CONGRATULATIONS to Kyle, Stephanie, and Kevin Geyer on locating the 2025 prize at Columbia Park in White Bear Township. Here is an explanation of this year’s clues.

Clue 1:

Well, the Earth’s spun ‘round – and so we’re bound

To bring you another quest for fun and jewel.

Your viridescent dream is closer than it may seem

Bring wits and maps – but not a garden tool.  

 

So, get now, scoot – we’re giving you the boot

Grab a coffee and get out the front door. 

As a nation, we treasure freedom and separation 

But know that your pursuit starts just before. 

 

Explanation:

“Viridescent” in the first stanza referred to the fact that the medallion was made of a green marble substance this year. The second stanza referred to a home directly across from the park’s entrance, which carries the address 1775 Highway 96. With independence being declared in 1776, hunters were told to “start just before.” Finally, “front door” hinted that hunters were looking for an address in order to crack the clue. We also added coffee to the clue as it is a well-known export of the country of Colombia. 

 

Clue 2:

Shuttling thru park and trail, will you prevail

And claim the championship? 

You’ll be thinking green as you scan the scene

And watery views you shouldn’t skip.

 

Explanation:

“Shuttling” pointed to the Space Shuttle Columbia, which was at the center of the United States space exploration from 1981 until its tragic disintegration upon reentry in 2003.  This clue also confirmed that the medallion was hidden in a park with a trail (albeit very short) and views of water (Whitaker Pond). “Park” also could point to Park Avenue, which runs into Columbia Park. “Thinking green” referred to the solar panel and water filtration station found toward the southern end of the park – as well as the dandelion plant at the top of our contraption. 

 

Clue 3:

She got an evil wink while out having a think

This anniversary now carries a golden tone. 

Jump left, pivot right – keep knees together tight

Keep this jig in mind as you nose the grindstone. 

 

Explanation:

This year marks the 50th (“golden”) anniversary of the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show. One of the characters in the story is named Columbia. The most well-known song from the production is Time Warp, which carries a list of instructions on how to do the dance (“jig”). A summary of these steps can be found in the third line of the clue. In the song, Columbia has a solo in which she declares that she was walking down the street having a think when a guy gave her an evil wink. 

 

Clue 4:

Playing cards is a hoot, but it’s a certain suit

That will bring you in view of treasure. 

Mind a difference of five, white rectangles drive

Safe passage for those seeking leisure. 

 

Explanation:

The card suit of interest would be the diamond, hinting to the baseball diamond found at Columbia Park. “White rectangles” referred to the crosswalk allowing pedestrians to cross Highway 96. There is also a five MPH change that occurs on Highway 96 in front of the park (35 to 40 MPH for westbound traffic; 40 to 35 MPH for eastbound traffic). 

 

Clue #5:

One crowning day, they made their triumphant way 

By mountain man into a foreign domain.

A condition, we’d learn, led to one tragic turn

We remember through a rear window pane. 

 

If you had to make a plan to save your fellow man

What sort of tack would you take?

Would you embrace the leap and dive into the deep

If your flight is tied to his sake? 

 

Explanation:

Grace Street could be found to the west of the treasure site. The first stanza made several references to the late Grace Kelly. “Crowning” referred to Grace Kelly’s marriage to Prince Rainier (“Mountain Man”) of Monaco in 1956. Kelly died in a car crash in 1982 after experiencing a medical episode while driving. Finally “rear window” referred to the Alfred Hitchcock film by that name that Kelly starred in – opposite of James Stewart — in 1954. Clarence Street could also be found to the east of the treasure site.  Clarence was the name of an angel in the popular Christmastime film It’s A Wonderful Life (1946). After being assigned to George Bailey to help him come to value his life, Clarence jumps into a river (“leap” and “dive into the deep”) to trick George into saving him instead of jumping to take  his own life. “Flight tied to his sake” referred to the fact that (spoiler alert) Clarence was awarded a pair of wings for succeeding in his task. 

 

Clue #6:

Isn’t it ironic? This hunt is so iconic

That it could be an olympic event. 

Put that flip phone away, halt your 64 play

You could win with just 49.2%.

 

Don’t you think, with our dandy Independence Day link

Clue #1 would be quickly unraveled? 

Like a twister come down, dolly through town

You’ll wannabe using roads highly traveled. 

 

Explanation:

“Iconic” hinted that we were doing something new – a nod to the fact that the medallion had never been hidden at Columbia Park. “Town” placed the medallion in the Township and not the city. The main point of the clue, however, was to point to Highway 96 (“roads highly traveled”) but referring to major news and cultural events from the year 1996. “Isn’t it ironic” and “Don’t you think” referred to Alanis Morisette’s Ironic, a top song of the year. “Olympic event” pointed to the Atlanta Summer Olympics. Both the flip phone and Nintendo 64 debuted in 1996. Bill Clinton won his reelection that year with 49.2% of the popular vote. “Independence Day” and “twister” were top films of the year. “Dolly” pointed to the first cloned sheep. Lastly, 1996 saw the Spice Girls debut with the song Wannabe. How many ‘96 references did you find? 

 

Clue #7:

Is your confidence galled? Your motor stalled?  

Perhaps the way has been stinky and slow.

If you’re awkwardly lurkin’ and in a gherkin

Seek out a place to glide over ice and snow. 

 

Explanation:

“Stinky and slow” referred to two pieces of equipment – a skunk and turtle – found in the playground area where the medallion was hidden. A gherkin is a pickle. Pickleball can be played at the court just to the southwest of the medallion site. In the winter, a skating rink (“glide over ice”) can be found just south of where the medallion was hidden (the water hydrant used to flood it could be seen from the treasure site). 

 

Clue #8:

This year our zone ain’t sandy – but you’ll still be dandy

If you mind the clues we release.

From north pole to south; from headwaters to mouth

Swing on by for our golden fleece. 

 

Explanation:

In 2024, the medallion was hidden at Memorial Beach (“sandy”). Sand was also a traditional substrate found in playgrounds. This one, however, is full of wood chips. The third line put the medallion between two playground poles – one to the north of the medallion and one to the south. “Dandy” hinted at the dandelion plant with which the medallion was hidden. “Swing” referred to the swing equipment surrounding the hiding spot.

 

Clue 9:

Capital land and a sportswear brand

Reveal the park we chose this year.

A weedy display in a zone for play

One isn’t quite as it would appear. 

 

Explanation:

“Capital land” referred to Columbia, South Carolina or Washington DC (District of Columbia). Columbia is also a sports brand. The “zone for play” is the park’s playground. In the playground were several dandelion plants. One of them was carefully placed by us. 

 

Clue #10:

Columbia’s it! That playground’s a fit

For all the clues we’ve dropped.

Reach your goals between two poles

With a dandelion it’s topped. 

 

Explanation:

Final hint to the location of the 2025 Manitou Days medallion.