1988 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 1:24 PM

This marked the first year the medallion was made of plastic. The old metal medallion which had been found by detectors in the past was switched to a new "nonmetallic, weather-resistant compound created by 3M" because of continued complaints by folks who said the detector-toters had an unfair advantage.

The medallion was hidden in a coating of almond bark at Tony Schmidt Park in Arden Hills and it was found by Mike Madland without the benefit of the last, pinpointing clue.

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Sunday, January 31, 1988

Find Date

Saturday, February 6, 1988

Finders

Name

Mike Madland

Hometown

South Saint Paul

Name

Donny Madland

Hometown

South Saint Paul

Prize

Maximum Prize

$5,000

Awarded Prize

$5,000

Location

General Location

Tony Schmidt Park

Pinpointed Location

Between the parking lot and domed shelter across the street from Lake Johanna

Concealer

Embedded in a chunk of almond bark

45.0493, -93.1731

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Saturday, January 30, 1988, 6:00 PM

This year's medallion
Is not made of wood,
But a metal detector
Will do you no good.

Laser beams and 3M magic
Make the search more fair for all.
So now's the time to bundle up;
Go out and have a ball.

The official meaning of the clue.

The clue makes it clear that a metal detector won't work this year. All who hunt have an equal chance of finding it.

Our Thoughts

It also gives a free plug to one of Minnesota's favorite home companies.

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Sunday, January 31, 1988, 6:00 PM

Our space-age medallion
Is on planet Earth,
Right here in Ramsey County.
And thinking of water
That's underground
Could help you find the bounty.

The official meaning of the clue.

This clue confirms the medallion is hidden in Ramsey County. The "underground water" refers to the water beneath the red pump visible from the medallion site.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Sunday, January 31, 1988, 6:00 PM

Not all barks are found on trees,
On that you can rely.
These few words can help you out,
If you use them by and by.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Bark" in the clue refers to the coating of almond bark that encases the medallion.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

Published Date

Monday, February 1, 1988, 6:00 PM

In case of unexpected rain
Don't run helter skelter.
Protection's waiting just for you
At a nearby shelter.

The official meaning of the clue.

The shelter in the clue refers to the domed structure in the park near the medallion site.

Clue Rating

Clue 5

Published Date

Monday, February 1, 1988, 6:00 PM

To help your search
We think we dare
To use the expression
"On the air."

The official meaning of the clue.

This clue refers to the close proximity of radio station KTIS which broadcasts from Northwestern College, directly across the lake from the park.

Clue Rating

Clue 6

Published Date

Tuesday, February 2, 1988, 6:00 PM

A diamond might be
A girl's best friend,
But for now it's a clue
Which to you we extend.

The official meaning of the clue.

In this clue, diamond is a baseball field located up the hill just to the west of the medallion's hiding place.

Clue Rating

Clue 7

Published Date

Tuesday, February 2, 1988, 6:00 PM

Life's a beach,
So goes the saying.
Remember this clue,
And we could be paying.

The official meaning of the clue.

The beach in the clue is the public beach on Lake Johanna's north side, located directly across the street from the park area where the medallion was hidden.

Clue Rating

Clue 8

Published Date

Wednesday, February 3, 1988, 6:00 PM

There's help for you
In this little rhyme.
You can launch your boat
In the summertime.

The official meaning of the clue.

The clue further pinpoints Lake Johanna by telling hunters to search for a boat landing.

Clue Rating

Clue 9

Published Date

Wednesday, February 3, 1988, 6:00 PM

If you could use money
To pay up those bills,
Find a treasure that's hidden
In them thar' hills.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Hills" is the key word here, as it partially identifies the community Arden Hills.

Clue Rating

Clue 10

Published Date

Thursday, February 4, 1988, 6:00 PM

On old TV
She used pencils and books,
And she was known
As "Our Miss Brooks."

The official meaning of the clue.

"Our Miss Brooks" starred Eve Arden, whose last name specifically identifies Arden Hills as the treasure site.

Clue Rating

Clue 11

Published Date

Thursday, February 4, 1988, 6:00 PM

Here's a hint
That tops all the rest:
Name the brew that grew
With the great Northwest.

The official meaning of the clue.

"The brew that grew with the great Northwest" was a well-known advertising slogan for Schmidt Beer. The clue tells hunters to look in Tony Schmidt Park.

Clue Rating

Clue 12

Published Date

Friday, February 5, 1988, 6:00 PM

Out Arden Hills way,
In Tony Schmidt Park,
There lies a small piece
Of white almond bark.

Somewhere in between
A parking lot and dome,
Our candy-covered treasure
Has found its frigid home.

Look for "men" and "women" signs,
And a skinny tree as well.
It's buried nearby in snow,
And that's all we're gonna tell.

The official meaning of the clue.

This clue tells hunters precisely where the medallion is hidden.

Clue Rating