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2017 White Bear Lake Manitou Days Medallion Hunt

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Submitted by Administrator on Fri, 05/26/2017 - 12:47

The Manitou Days medallion is hidden on public property in White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Birchwood Village or Mahtomedi.

The first clue will be given on Thursday at 6:00 PM. A new clue will be released daily at 6:00 PM until the medallion is found.

At no time should property be damaged.  The medallion is hidden in such a way where hunters needn’t dig, swim or engage in any dangerous activity.

If the medallion is not found within 24 hours of the release of the last clue, Coldwell Banker Burnet reserves the right to end the hunt and donate the prize money to a local charity.

The prize of $1,000 will be given to the finders of the medallion. When you find the medallion, please bring it to the Coldwell Banker Burnet office located at 4801 Highway 61 N, Suite 100 to process your claim to the prize money.

Hunt information
Dates:
First Clue:Thursday, June 15, 2017
Found on:Saturday, June 24, 2017
Finders:
NameHometown
Lindsay Craig White Bear Lake
Matt Craig White Bear Lake
Ben Craig White Bear Lake
Troy Craig White Bear Lake
Prize:
Maximum Prize:$1000
Awarded Prize:$1000
Location:
General Location:Matoska Park
Exact Location:Near the sluice by the bridge
Concealer:Under an iris plant
Clues
Clue #1
Published on Thursday, June 15, 2017
Cease yer thumb twiddling, it’s time for riddling
Welcome to both hopeful noobs and old pros.
So here it begins, may it be you who wins
Victory will be sweet as sugar, pure as a rose.

Precious firebrand: avoid all private land
Here you can rove shamelessly.
But follow our clues or all you will do
Is circle around quite aimlessly.
Explanation:
This first clue, as usual, welcomes everyone to the game! But, two subtle hints to the medallion’s location were also included.  “Here it begins” referred to the Legend of the White Bear, from which our city is named – which is set on nearby Manitou Island. “Sweet at sugar” referred to the fact that Manitou Island area was once a very popular spot for collecting maple syrup – as noted in several historical records. The second stanza put the medallion on public land.  The words “rose” and “aimlessly” also start a trend of using words from a nearby historical plaque on the legend of White Bear Lake to end each stanza (tipped off in Clue 3).
 
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Clue #2
Published on Friday, June 16, 2017
Let your soul softly frolic with a clue bucolic
Where a sanctum of grass holds realm.
See structures, too -- opposite an object of blue
Here among the cedar, cottonwood, and elm.

You will surely prevail if you seek out the dale
And rough musings for the wannabe millionaire.
But do exercise reserve, your energy preserve
As you start circling the grounds of White Bear.
Explanation:
Just southwest of the medallion’s site on Lake Avenue is a home with the words “Prairie Sanctuary” printed on it, which was tipped off in this clue with the words “sanctum of grass.”  Homes (“structures”) exist opposite of the medallion’s location from White Bear Lake (“object of blue”).  The medallion was hidden near a wooden footbridge made out of cedar, very close to a giant cottonwood tree, and a plaque that speaks of the elm tree that is part of the legend of White Bear Lake.  The second stanza hints at bench along Lake Avenue near the dog beach.  It is dedicated to Dale Ross Montgomery and has a large wooden inscription that reads, “If I had a nickel for every time my dog made me smile, I’d be a millionaire.” The word “rough” -- or “ruff”-- also tried to make a connection to dogs.  The last line of the clue also hinted that the medallion was hidden on the ground.
 
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Clue #3
Published on Saturday, June 17, 2017
Her silent story could be seen as hoary
Yet, an elder she is not.
Diametrical thought will get you hot
96 will inch you closer to the spot.

We like to frame a mystery with a little history
In life, it always seems to have the final word.
A rainbow connection enables inspection
For those things to be seen, not heard.
Explanation:
The first stanza referred to a very large and old cottonwood tree very near where the medallion was hidden.  We measured the circumference around the tree and, with a little math, found the diameter (“diametrical thought”) to be 96 inches! That is approximately 200 years old! The second stanza pointed to an ongoing device. A plaque titled “The Dakota Legend of White Bear Lake” could be found just steps from the medallion’s location and cottonwood tree mentioned earlier in the clue. Every written stanza for this hunt ended with a word from that plaque (“history...always seems to have the final word”).  The last two lines of the clue referred to the word “iris.”  The word means “rainbow” in Greek and is an organ of the eye (“enables inspection” & “things to be seen”).  The medallion was hidden beside a clump of wild iris on the edge of a marshy area of the park.
 
