This time, medallion seekers were challenged

• 2011 River Falls Days medallion hunt winners

The annual medallion hunt ended with this happy group finding the prize. Front row left to right: Jenna Huppert and Tyler Penny. Back row left to right: Michele Gutting-Huppert, Corey Huppert, and Dylan Penny. Photo courtesy of the RF Chamber of Commerce and Tourism

Talk about it

The River Falls Chamber of Commerce began posting medallion-hunt clues first thing Friday morning. Hardly anyone could believe that even after the next-to-the last clue was posted at 4 p.m. Saturday, the coveted medallion still hadn’t been found.

A group of five discovered the prized piece of wood around 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the tall grass of Hoffman Park East.

Michele Gutting-Huppert, Corey Huppert, Jenna Huppert, Dylan Penny and Tyler Penny will receive the $200 prize paid for finding it.

Chamber Event and Program Coordinator Nick Carstens said Saturday that the feedback in recent years has indicated that the medallion was too easy to find, so this year, the Chamber toughened the chase.

Carstens said it may have thrown some people that Hoffman Park East hasn’t always been an official part of Hoffman Park but was made so within the past year.

Where would you have looked?

Carstens says he posted a total of nine clues — four the first day, four the second day and the last one on Sunday about 1 p.m.

Superheroes are you ready to do this again?

Now is when the search for me begins.

Clue #1

I’m a golden block of wood

With my name on the front.

I’ll smile at if you if I could

But I’m a tough one to hunt.

To the Chamber you will bring me

And the money is yours.

Happy you’ll be

As you walk in the doors.

As always, public property is where I’ll be

But don’t bother climbing the Mayor’s tree.

Clue #2

Last year many said to find me was too easy….

So this year it will be more difficult to find me…

Thirteen different parks dot our lovely town.

Pick the right one and turn your frown upside down.

Clue #3

I can feel the electricity in the air.

Hike to find me if you dare.

There are many places for me to hide.

Where you should look is for you to decide.

Clue #4

It is starting to get hot and the bugs are getting thick.

Oh why, oh why, was it this spot I picked?

Search for heroes Batman, The Flash and Spike

Hopefully you have brought along your bike.

Clue #5

Did you camp out last night to get your next clue?

The super medallion hunters – that’s what they do.

When we get lots of rain a kayak you may see.

In the summer I am the place to be.

Clue #6

Have any of you yet been on the mound?

I do not know if that is where I will be found.

Fifty-three acres is a large space.

Get to me first. This is a race.

Clue #7

Move to the east if you don’t mind.

The further east you go the easier I will be to find.

Do not look high for I am down low.

It sure would be nice if they would mow.

Clue #8

Hoffman East is where I be.

Look in the weeds to find me;

In the middle and further to the east.

Find this thing and let’s end this beast.

Clue #9

You should probably take with you a stick,

So at the ground you can pick.

Go to the second gap in the trees.

And line up with Jacqueline Street.

To the medallion you are now near.

Sorry I can’t make it any more clear.

Look in the base of the weeds please.

You may have to be down on your knees.

Carstens said that last line must have been the clincher for discovery because, “The guy who actually found it was climbing on his hands and knees.”

Tags: river falls, communities, entertainment