A couple of days provide some ways
To help you anchor the boat.
Sort through the batch where day and week match
That would be our casting vote.
When pioneers came, the land they did claim
And the rest, well, is history.
Head for the sticks and let your focus affix
On solving this checkered mystery.
Explanation:
The “couple of days” referred to in the clue were Township Day (first stanza) and Hockey Day Minnesota (second stanza). Township Day, celebrated March 10, lands during the 10th week of the year (“where day and week match”) and it is when Township residents vote on representation and procedures. Hockey Day Minnesota, held at Polar Lakes Park in January, saw Hill Murray (the Pioneers) come to White Bear and beat our hometown team. “Stick” and “check” (in checkered) hinted at hockey.