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Clue #4
Published on Sunday, June 18, 2017
When you’re not privy to see, imagination is key
Think out of the box; exercise your dome or bean.
Also, use your shoes to buy shingles and screws
Before some moss shuffles it all to another scene.

If you’re seeking fame in our cooperative game
You must save the treasures from doom.
The gifts you’ll keep if you can avoid the deep
All while adding a feather to your plume.
Explanation:
The first stanza hinted at the home of J.B. Tarbox, located on Manitou Island. “You are not privy to see” referred to the fact that the island is private and not accessible to visitors.  The name Tarbox itself was tipped off with “out of the box.” The cottage was designed in 1889 by Cass Gilbert, the man who also designed the Minnesota State Capitol building (“use your dome”).  Tarbox was a shoe manufacturer  (“use your shoes to buy shingles and screws”) and together with Gilbert created what is now considered to be the best example of “shingle-style” cottage.  The home was later moved from its original location to its current location by E.W. Peet (“some moss”).  The second stanza refers to the game Forbidden Island, developed by Matt Lecock and published by Gamewright in 2010. Working as a team (“cooperative game”), participants attempt to locate and airlift four treasures from a forbidden island before drowning (“avoid the deep”). The title of the game hints at nearby Manitou Island, which is private property and “forbidden” to the general public.
 
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Clue #5
Published on Monday, June 19, 2017
Our site does harbor true memories of a barber
And a moving holiday that sometimes sings.
Look here when it’s gray, yonder saint won’t betray
It’s the stuff from which true tradition springs.

With art long gone, shan’t you look on?
Summer can be so destabilizing.
Do well by you, double your view
In the direction of dawn’s rising.
Explanation:
This first line refers to Benny Schmalzbauer, who founded Benny’s Barber Shop, and his legendary role of calling “ice out” on White Bear Lake for decades until his death in 2001. In a White Bear Press article from March 2017, the current ice out date keeper, retired Coldwell Banker-Burnet agent Jan Holtz, shared some secrets. On a cloudy day, she will look for ice out at Matoska Park from the Manitou Bridge (the article contained a picture of Schmalzbauer and Kraemer at the bridge as he was showing her the ropes).  The clincher for calling “ice out” is a clear St. Germain’s Bay on the other side of the lake (“yonder saint”).  As ice is melting and refreezing it can “sing” and the ice out date, a local day of celebration, changes from year to year.  The second stanza hinted at the Art Shanty Projects, which were set up to the north at Ramsey County Beach.  They could be seen from the medallion’s hiding place when we were planning this winter. They certainly can’t last long-term because of the warm weather melting the ice. Shanty was tipped off with “shant y​ou.”  The third line contained the words “well” and “double your view.”  Two water wells are located to the north of the site, just beyond a tree dedicated to Dawn Haldorson (“dawn’s rising”).
 
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Clue #6
Published on Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Through the years, they evoke laughter and tears
And inspire the words, “Remember when?”
As far as memories go, our graduates will know
Where to relive them again and again.

Amid political wars, eliminate walls and doors
Consider all sides; dialogue forms an on-ramp.
Avoid throwing shade, there’s friends to be made
Take steps to bring more into your inner camp.
Explanation:
A high school yearbook is described in the first stanza.  In White Bear Lake, that book is called The Matoskan, revealing the name of the park in which the medallion was hidden.  The second half of the clue described the Erd-Geist two-story gazebo in the park with the words “eliminate walls and doors,” “all sides,” “shade,” and “take steps.”  The medallion was hidden south of the gazebo.
 
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Clue #7
Published on Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Natural paving withstood caving
Gawkers said it was quite sleek.
Proceed with great care, take her there
Find it and she will shriek!

