Hugo Good Neighbor Days
Hunt For The Golden Spike 2009
Clue #1.
Winter’s gone, and we’re presumin’
In every yard the flowers are bloomin’.
The kids all shout, “School’s almost out!”
—Good Neighbor Days is finally loomin’!
Clue #2.
Listen closely, and you will hear
Of fun the Lions have planned this year:
Somewhere in Hugo, “Spike” is hiding.
Anticipation is igniting!
In this annual endeavor,
Luck won’t suffice—you must be clever.
Clue #3.
You won’t need shovels, you won’t need tools,
But you must surely read the rules.
And if you do as you are bidden,
You’ll know that Spike is carefully hidden
On public land, in a city park.
Check the map. Don’t miss your mark.
Without a clue, you’re in the dark.
Clue #4. (Thursday a.m.)
Just speculate how much we owe
To that guy who plied the old Silk Road
To the stately court of Kublai Khan
For treasure by the camel-load.
Clue #5. (Thursday p.m.)
While launching on their new career,
Spike seekers should lend a willing ear:
Avoid red herrings. They interfere!
First, water. Then all will be clear.
Clue #6 (Friday a.m.)
Golden Spike fever’s only cure
Is to take a walk along the moor;
You’ll know your future’s looking bright
When you see the line of carriage lights.
Clue #7 (Friday p.m.)
The park in question lies beyond
A tiny sail-shaped wetland pond
Surrounded by canary grass—
To get to Spike, this you must pass.
(You won’t need a shovel to succeed. Guaranteed.)
Clue #8. (Saturday a.m.)
The hardest substance known to man
Isn’t a woman’s heart, you know.
Just scratch the surface of romance—
A diamond you may find below.
(By way of getting hitched, it seems
That gemstones are the stuff of dreams.)
Clue #9 (Saturday p.m.)
Two, three, four (don’t pine for more)
Sets the heading, hence.
A bonanza waits as you explore:
Hang on to your horse sense!
(For sure success in scoring Gold,
First find a spot to tie up Silver.)
Clue #10 (Sunday a.m.)
In Diamond Point Park, beyond the lawn
Is a wetland that long grass grows upon.
Head south from the line of “Ponderosa”
A hundred paces—You’re getting close-ah!
Spike’s favorite diamond color is blue,
Roasted and salted—this is true.
Two paces east of the “hitching post”
You’ll maximize your revenue.
CLUES ARE POSTED AT SERTINO’S CAFÉ, POSTAL CREDIT UNION, LIONS PARK AND THE CITIZEN OFFICE AS WELL AS ONLINE AT www.ReadTheCitizen.com. (If you’re parked on the Web site, don’t forget to hit your “Refresh” button!)
No digging, please! If found, bring “Spike” to The Citizen newspaper office, located in downtown Hugo at 14491 N. Forest Blvd. If nobody is there, please call The Spike Hotline at the Spike Hot Line numbers posted on the door and leave your name, address and phone number. Someone can meet you at the office. Remember to bring your Spike button!