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Welcome to CoolerCrew.com. While our "big show" has always been the annual Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt during the St. Paul Winter Carnival, we keep track of over 100 treasure hunts associated with various festivals throughout Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. We are your one stop shop for all things treasure hunt! Apart from this site as a reference for current and past hunt information, we have other resources available as well:

  • The Water Cooler, Our forums; our primary discussion site. A significant number of Coolerheads prefer this format for discussion rather than a place with hundreds of topics where you have to keep track of each one. With Ableminds crashing, we figure it's time to get it working here. 
  • Our Treasure Hunt discussion group on Facebook. 
  • Our Facebook group for discussing things not related to the treasure hunt.
  • St. Paul Car Tag, a fun little game that we play when we're not looking for medallions.

You'll find that there isn't a lot of discussion in the Facebook group. Mostly clues as they come out for various hunts, and events like our annual Pre-dig Gig and Rehash Bash. Most of that can be found right here within this site. There tends to be a lot more discussion, particularly during the Pioneer Press hunt on Ableminds, or out in the park du jour during other hunts. Have a look around and feel free to join us. Hunt kickoffs, pity parties, and rehashes are always open to anyone who wants to show up!

And if you run into someone in the park and you want to know if they're a Coolerhead, just holler "you dig?". 

Terry's picture

Rehash Bash 2002 at Merriam Park

Merriam Park

January 27th, 2002

Could there possibly be a better way to mourn the end of another hunt than rehashing the whole thing with others equally let down from a hunt—and a hunt that seemed way too short? I think not!

At least one hundred mourners gathered this afternoon at Merriam Park to share a fabulous potluck with other hunters of the St. Paul Winter Carnival Medallion Hunt. The meal included Rehash Goulash, Minnesota Wild Rice Casserole, Devil's Den Eggs, Medallion Candy, Ian's Sloppy Joe Medallions, and lots of chips—especially of the Pringle variety.

That Was Quick

The medallion was found between two baseball fields by Mary Kay Hamilton of Woodbury and her son, Sean, 16. The fast find was tied for the second-quickest in hunt history. It may have been a lucky kick in the leaves this year, but it sounds like mom has paid her dues...even if she forgot to pay for a button this year. Read the clue explanations and some commentary on these explanations in our 2002 area.

Terry's picture

Predig Gig 2002 at McGovern's

Patrick McGovern's

January 19th, 2002

Amazement is the word that comes to mind about this year's predig party at McGovern's. There had to be by evening's end at least 100 people that had come and gone.

We took over an upstairs room at McGovern's. The room probably holds 50 people or so comfortably, but as usual, some folks came early and left, others came later, and some of us were there from beginning to end. We had the room packed.

Documentary Features Hunt

As 2001 marked the 50th medallion hunt, special attention was given to last year's dig. One addition you may have seen on the plains of our public parks was a documentary film crew. Trent Tooley and Jackie Garry of Not Another Hollywood Film (NAHF) were shooting a documentary about the hunt called "No Time for Cold Feet." They promised to be back for 2002. You're encouraged to learn more about the project by visiting the NAHF site.

Terry's picture

2001 Rehash Bash Re-Cap

Como Park (West Picnic Grounds)

February 4th, 2001

I'm thinking close to 100 people were at the Rehash Bash; someone else thought more like 75. With folks coming and going, it's hard to tell...but this is definitely a growing phenonomen.

The Pioneer Press had a Coolerheads 2001 banner for the Torchlight Parade the night before, which we get to keep. We put it up in the shelter at the Rehash Bash. Thanks go out to "Mom and Dad" who brought propane heaters; we were able to stay reasonably warm in that kind of damp, Minnesota cold with a bit of a breeze and no sun.

This is Just Too Good

Excellent Insight

(from Water Cooler post)

Dickaroo, Jan 26, 2001 CST

Not everyone understands the hunt. It definitely gets in your blood. You've studied the clues. You know exactly where it is. You grab a tool (shovel, hoe, we all have our preference) and you head to the site with the true belief that it is a matter of getting out of the car, and picking up the prize. You can taste it.

Terry's picture

Predig Gig 2001 at McGovern's

Patrick McGovern's

Thought I'd try to give the general flavor of the McGovern's gathering.

Thanks for Volunteerin'!

Thanks to everyone that is helping with the article archive project. We've accomplished a lot, but there's plenty more to do! A mailing address is the only thing needed to get on the archival bandwagon. Cooler Crew is always looking for folks to help bring our vast library of past medallion lore into the modern era. Basically, we need some good keyboard hands. If you're interested in doing something to help create a wonderful piece of Minnesota history, this is where we need you the most. Please inquire with Greg Sax.

Pages

Cooler Crew -- A History

During the 1990's, the St Paul Pioneer Press opened online discussion forums. These forums were called Water Coolers. The forums had discussion topics related to sports, politics, news, and current events. Each year, the Pioneer Planet — the online section of the Pioneer Press — opened a discussion forum as a media for hunters to discuss the clues for the Winter Carnival Medallion Hunt.

During the earlier years, one might find a few hundred posts during the hunt. As more hunters had computers, those numbers jumped. From 1997 to 1998, the number of posts increased from the hundreds to the 5-digit thousands. It was during the 1998 hunt the Cooler Crew was born.

The community spirit and teamwork displayed in the Pioneer Press Medallion Hunt thread was inspiring. The group of hunters found themselves at the end of a hunt not wanting to let go of new friendships and the camaraderie found on the Water Cooler board. The idea emerged to do what anyone would do in the middle of winter in Minnesota. A picnic in Cherokee was planned - the first Rehash Bash!

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