1994 Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt

Submitted by Joe Medallion (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 3:17 PM

Found by the impromptu partnership of Dave Jotblad and Tom Roach, two diggers that met the morning of the find at Highland Park, figuring two shovels were better than one. The medallion was hidden inside of a flat, white, wooden box. It was another case of merciful destiny (see 1996) as both men were recently out of work.

Hunt Information

Dates

Scheduled Dates

Sunday, January 23, 1994

Find Date

Thursday, February 3, 1994

Finders

Name

Dave Jotblad

Name

Tom Roach

Prize

Maximum Prize

$4,000

Awarded Prize

$4,000

Location

General Location

Highland Park

Pinpointed Location

Near the Police Station

Concealer

Inside a wooden box

44.912, -93.1558

Clues

Clue 1

Published Date

Saturday, January 22, 1994, 6:00 PM

Find the treasure at your leisure,
The search really is a lark.
But while enjoying winter's pleasure,
Remember to look in a park.

The official meaning of the clue.

Locates the medallion in a park.

Our Thoughts

Laying the blanket (see 1995, Clue 2).

Clue Rating

Clue 2

Published Date

Sunday, January 23, 1994, 6:00 PM

Look around on public ground
To find the cherished bounty.
You'll be more lost than found
If you depart from Ramsey County.

The official meaning of the clue.

Confines the search to a public park in Ramsey County.

Our Thoughts

Two clues used up to say what one usually does. Not the best of beginnings.

Clue Rating

Clue 3

Published Date

Monday, January 24, 1994, 6:00 PM

It's painted white and its size is right
For what you have in mind.
And if it comes within your sight,
You'll have a valuable find.

The official meaning of the clue.

Describes the piece of wood hiding the medallion.

Clue Rating

Clue 4

Published Date

Tuesday, January 25, 1994, 6:00 PM

Trees that grow but stay quite low
Will steer you on your way,
As will benches where people go
To eat on a summer's day.

The official meaning of the clue.

Refers to a clump of short evergreens and picnic benches near the medallion site.

Our Thoughts

Marcia Brass, ever noodling words with ideas, put "trees that grow but stay quite low" to mean juniper trees. Juniper Street is right there in the park. That's just too much coincidence for it not to be true. Maybe an intern wrote the clue explanations this year.

Clue Rating

Clue 5

Published Date

Wednesday, January 26, 1994, 6:00 PM

It can be a strain on the brain
To search for carnival treasure.
But if you seek elevated terrain,
Good things will come in due measure.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Elevated terrain" is another way of saying "high land". Thus, the medallion is in Highland Park.

Clue Rating

Clue 6

Published Date

Thursday, January 27, 1994, 6:00 PM

A house for the old rises out of the cold
To serve as a monument on high.
As does an arch that's really quite bold,
So you'd better start looking nearby.

The official meaning of the clue.

"A house for the old" refers to the Montreal Hi-Rise, a senior citizens apartment tower near Highland Park. "An arch that's really quite bold" refers to the arched bridge over Montreal Avenue.

Clue Rating

Clue 7

Published Date

Friday, January 28, 1994, 6:00 PM

Parking lots and games for nontots
Should attract your probing eyes.
You'd also be smart to seek out spots
Near the elongated name of a prize.

The official meaning of the clue.

There are parking lots and a variety of places for games - golf courses, a horseshoe pit, a Frisbee course and a ballfield - near the medallion site. "The elongated name of a prize" refers to Antonio Drive. "Antonio" is a long version of "Tony" which is the name of the awards (or prizes) given each year for Broadway productions.

Our Thoughts

"Nontots" is a funny way of saying adult games.

Clue Rating

Clue 8

Published Date

Saturday, January 29, 1994, 6:00 PM

An expanse of snow is where to go
To find the treasure round.
But as you search both high and low,
Don't tread on golfers' ground.

The official meaning of the clue.

Cautions hunters that the medallion is not located on the Highland Park Golf Course.

Clue Rating

Clue 9

Published Date

Sunday, January 30, 1994, 6:00 PM

If the winds blow and the goin's slow
And the search has left you glum,
Seek a road that winds to and fro
And you'll feel new knowledge come.

A proper spin will help you win
As you go searching here and there.
Think of something round and thin
That often flutters through the air.

The official meaning of the clue.

"You'll feel knowledge come" is a pun on Edgecumbe Road, just west of the medallion site. "A proper spin", "round and thin", and "flutters through the air" refer to the Frisbee course across Montreal Avenue.

Our Thoughts

Also of note is the popular "to and fro" phrasing. Cooler Crew "coolerheads" often use "to and fro" to say they're leaving the "Shoot the breeze..." Pioneer Planet Water Cooler Message Board, as in: "Later, I'm off to wander to and fro." This practice began during the 1998 hunt (see 1998, Clue 8).

Clue Rating

Clue 10

Published Date

Monday, January 31, 1994, 6:00 PM

While going about your chosen route,
Consider water both old and new.
This will help you ferret out
The treasure hidden from view.

A place of games and a ring of flames
Will guide you on your mission.
And if you think of proper names,
Something French is a good addition.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Water both old and new" is a reference to the two swimming pools at Highland Park, one of which is no longer used. "A place for games" refers to the many activities nearby, and "ring of flames" identifies a fire ring just east of the medallion site. "Proper names" and "something French" refer to Montreal Avenue.

Clue Rating

Clue 11

Published Date

Tuesday, February 1, 1994, 6:00 PM

When the day turns dark and gray
And your luck seems truly awful,
You'll be headed on your way
By thinking of something lawful.

If all along you've been in the wrong,
Now's not the time to shed a tear.
Nor should you sing a doleful song
Instead, you ought to hum here.

The official meaning of the clue.

"Something lawful" is the team police station near the medallion site. "You ought to hum here'" is a pun on Otto Hummer Drive, which leads to the police station.

Clue Rating

Clue 12

Published Date

Wednesday, February 2, 1994, 6:00 PM

Hark! Hark! Head for Highland Park
To a field just north of the police station.
And if you're exactly on the mark,
You'll have cause for celebration.

Search if you could for a taped piece of wood
That hides the object of your pursuit.
And when you find it you'll feel mighty good
Because the winner takes home all the loot!

The official meaning of the clue.

Gives the final directions to the medallion.

Clue Rating