Clue Explanations from the Cluemeister
When you've been doing something for twenty-five years, you run the risk of becoming stale. Your actions can become habitual. Worse, you become predictable. As Cluemeister it was time to entertain some changes while staying true to the basic design of the hunt that has been part of its long-term popularity.
Over time I had begun to lessen my use of outside resources like the phone book or a local map. They had lost some of their relevance. Plus the speed and resources of advancing technology put much greater information in the hands of hunters much quicker. By adding the ubiquitous telephone keypad and song titles as new references, I hoped to remind hunters that the hunt is as much a mental exercise as it is a physical one. Speed of technology should be a tool, not the sole source of possible outcome. Finally, I know that many people work the hunt from afar. A brainteaser would give them an opportunity to contribute as much as family or a friend could back home. With that in mind, here are my explanations. Remember, that others often read a clue differently and still find relevance that leads them to the right location. That's what makes this whole game a thing of beauty.
Clue # 1
As always, the first clue is either a set-up clue or provides veiled, indirect references. "Pepsi" is the first reference. It's colors are red, white, and blue. There is a flag pole not far from the sight. "Build the excitement" refers to the many youth and adult programs that are conducted at the Center. "Part of the game" also refers to the many varied activities at Soldwedel. In the second verse, "normally" was a playful reference to normal- as in temperature-98 degrees or, Route 98. Later clues would refer to heat and, if still going-the words "is your temperature rising" was planned for later clues. "Travel" meant you had to travel some distance to find it. "Betwixt and between" refers to the items that the Medallion would be hidden with, and the fact that the hiding place was between the Center and the edge of the long nature trail adjacent to Soldwedel. "Wind this up" referred to the rope enclosure on the bottom level on the Center's north side. "Clarify" is a veiled cell phone reference.
Clue # 2
As the hunt would progress and the references become more direct, a simple visit to the sight would make "things fairly obvious". They simply stand out. "Need of support" refers to the huge deck that is a noteworthy part of the Soldwedel Center. "Bring it all together" is a distant reference to the electronic and media service of "bundling". This was a set-up for later introduction of the telephone key pad. If you studied Pekin public services websites- in this case the Pekin Park District's and went to the page referring to the Soldwedel Center you would, in a sense, "observe" many of the references that are in that "report". The second verse deals with my personal hunt history. My first and 15th hunt were both in Tante Park. A follower of hunt history may have sought a pattern there, but I "broke with my past". I also have used the Pekin phonebook before but I was breaking with that "pattern" and "past" as well. There is a fire pit on the Center's north side and a standing fireplace right off the nature trail. In both cases they are meant for fires that are "not meant to last". It is also a veiled reference to the constant obsolescence of today's cell phones.
Clue # 3
In the first verse, the hunter is being prepared for the eventual use of numbers "Not clear" is a phone signal reference and "annoy" refers to the same plus informs you that the number reference will perhaps be difficult. The second verse refers to my general observations of the architectural design of the Soldwedel Center building. There are many notable "angles" within the design. While three separate buildings lent itself to best usage for its intended tenants- the Girl Scouts- it seems simpler to the casual observer to build just one large building. It's a "difference that works but doesn't make sense". Bottom line, it's "a thing of beauty".
Clue # 4
"Rings" refers to the fire pit and the circular base of the flag pole. "Leave" and "knock it" refer to wood- or the adjacent woods. The general clearing around the Center and the woods provide a real "distinction" with the area's characteristics. "Slice" refers to some of the tree stumps in the area as well as the fact that the Soldwedel Center has a kitchen. "Many sides" refers to the six-sided fire pit. "Something is missing" refers to the "empty trailer pad near the Center's entrance and the fact that the buildings have no gutters. A new road was "added" as well as men's bathrooms since, as a former Girl Scout camp, they were never needed. Today's Center users have to "select carefully" because they "have to abide" by those new restrooms. (I know it's a stretch, but hey, it's still only Clue #4).
Clue # 5
The first two lines are descriptive of the three buildings. In the Olympics, the medal winners stand on a podium where the middle stand is taller than the outer two. That describes the three buildings that comprise the Soldwedel Center. "Standing tall" refers to the center building and to the trees around the complex. I begin the telephone keypad tool with "Seven, six or five" which contain the letters S-O-L. "Signals" is a telephone reference. "Remember what I told you earlier" deals with the use of counting and numbers in Clue 3. "Not as spoon fed" refers to the many "forks" in the nature trail and again to the Center's kitchen. "Partners help provide good direction" relates to some of the nature hikes that are conducted there and "beneath them" refers to the trees.
