Clue Explanations

When I decided earlier this year to continue as Cluemeister, I thought I'd change things up to add the opportunity for more "armchair quarterbacking". So I threw in some references that called for a slightly different level of research. 

The references in Clue Five to "the III- or The Third" was a brain teaser that, once figured out, the hunter might determine that they follow "Junior and Senior" as a multi- generational progression. In Clue Six I had "Nine and MJ's number" that added up to 32. This related to "degrees" and at 32 degrees we may have snow, as in Pekin's popular sledding location. Clue Seven was heated up quite a bit. I was always concerned about being disruptive to the High School. Discovery on the weekend would have been ideal. In the end it worked out well. Here are the clues and brief explanations.

Clue 1: 

We arrive as we should at the beginning. 

The time has come to find your prize. 

Hidden with care and caution 

Not so easy for prying eyes. 

As always I'll guide you with various colors; 

What they are may not always be. 

I'll defer eventual reveals 

Yet a discerning detective might actually see. 

Explanation: "Hidden with care and caution" relates to how well hidden the medallion was. Therefore its discovery would be a bit more difficult and "not so easy for prying eyes". The second verse introduces colors with a twist- the red on the park marquis is a Message Board with constantly changing messages. So " the messages-change and then are gone. Therefore "what they are may not always be". "Defer eventual reveals" shows my intent to come back to them depending on how many clues would be needed to get to the prize.

Clue 2: 

To write clues you must have two faces 

One quiet and one on the go. 

Think can think in a matrix or just be simple 

While sending every hunter to and fro. 

You might need a compass to guide you. 

Don't get lost in your attempt. 

Watch for things that might make you itch. 

And come out of this all unkempt. 

Explanation: "Two faces"- the very different sides of the area- especially north and south. "Quiet" is the south side. "On the go" is the north- where cars are always passing. Matrix relates to an entity surrounded by another. The wooded hiding place stands alone within PCHS and in view of the Park District. "Compass" relates to the possible approaches to the area- especially stadium drive which starts or finishes at court or parkway-two different directions. In the last half of the second verse, the key word is "unkempt" relating to the area of collected brush and broken up concrete.

Clue #3 

Oh the air is crisp and clear 

As I look to my left and right. 

While things look so similar 

In truth they are different sights. 

There are a number of ways to work this. 

Allow your mind to be free 

Accumulation and determination 

Places for them places for me. 

Explanation: The first verse deals with the Park District on one side of a large section of Stadium Dr and PCHS on the other. The second verse introduces "numbers" being a reference. "accumulation" is the pile of brush nearby. "Determination" deals with studiousness. "Places for them" is the High School and "places for me" is the Park Dist- used by all of us.

Clue #4 

I've said for years this should be hard. 

I know you think I'm wrong. 

Step by step and bit by bit 

The journey often seems long. 

Stand together like a dynamic duo. 

Move up or straight ahead, 

Rules are important to hunters 

A warning plus so much that's said. 

Explanation: "Hard" refers to the concrete. "Step by step" means you have to walk some distance to get to it. "Journey often seems long" speaks to the work that goes into completing high school. In the second verse, "dynamic duo" is another euphemism for the Park District and District 303 which geographically "stand together". "Move up or straight ahead" relates to the fact that you must either climb the hill or go across from the parking lot to get to the spot. "Rules" refer to the street signs nearby. "Warning" relates to red for the park marquis, that changes all the time so there's "so much that's said".

Clue #5 

Alec Baldwin, A King George, 

Desi Arnaz and even Luke Perry. 

Names with something in common. 

Research well and do not tarry. 

Look high and low very carefully, 

Things standing out not always seen. 

So many natural surroundings. 

Part of a broken sea of green. 

Explanation: The names listed are all followed by "III". Alec Baldwin III etc. that means they followed a "Junior and Senior", a reference to High School. In the second verse, I referred to the Military Banners that are hung along Parkway Dr. They have not always been there. The area has a lot of green space as "natural surroundings". "Broken sea of green" refers to the streets criss-crossing the area.

Clue #6 

Nine and MJ's most popular number 

Add up to lead the way 

It can be thrilling when you grasp it 

Ride carefully I should say. 

If you think about it 

It's as plain as black and white 

Focus on the contextual 

Think further and you'll be right. 

Explanation: In the first verse the equation adds up to 32. 32 degrees is the temperature that can lead to snow in winter. One of Pekin's popular sledding areas is near the hiding spot. "It can be thrilling" relates to sledding and "grasp" and "ride" applies to it as well. "Black and White" in the second verse speaks to the theme in this clue of snow. "Black" relates to the parking lot at the top of the sledding hill. The last two lines tell the Hunter to think in context as to the winter application within the entirety of the clue.

Clue 7 

We enjoy the changing seasons 

Since they all add up to fun... 

Generations have enjoyed it 

What precedes the names in five-let's get this done. 

An east- west road below us may guide you. 

Describes something not used this time of year. 

Nearby woods are thick I remind you 

They're too small for any deer. 

Explanation: In the first two lines the seasons add up to four- as in four years of high school. The next two lines go back to Clue Five and the reference to "III" or the "third"- they are preceded by Junior and Senior. In the second verse, the east-west road is Toboggan- "something not used this time of year". Also, PCHS was once comprised of a East and West Campus. The last two lines refer to the small wooded area where the medallion was hidden.

Congratulations to Angie and Patrick Bumbalough. They join a handful of accomplished hunters who have found it more than once. 

Clue 7 was released at 6:30 am. I received the call about 40 minutes later. A number of other hunters were in the vicinity. Such is the dedication and determination of hunters. And, what a testimony to the popularity of the Pepsi-Marigold Medallion Hunt. 

Thank you. 

Gary Gillis 

Cluemeister