This marked the first year the medallion was made of plastic. The old metal medallion which had been found by detectors in the past was switched to a new "nonmetallic, weather-resistant compound created by 3M" because of continued complaints by folks who said the detector-toters had an unfair advantage. The medallion was hidden in a coating of almond bark at Tony Schmidt Park in Arden Hills and it was found by Mike Madland without the benefit of the last, pinpointing clue.

Clue 1
This year's medallion
Is not made of wood,
But a metal detector
Will do you no good.

Laser beams and 3M magic
Make the search more fair for all.
So now's the time to bundle up;
Go out and have a ball.
The clue makes it clear that a metal detector won't work this year. It also gives a free plug to one of Minnesota's favorite home companies.

Clue 2
Our space-age medallion
Is on planet Earth,
Right here in Ramsey County.
And thinking of water
That's underground
Could help you find the bounty.
Confirms that it's in Ramsey County, and "water that's underground" refers to the red pump that's visible from the medallion site.

Clue 3
Not all barks are found on trees,
On that you can rely.
These few words can help you out,
If you use them by and by.
"Bark" in the clue refers to the coating of almond bark that encases the medallion.

Clue 4
In case of unexpected rain
Don't run helter skelter.
Protection's waiting just for you
At a nearby shelter.
The shelter in the clue refers to the domed structure in the park near the medallion site.

Clue 5
To help your search
We think we dare
To use the expression
"On the air."
This clue refers to the radio station "KTIS" which broadcasts from Northwestern College located directly across the lake from the park.

Clue 6
A diamond might be
A girl's best friend,
But for now it's a clue
Which to you we extend.
The "diamond" is a baseball field located up the hill just to the west of the medallion's hiding place.

Clue 7
Life's a beach,
So goes the saying.
Remember this clue,
And we could be paying.
The beach in the clue is the public beach on Lake Johanna's north side, located directly across the street from the park area where the medallion was hidden.

Clue 8
There's help for you
In this little rhyme.
You can launch your boat
In the summertime.
The clue further pinpoints Lake Johanna by telling hunters to search for a boat landing.

Clue 9
If you could use money
To pay up those bills,
Find a treasure that's hidden
In them thar' hills.
"Hills" is a key word here, as it partially identifies the Arden Hills community.

Clue 10
On old TV
She used pencils and books,
And she was known
As "Our Miss Brooks."
"Our Miss Brooks" starred Eve Arden, whose last name specifically identifies Arden Hills as the treasure site.

Clue 11
Here's a hint
That tops all the rest:
Name the brew that grew
With the great Northwest.
"The brew that grew with the great Northwest" was an advertising slogan for Schmidt Beer. The clue tells hunters to look in Tony Schmidt Park.

Clue 12
Out Arden Hills way,
In Tony Schmidt Park,
There lies a small piece
Of white almond bark.

Somewhere in between
A parking lot and dome,
Our candy-covered treasure
Has found its frigid home.

Look for "men" and "women" signs,
And a skinny tree as well.
It's buried nearby in snow,
And that's all we're gonna tell.
Pinpoints the clue to the exact location.