Me2's Speech

OK , just breathe. – I’m getting up here to talk a bit. I brought a speech. Not because I won an Oscar, and I haven’t yet found the medallion, but I won! I won all of YOU.

Once again I have seen us strengthen friendships and make new relationships. New Daddy, RedDog, Karl & Laurie. I got to put new faces to online names of BigG, Mystical_Muzik. But there are still people I hope are here today that I haven’t met in person yet- Homeless Artist, On the Search, jusme, 231gnx – I hope you find as much kindness, respect, laughter and acceptance with these fine people as I have.

Most of us were brought together by the Winter Carnival Treasure Hunt.
You have unique qualities that have kept us together! Some of you are terribly funny, some really care that we had a rough day, some are quiet, like Reg ;) . Sometimes we disagree with each other in the forum, we listen to each other vent, share in each others joys (like a new baby Congratulations ESD!, a new job-way to go ClueMaster!, Terry and Inks son in the Peace Corps-come home safely)

We share our private lives as much or more than we discuss clues in a treasure hunt.

There are some that we don’t hear from throughout the year that put a smile on our face the moment we see them in line at the pioneer press or out in the park, like Wright Winger, Tami or Chair guy-John. Then there’s the Clowns –"Who's goin' chicken huntin'?"

Unselfish began at the pre-hash bash with East Side Digger giving me and Scribe copies of his newspaper art project. And trickled into Marley giving me a glow in the dark bulldog and reminding me to be positive-It was the year of “I believe, I believe” from Miracle on 34th st., some of you may have heard me chanting as I dug.

Thank you Terry Knapp for bringing us tacos in the middle of a park! To everyone who brought drinks! Then the Camo Crue-always so generous! A huge thank you to anyone who gave another person a ride to the parks. Cluemaster for 2 am talks in the truck. Gordy for slipping me a handwarmer while standing in line and CM for slipping me some schnapps. Randy Rust for the last of his hot chocolate at 3 am.. Tim the hunter-thank you for carrying Ares heavy shovel back to my truck! Karl, Laurie & New Daddy for offering me gloves on that last night when I left mine at home! Downtown Dave for posting the clue almost every night. Chrisdigger, Ares and Artemis for waiting hours downtown for the last clue! Artemis daily report that I still have to read. and Terry Valentines editorials.

Marley and ESD for designing bumper stickers and Mom, Dad, Terry & Inks for the wonderful work they do on the buttons.

The little things throughout the year that take so much time. Like Marley, Med Hunter & Ares (and now OntheSearch) for keeping wonderful websites maintained! Everyone who takes pictures throughout the years!- Cluemaster, Ian and KC0GRN! TMK just for always making me laugh ...and playing with our kids at the re-hash bash every year! THX our “stern controller” in the cooler.
Scribe hanging out with me under the table at the Rockin' Lobster.
Green? Just cause it’s hard being Green.

LL – you have graduated from (CCA) Cooler Crew Anonymous – you stuck by Phalen this whole hunt! Congratulations!

AW and Marley- looking forward to a good old fashion treasure hunts!

If I have not mentioned your name it isn’t because you’re not thought of.

Cooler Crew are, restaurant & business owners, website organizers, master gardeners, authors, lawyers, figure skaters, car salesmen, photographers, clue writers, police officers, filmmakers, ... moms, dads, grandma’s & grandpa’s, we donate our time to our friends, habitat for humanity, the historical society, schools.—YOU ARE THE SPIRIT OF ST PAUL –you are the soul of medallion hunts.

I don’t plan to win an Oscar if I make it in Trent's movie and I may not ever find that medallion but You can forever call me ...” lucky... humbled.... proud.... blessed...” to have met every single one of you. This is to all of you, I raise my shovel! Thank you.

love, Me2