2019 Clue Explanation

Choosing the Pekin Park Sports Complex as the Medallion’s hiding location was a calculated risk.  With few hiding locations and many years of hearing it being on many hunters “short list”, I knew that I would have to approach the clue design carefully.  In many hunts I’ve been able to cast a wide net.  Specific references can be plentiful in many chosen areas.   But at the Sports Complex the bushes and trees are sparse and the buildings few.  So I knew I’d have to go “deep”,  using information and broad application that would force much investigation before the taxing physical aspects of the hunt.  


In recent years there have been those followers voicing their belief that the hiding location should be more accessible to those with wheelchairs or strollers.  While anyone can contribute to the mental side of a hunt, guaranteeing accessibility would change the entire construct of the event.  But this year, I was drawn to do my best to accommodate those wishes.  The hiding spot was mere feet from the trail that circles the playing fields.


Here is each clue and the explanations.

CLUE #1

Back again my hunting friends;

No break until next summer.

A visceral reaction is motivation.

Open your mind and don’t feel encumbered.



A careful examination of my evidence

You won’t see the forest from the trees.

We all should learn the lessons of history.

And see life as a matter of degrees.



The first clue is typically a set up clue, introducing the themes or concepts I’ve chosen to use.  In recent years I’ve created a small placement pattern of hiding it in-town, then out of town, then back in”. Back again” refers to that the medallion is “in town” as it was last year.  “Break” tells that I am breaking that “in town-out of town” pattern.


The land for this park was purchased by an anonymous donor who wanted to see an area dedicated to youth sports and activity.  While I can never speak for that persons true motivation, such a high level of generosity and passionate interest in their community, had to be driven by a deep emotional desire.  Therein lies  their “visceral reaction”.



In the second verse, “not seeing the forest from the trees”, let’s the hunter know that while there are plenty of trees, it’s not part of a greater forest. “”We all should know our history” is a lesson to the use of two historical references I planned for later.  The first is a specific one-a mailbox on 5th Street with the number “1620” on it- the year the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. That was planned for Cue 5.  The Sports Complex is part of an evolving park district response to the changing face of sports and recreational interest.  While the community simply enjoyed Mineral Springs Park as a softball venue for years, eventually the land upon Broadway was acquired for soccer and Coal Miners Park became the home of youth football.


The  Sports Complex combined them all, making it part of a greater historical progression.  “Degrees” relates to the varying topographical heights of the park as its elevation slopes downward from east to west.“. Koch Street also demonstrates that.

CLUE #2


Now we focus on the true subject at hand
A veritable battle of wits.
What’s obvious isn’t always so.
And everything doesn’t always fit.

So there are intellectual challenges
Inevitably what I have in store.

There’s so much care and giving.
And a love of the great outdoors.

This tells the hunter that much creative thought will be placed before them.

With the limited possible hiding spots, the chosen location would be more obvious but “isn’t always so”.  It was well-hidden inside a highly visible spot.  “Doesn’t always fit” refers to the packaging and wrapping used to camouflage the medallion.

In the second verse, “store” refers to KMI Warehouse nearby.  “Care and giving” relates to the benefactor who donated the land for the Sports Complex to the Park District.

CLUE #3


The simple things in life are often unseen.

There are no flowers in this application.

How does one really name it,

Without resulting in consternation.



My mind sees things from varying viewpoints.

It’s both the vision and how it’s dressed.

Until you view it the right way,

I apologize for any unintended duress.


“The simple things in life are often unseen” because we see it as more “complex”.

This newer park is a collection of playing fields that require fertilizers and other maintenance “applications”.


“How does one really name it?” So many Pekin’s parks are named after people.  This one is not.  It is  named for what it is: “The Pekin Park Sports Complex”.  The land was given anonymously to the Pekin Park District.  Their wish is to keep it that way.  To name it after any person would likely lead to “consternation”.



The second verse tells of how I often look at the references.  The work comes in disguising or “dressing” words in ways that either leads to specifics interpretation and creates a back door through a double meaning.  Also, with the park being a venue for three different sports, there are a variety of uniforms or “dress”.


“View it the right way” was a precursor to clues I planned  to use in subsequent clues. One was “Fifth”  It is both a physical reference, and a Constitutional one-as in “pleading fifth amendment rights”.  I also planned to use “Cook” as a way to prepare food, but here I’d be referring to Koch Street.

CLUE #4


Looking back over the years,

Meadows grow thick, trees grow tall

Witness change and the sweep of time.

As we seek out nature and hear the call.



Taking steps to find justice,

Counting on finding the truth.

Life is like an imperceptible blend

That can confuse even the best super sleuth.



The first verse talks about the physical changes at the Sports Complex,  it’s taken awhile for grass to come in.  New trees are maturing.  Bushes and plants have taken hold.


“Changes” and “sweep” relate to the topographical changes to what once was sloping farmland.



In the second verse, “taking steps” again refers to the terraced or stair-stepped landscape adjustment (there is approximately 10 feet of change from baseball to soccer, soccer to baseball again, and baseball to football)  “Justice” and “counting” are a reference to all the numbers listed at the park entrance and to 5th Street- relating to one’s Constitutional right to “plead the 5th” in an attempt to find justice.


Also, “imperceptible blend” again relates to the gradual sloping and how 5th Street suddenly becomes or “blends” into 8th Street”.

CLOSING


So there you have it!  Clues 5 and 6 were written and ready to go.  There were a number of fun references and brain teasers that would have really heated things up.  You just never know.  That’s part of the thrill of the hunt.


Congratulations to Trenda Harrison and her husband Jeff.  They’ve been avid long time hunters having come close many times.  They had a theory and worked it.  All hunters should be happy for them. 


It is funny seeing some of the post-hunt comments.  Every year there are people who angrily claim that the clues “made no sense”.


To them that may be true.  But it only has to make sense to one person among thousands who are looking.  Someone always finds it and to them the clues make perfect sense.


Thank you to everyone who participated.  Come and enjoy the Marigold Festival and the hard work of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and the dedicated Marigold Committee.  Together with the Pekin Park District they put on quite a show!