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2014 Hugo Spike

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Submitted by Joe Medallion on Thu, 05/29/2014 - 15:54

Darin Ostertag, boyfriend of Coolerhead Nicole Hinzie, found Spike in Irish Avenue Park after 10 clues.

Hunt information
Dates:
First Clue:Thursday, June 5, 2014
Found on:Sunday, June 8, 2014
Finders:
NameHometown
Darin OstertagHugo
Prize:
Maximum Prize:$1,000
Awarded Prize:
Location:
General Location:Irish Avenue Park
Exact Location:
Concealer:
Related Content
Press Publications Originals
Clues
Clue #1
Published on Thursday, May 29, 2014
Winter's gone, and we're presumin'
In every yard the flowers are bloomin'.
The kids all shout, "School's almost out!"
— Good Neighbor Days is finally loomin'!
Explanation:
Background information.
 
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Clue #2
Published on Thursday, May 29, 2014
Listen closely, and you will hear
Of fun the Lions have planned this year.
Somewhere in Hugo, Spike's on the lam.
To find him, you must shake a gam.
Explanation:
Background information.
 
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Clue #3
Published on Thursday, May 29, 2014
It’s game time! So begins the quest.
You won't need shovels, you won’t need tools,
But you must surely read the rules.
(We’re serious, as you've likely guessed.)

Read them please. Don't miss the mark.
And if you do as you are bidden,
You’ll know that Spike is carefully hidden
On public land, in a city park.
Explanation:
Background information.
 
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Clue #4
Published on Thursday, June 5, 2014
Your Spike success long overdue?
Don’t miss a clue! Dreams do come true.
Check out each park on Hugo’s list.
No park’s too small to be dismissed
(Lions Park is not to be missed).
From park to park, go make the lap —
Be prepared. Take a map.2

2Maps are available on this Web page or at sponsors’ places of business. You can also visit www.ci.hugo.mn.us for additional city maps.
Explanation:
Suggests that “No park’s too small to be dismissed” — conversely, no park is too large, either. Irish Avenue Park is the largest of Hugo’s parks, at 125 acres in size.
 
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Clue #5
Published on Thursday, June 5, 2014
The sward of green is serpentine;
Landmarks are few and far between.
Sunwise or widdershins it will be:
You’ll choose one, as you will see.
(This park has limits you must not pass;
Respect them, please. Don’t be a donkey.)
Explanation:
Intimated that “Landmarks are few and far between,” hinting that the park is secluded in nature; it also included a reference to the circular path in the park (“sunwise” and “widdershins” are antiquated terms meaning “clockwise” and “counter-clockwise,” respectively). Irish Avenue is the only city park to contain a circular walking or riding path of any significant size.
 
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Clue #6
Published on Friday, June 6, 2014
This playground of Nature’s creation
Calls for some imagination.
Free your minds, you’ll see more signs:
Ogres climb from the bog below,
A granite turtle on tiptoe.
Explanation:
Referred to the rural nature of the park (“This playground of Nature’s creation”) and threw in a few visual clues. “Ogres climb from the bog below” was a reference to two huge, gnarly trees hunched over a wetland (headed sunwise on the path) and the “granite turtle” referred to a turtle-like, flat-bottomed rock that appeared to be climbing an adjacent rock (even further sunwise). In a park consisting of mostly grass, trees and swamp, these were natural features that were noticeable.
 
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Clue #7
Published on Friday, June 6, 2014
Spike’s legacy is long and storied;
And in this park, others have quarried.
Here, DEET is likely your best friend
(Liberal use brings dividends).
Avoid the tarn, the lower ground
To earn “Spike Finder” renown.
Explanation:
“Others have quarried” phrase referred to Irish Avenue Park’s former history as a gravel pit. Hugo residents who read The Citizen and follow the local news would likely know this. Searchers were also warned to bring bug spray and to avoid the lower ground — no sense in getting muddy!
 
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Clue #8
Published on Saturday, June 7, 2014
One sign for welcome, three more for warning;
The southern slopes get sun in morning.
Those who dress for exploration
Are less likely to incur frustration
An aerial view provides the clue
That luck accrues to those who “do”
(And get their Golden Ticket stamped).
Explanation:
Refers to the welcome sign along Irish Avenue and three natural gas line warning signs along the path to the “southern slopes” where Spike was hidden. The gas line was installed years ago to connect to a temporary asphalt plant at the pit. This clue also referred to the excellent view of the “aerial,” or cell phone tower north of the park boundary, from Spike’s hiding place. And, for good measure, the clue refers to the “luck” of the Irish. (Okay, it’s a long shot.)
 
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Clue #9
Published on Saturday, June 7, 2014
To Irish Avenue Park, you should get:
Some years ago, a gravel pit.
A solitary “southern” pine
Shaped like a pine cone by design
Is the point from which you draw a line.
Where? Think Ulysses’ song! then take a sight
And swing an angle to the right
Explanation:
Revealed the identity of the park and suggested searchers locate a pine cone-shaped tree from which to sight a line toward the emergency “siren” (Ulysses was the hero of the Odyssey who wanted to hear the Sirens’ song) and swing an angle to the right to find Spike’s hiding place.
 
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Clue #10
Published on Sunday, June 8, 2014
An angle of 40 degrees (more or less).
No compass? Then give it your best guess.
Up the hill you’ll find the quarry
Mere paces from a berried tree.
Explanation:
Specified that angle as 40 degrees in width, naming Spike’s hiding place near a “berried tree.” Ostertag said he spotted a small red cedar tree — a species of juniper — which he knows produces tiny blue berries (and this tree was no exception; the berries were visible). Spike was about five paces southeast of the tree, lying in the grass.
 
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