Clue #6
As mentioned, this is where I brought in the musical reference. Two songs from the musical "The Music Man" could have taken a hunter to the former Girl Scout Camp. "Goodnight Ladies" and "The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl" both apply. "Give yourself a workout" hinted at the amount of walking and bending and searching that would be required to get there. "Circumference" referred to the fire pit, the flag pole base, and the tree stumps. In the second verse we get back to the use of numbers reminding people that it represented a change from past references. "Stay in your space" referred to the many trails and paths near the Center, especially the one that the medallion was hidden near.
Clue #7
This was the clue released after the hunt interruption. "Think of five" turned the hunter's attention to Clue Five that introduced the importance of numbers to the hunt. A pedagogue is a teacher of children.
My "pedagogic nature" was not a personal description but referred to "teaching children nature or simply "teaching nature". The Soldwedel Center is known for doing both. In verse two I again refer to numbers and "heat" refers to the fire pit and fire place. The last two lines complete the numbers which on a telephone keypad- if put together properly- will spell out "Soldwedel". Lastly, the Center is available for rental. Of course, to do so, would require a "reservation".
Clue #8
The Clincher. With a surprising rain that morning, I wanted to warn people of the possible slipperyness that my spotters encountered when searching for the missing medallion after the previous Friday and Saturday's deluge. "Open skies and short trip into the shade" pointed to the wooded area immediately to the west. "Program" related to part of the Center's title- Soldwedel Program Center. The rest of the verse warned the hunter away from possible risks. It also narrowed the scope of physical reference. I struggled with the second verse but finally decided that I needed to clarify the numerical clue. Throwing in the phrase "phone it in" clearly defined my intent. Those words were changed at the last minute figuring it might still take some time to figure it out. Apparently I underestimated the skill and quickness of many hunters because it didn't take Jon Flynn- and many others- very long to figure it out. Finally, "touch" was both a telephone keypad reference and pointed to the many handprints that border the base to the flag pole.
This hunt was truly "one for the ages!" From having gone missing, to the fire alarm at the Center, and finally to Wednesday morning's surprise rain, it probably contained as much excitement and stress for me as it did most hunters. But it came to a successful conclusion. It is always gratifying when the finder is both someone who earned it and has been a devoted hunter for a long time. It's proof that perseverance pays off....just like in life.
Congratulations to Jon Flynn! Great Job! I feel safe in assuming that he'll be back at it next year. He'd likely tell you that while it's fantastic to find the medallion, it's still fun to simply look. Like him, I hope that you and yours had fun. Thank you for being a part of it.
Gary Gillis
Cluemeister.....Since 1988....and still going.......for now.
Over time I had begun to lessen my use of outside resources like the phone book or a local map. They had lost some of their relevance. Plus the speed and resources of advancing technology put much greater information in the hands of hunters much quicker. By adding the ubiquitous telephone keypad and song titles as new references, I hoped to remind hunters that the hunt is as much a mental exercise as it is a physical one. Speed of technology should be a tool, not the sole source of possible outcome. Finally, I know that many people work the hunt from afar. A brainteaser would give them an opportunity to contribute as much as family or a friend could back home. With that in mind, here are my explanations. Remember, that others often read a clue differently and still find relevance that leads them to the right location. That's what makes this whole game a thing of beauty.
Clue # 1
As always, the first clue is either a set-up clue or provides veiled, indirect references. "Pepsi" is the first reference. It's colors are red, white, and blue. There is a flag pole not far from the sight. "Build the excitement" refers to the many youth and adult programs that are conducted at the Center. "Part of the game" also refers to the many varied activities at Soldwedel. In the second verse, "normally" was a playful reference to normal- as in temperature-98 degrees or, Route 98. Later clues would refer to heat and, if still going-the words "is your temperature rising" was planned for later clues. "Travel" meant you had to travel some distance to find it. "Betwixt and between" refers to the items that the Medallion would be hidden with, and the fact that the hiding place was between the Center and the edge of the long nature trail adjacent to Soldwedel. "Wind this up" referred to the rope enclosure on the bottom level on the Center's north side. "Clarify" is a veiled cell phone reference.
Clue # 2
As the hunt would progress and the references become more direct, a simple visit to the sight would make "things fairly obvious". They simply stand out. "Need of support" refers to the huge deck that is a noteworthy part of the Soldwedel Center. "Bring it all together" is a distant reference to the electronic and media service of "bundling". This was a set-up for later introduction of the telephone key pad. If you studied Pekin public services websites- in this case the Pekin Park District's and went to the page referring to the Soldwedel Center you would, in a sense, "observe" many of the references that are in that "report". The second verse deals with my personal hunt history. My first and 15th hunt were both in Tante Park. A follower of hunt history may have sought a pattern there, but I "broke with my past". I also have used the Pekin phonebook before but I was breaking with that "pattern" and "past" as well. There is a fire pit on the Center's north side and a standing fireplace right off the nature trail. In both cases they are meant for fires that are "not meant to last". It is also a veiled reference to the constant obsolescence of today's cell phones.