Gym rats come and go, perhaps donning yellow
Wandering around, both here and there.
Their heartbeats racing in hopes of replacing
Exercising their instinct like a mad panther.
Explanation:
In January of 2009, the old island caretaker’s (“care, take her”) home was moved from Manitou Island to its new home on 6th Street, between Lake and Johnson Avenues. Water was pumped onto the site to create a thicker bank of ice on which the house could travel (“natural paving”) and it was able to support the 60 ton home (“withstood caving”).  The second stanza referred to the two Pokemon Go “gyms” found at Matoska Park.  One gym is located at the historical placard used to craft all of clues for this hunt and another at the bench mentioned in clue two. In the game, one of the three teams is called Instinct, and is represented by the color yellow. Both of the words “instinct” and “yellow” are mentioned in the clue.
 
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Clue #8
Published on Thursday, June 22, 2017
To make your final grab, start at the old slab
And begin bookin’ on your 939-step hike.
By the dude you’ll pass, and jewels under glass
Ignore the ban en route to lucky strike.

The key is to behold a place that’s gone gold
You’ll then hear the roar – don’t be alarmed!
Keep on cookin’ for there’s even better lookin’
Away from this place that’s lies unarmed.

White diamonds amid green are easily seen
A fruity font is also somehow connected.
Yonder in the center you shall not enter
But see the conifers that are artificially erected.

Nearing final confession, these hints in succession
Link treasure’s spot to yester spruce.
Count stanzas and go - the way you know
All the way to wood, grass, and sluice.
Explanation:
This clue took hunters on a 939-step trek down 4th street (“count the stanzas” to arrive at four) from last year’s site to Matoska Park, citing many landmarks along the way in the order that they would be passed (“hints in succession”).  The walk begins at the “old slab” in Railroad Park used in the final clue of last year’s hunt. “Bookin’” pointed to Lake Country Booksellers; “the dude” to Chicos; “Jewels under glass” to Joel B. Sherburne Jewelers; “Ignore the ban” told hunters to cross Banning Street; “Key” pointed to Keys Restaurant; “Gone gold” to the Alchemist bar; “Roar” and “unarmed” referred to the Armory, which is now ran by the Lion’s Club and no longer functioning as a traditional armory; “Keep on cookin’” brought hunters across Cook Avenue; “White diamonds among green” referred to a style of window shutters found at 2242 4th Street; and “Fruity font” referred to a pineapple fountain found in the front of 2256 4th Street.  From here a “Do Not Enter” sign could be seen the end of 4th Street.  Finally, artificial pine trees could be found at 4763 Lake Avenue, both near the house and near the lake. Those 939 steps should have brought you to the edge of the park where you could see a stormwater drainage area (“sluice”), on a side of which the medallion was hidden.
 
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Clue #9
Published on Friday, June 23, 2017
Take your secret, dagger, and rockin’ swagger
Near to the scene of one legendary fight.
They lived out their dream long after her scream
With kids rollicking on that hide of white.

Dogs do wade, but resist being swayed
Don’t venture over -- it’s just too far of a hike!
Mind your manners: move between paths and banners
There a grounded hunter will make a lucky strike.

When it comes to the clues, you’ve certainly paid your dues
“It’s all greek to me!” -- we’ve heard your tune.
Clue 3’s rainbow of sight is truly your guiding light
‘Tis a type of plant growing under the summer moon
Explanation:
The first stanza spoke up the legend of the legend of white bear, placing the medallion at Matoska Park.  The second half of the clue made mention of the dog beach on the other side of the park.  The medallion was hidden between two paved paths and two flags: one atop the gazebo and the other in the yard of 4763 Lake Avenue. “Grounded” instructed hunters to look for the medallion on the ground. Lastly, hunters are again brought back to considering a hint from Clue #3, the iris plant next to which the medallion was hidden.
 
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Clue #10
By now it is known that anticipation has grown
Near a bridge that is privately protected.
Leaving that one alone, we found our own
And beside it Walton remains un-detected.

Go tip-toeing around some wet, soupy ground
From bridge to road -- a dozen or so steps in measure.
Seek out iris, not weeds -- or swaying reeds
And you’ll harvest this year’s living treasure.
Explanation:
Final directions to the 2017 treasure.
 
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