a page right out of history.
Meaning: No, it isn’t Flintstone Street. Fred Fintstone works at a quarry, so look to Quarry Street.
10. Sunny Day
Sweeping the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get
How to get to Quarry Street?
Meaning: Go to Quarry Street.
11. Everywhere you look
When you’re lost out there and you’re all alone
A red banded birch will mark your way home
Everywhere you look.
Meaning: Near the entrance of the ATV trail there is a tree marked with a red/orange band.
12. The mate was a mighty sailing man
The skipper brave and sure
Five trunks will surely mark your way
To a free prize for sure, a free prize for sure.
Meaning: The button is at the base of a five trunked tree.
Copyright 2012 Kanabec County Times/PressPubs.