The St. Paul Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt medallion has been found. Details are coming shortly on the lucky hunter(s).
As was the case in 2008, searchers were still scouring Ramsey County on day 11 of the 12-day hunt for the medallion.
The medallion was hidden on public land in Ramsey County — with a couple of exceptions like the State Capitol grounds and the Como Zoo & Conservatory. This year, searchers have been swarming Swede Hollow Park.
If the medallion is not found by 11:59 p.m. Thursday, the paper could end the hunt and donate the prize to a local charity. But that has never happened.
"It has always been found," said Pat Effenberger, the paper's spokeswoman. "Never in the history of the hunt — since 1952 — has it not been found."
Past medallions have turned up in most unusual ways:
- 2004: Inside a green doughnut between Phalen and Round Lakes
- 1983: Substituted as filling in an Oreo cookie in Lake Phalen Park
- 1971: Attached to a baby buggy wheel at Wakefield Lake Park in Maplewood
- 1960: In the heel of a boot at Harriet Island Park
- 1952: In a clump of weeds at Highland Park
As in past years, avid medallion hunters have lined up at the paper's offices in downtown St. Paul long before midnight, when the next day's clue is published. Others wait by their computers to log on to twincities.com to get the clues electronically.
And no wonder.
The prize is $2,500 cash and $1,200 worth of groceries from Cub Foods. But if the lucky finder presents the medallion and clippings or copies of the dozen daily clues from the Pioneer Press or twincities.com, the winner will get an extra $2,500. They get additional $5,000 if they have a correctly registered Winter Carnival button.
Several times, the hunt went all the way to Day 12 before someone found the medallion, Effenberger said.
Last year, the medallion was found on Day 11.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Rhoda Fukushima can be reached at 651-228-5444.
Copyright 2009 Pioneer Press.