Clue # 3
In the first verse, the hunter is being prepared for the eventual use of numbers "Not clear" is a phone signal reference and "annoy" refers to the same plus informs you that the number reference will perhaps be difficult. The second verse refers to my general observations of the architectural design of the Soldwedel Center building. There are many notable "angles" within the design. While three separate buildings lent itself to best usage for its intended tenants- the Girl Scouts- it seems simpler to the casual observer to build just one large building. It's a "difference that works but doesn't make sense". Bottom line, it's "a thing of beauty".
Clue # 4
"Rings" refers to the fire pit and the circular base of the flag pole. "Leave" and "knock it" refer to wood- or the adjacent woods. The general clearing around the Center and the woods provide a real "distinction" with the area's characteristics. "Slice" refers to some of the tree stumps in the area as well as the fact that the Soldwedel Center has a kitchen. "Many sides" refers to the six-sided fire pit. "Something is missing" refers to the "empty trailer pad near the Center's entrance and the fact that the buildings have no gutters. A new road was "added" as well as men's bathrooms since, as a former Girl Scout camp, they were never needed. Today's Center users have to "select carefully" because they "have to abide" by those new restrooms. (I know it's a stretch, but hey, it's still only Clue #4).
Clue # 5
The first two lines are descriptive of the three buildings. In the Olympics, the medal winners stand on a podium where the middle stand is taller than the outer two. That describes the three buildings that comprise the Soldwedel Center. "Standing tall" refers to the center building and to the trees around the complex. I begin the telephone keypad tool with "Seven, six or five" which contain the letters S-O-L. "Signals" is a telephone reference. "Remember what I told you earlier" deals with the use of counting and numbers in Clue 3. "Not as spoon fed" refers to the many "forks" in the nature trail and again to the Center's kitchen. "Partners help provide good direction" relates to some of the nature hikes that are conducted there and "beneath them" refers to the trees.
Clue #6
As mentioned, this is where I brought in the musical reference. Two songs from the musical "The Music Man" could have taken a hunter to the former Girl Scout Camp. "Goodnight Ladies" and "The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl" both apply. "Give yourself a workout" hinted at the amount of walking and bending and searching that would be required to get there. "Circumference" referred to the fire pit, the flag pole base, and the tree stumps. In the second verse we get back to the use of numbers reminding people that it represented a change from past references. "Stay in your space" referred to the many trails and paths near the Center, especially the one that the medallion was hidden near.
Clue #7
This was the clue released after the hunt interruption. "Think of five" turned the hunter's attention to Clue Five that introduced the importance of numbers to the hunt. A pedagogue is a teacher of children.
My "pedagogic nature" was not a personal description but referred to "teaching children nature or simply "teaching nature". The Soldwedel Center is known for doing both. In verse two I again refer to numbers and "heat" refers to the fire pit and fire place. The last two lines complete the numbers which on a telephone keypad- if put together properly- will spell out "Soldwedel". Lastly, the Center is available for rental. Of course, to do so, would require a "reservation".
Clue #8
The Clincher. With a surprising rain that morning, I wanted to warn people of the possible slipperyness that my spotters encountered when searching for the missing medallion after the previous Friday and Saturday's deluge. "Open skies and short trip into the shade" pointed to the wooded area immediately to the west. "Program" related to part of the Center's title- Soldwedel Program Center. The rest of the verse warned the hunter away from possible risks. It also narrowed the scope of physical reference. I struggled with the second verse but finally decided that I needed to clarify the numerical clue. Throwing in the phrase "phone it in" clearly defined my intent. Those words were changed at the last minute figuring it might still take some time to figure it out. Apparently I underestimated the skill and quickness of many hunters because it didn't take Jon Flynn- and many others- very long to figure it out. Finally, "touch" was both a telephone keypad reference and pointed to the many handprints that border the base to the flag pole.
This hunt was truly "one for the ages!" From having gone missing, to the fire alarm at the Center, and finally to Wednesday morning's surprise rain, it probably contained as much excitement and stress for me as it did most hunters. But it came to a successful conclusion. It is always gratifying when the finder is both someone who earned it and has been a devoted hunter for a long time. It's proof that perseverance pays off....just like in life.
Congratulations to Jon Flynn! Great Job! I feel safe in assuming that he'll be back at it next year. He'd likely tell you that while it's fantastic to find the medallion, it's still fun to simply look. Like him, I hope that you and yours had fun. Thank you for being a part of it.
Gary Gillis
Cluemeister.....Since 1988....and still going.......for now.
