2011 Hugo Spike

Spring has sprung, the shovels are stowed.
Been three whole weeks since it has snowed!
June 9 through 12, the dates are set
For Good Neighbor Days, the Lions’ fête.
The word is out to every man jack
To head for Hugo: Spike is back!

Old Spikey took a year’s vacation—
A Facebook fan then aired vexation.
Again in Hugo, “Spike” is hiding.
Anticipation is igniting!
In this annual endeavor,
Luck won’t suffice—you must be clever.

You won’t need shovels, you won’t need tools,

But you must surely read the rules.
If you do as you are bidden,
You’ll know that Spike is carefully hidden
On public land, in a city park.
Check the map. Don’t miss your mark.
Without a clue, you’re in the dark.

Life is hard, so take a break.
A thousand dollars is at stake.
(We hope you got that little pun.
If not, we’ll write another one.)
To search and i nd this little peg
You must get out and shake a leg.

Be sure you set aside a day
To savor treats at Lions’ Park,
For games of skill, the bright Midway—
To ride the Zipper after dark.
And take a spin on the Ferris Wheel!
Key landmarks may just be revealed.

You’ve set yourself a lofty quest:
To locate Spike and his treasure chest,
Truly, a diamond in the rough
Is a worthy start—though beyond kid stuff.

Hedge your bets, release your zeal!
This park has got some curb appeal,
Where wooden fingers (weathered much)
Are reaching with a Midas touch.

Revere the monumental trees,
Our heritage and history.
To turn the golden into green,
The way to Spike is serpentine

Whose woods these are, we're sure we know.
To find Spike, you've not far to go.
Where strikes and spares adjoin the trail,
Pace off the distance to the grail.
How many step? Just flip a coin;
Uncommon cents will never fail.

The game's afoot in Heritage Ponds!
Fifty Paces beyond the bridge
Find a curious looking tree.
Behind it, inside a sock (it's black),
Old Spikey waits, a few yards back
From the edge of the trial.
The patient hunter will prevail.