The pair of friends who last week found the Strawberry Fest Medallion and collected their $300 reward stopped last Wednesday morning to voice a complaint to each other.
Jenny Hagen and Jenny Petrowske, 22-year-old friends and 2004 Park High graduates, stood by the Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park bush where moments later they would find their prized piece of cardboard stashed inside a bag of sunflower seeds, talking about their lack of luck, wondering, "Why can't this be easier?"
And then they saw it; their efforts rewarded after years of searching to no avail.
"We were calling everybody but nobody was answering their phones," Petrowske said. "We wanted to share our excitement with somebody."
It's pretty serious business for the two Jennys, or serious enough, at least, to roust Hagen, the recent Hamline graduate, and Petrowske, the UW-Stout senior, from bed a little after 7 a.m. to check for the medallion hunt's sixth clue online. But despite their dedication, the two didn't hold out much hope of unearthing the big prize.
"Generally," Hagen said, "we go out and think we're not going to find it."
They'd been close in the past -- in the same park, the same family even when Hagen's younger sister found the medallion a few years back.
"When my sister found it we had been at Kingston Park earlier in the day and didn't find it," Hagen said.
But this time, a close study of the clues, enjoyment of the hunt and a lucky hunch led the two to the right part of the right park and made them 2008's winners.
"It never is very easy, you really have to look a lot," Petrowske said. "(Clues) that maybe don't sound like anything can mean a lot."
An explanation of what each 2008 medallion hunt clue meant:
Clue #1
Strawberry Fest is about to begin,
a community celebration sure to make all smile and grin.
Get the whole family out to search around,
for a medallion that is hidden on public ground.
Insight: Hidden on public ground where families smile and grin.
Clue #2
If you're to find the medallion you must get out and go,
hunting for the treasure you should keep your sights set low.
But with plenty of places to hide where did the prize park?
Choosing the right one will get you much closer to the mark.
Insight: "Sights set low" refers to hidden on the ground in a park.
Clue #3
Your search should narrow as the clues are revealed,
the tall grass and plants will help keep it concealed.
Seek in an area where kids swing, climb and slide,
somewhere in Cottage Grove does the medallion surely hide.
Insight: Narrow describes a ravine, hidden in tall grass by a kids play area.
Clue #4
They told people searching for treasure long ago,
to "Head West Young Man" and off they would go.
If you hear that famous saying now just laugh,
and point your compass toward the east half.
Insight: Search in the eastern half of Cottage Grove.
Clue #5
Can Pinetree, Arbor Meadows, Ravine or Woodridge be the place?
Or Pine Coulee, Kingston, Old Cottage Grove and Lamar could be the case.
If you want to claim the prize causing you to rejoice,
you must be shrewd and exact when making the big choice.
Insight: Lists the possible parks with the clue 'big choice' referring to the largest park or ravine.
Clue #6
If you were a medallion where would you go and hide?
With all the rain lately you'd probably prefer inside.
But you must hide outside so you definitely need a rain jacket.
You make due by using an empty sunflower seed packet.
Insight: Hidden outside, inside a sunflower seed packet.
Clue # 7
If you're on the lookout for the booty today,
start with a picnic before you begin your survey.
With time running out and so much ground to traverse,
stay in eyesight of maps, pavilions and piers to find the purse.
Insight: "Lookout" refers to the lookout point at Ravine Park, but it tells you to "start with a picnic" informing you to go toward the picnic area. Search in the area where you can see the trail map, pavilion and fishing pier.
Clue #8
You drive in a circle around places to play,
don't let the tables and grills get in your way.
Maybe let the kids play in the sand for awhile,
then half a stroll to shore will make you all smile.
Insight: Tells you the medallion is hidden within the circle road, half way between the playground and lake.
Bonus Clue #9 -
This last bonus clue will be fairly direct,
West of center from the play area is correct.
The smell of cut lawn on all sides creating a grassy bouquet,
a small weedy knoll is where the medallion does lay.
Insight: Directs you west of the circle's center to a grassy area within the mowed lawn of the park.