Non-Clue #6. Monday, September 2nd, 2024
(written from the clue writers perspective)
For years, Wayne brought that tale to life, in reenactments bold.
But time, it has a way, my friend, of making young men old.
I carry the torch he had kindled so bright.
In the town of Northfield, under the stars at night.
Now he’s resting in peace, his legacy strong.
In the heart of Northfield, where he’ll always belong.
And now he rests, a happy soul, old hunts he once helped frame.
A part of Northfield’s history, and the story of Frank James.
So here’s to Wayne, I honor him, who lived life true and grand.
And to the ghost of Frank James, too, lawlessness won’t stand.
Congratulations to a team of 4 who found the horseshoe in a grassy area along the future Mill Town State Trail (MTST) behind Huron Court and Lia Drive along the Spring Creek corridor. Mike Nowak, Josh Ellingson, Ed Brodie and Todd Pitman had registered their buttons and will claim the $2000 prize.
When Wayne would do his medallion hunts around town in the 80’s, I would often listen to KYMN and then ride by bike to nearby parks to look. I was fascinated by the game and would be so excited at the very possibility of finding real treasure. So Wayne’s creative games over the years started something in me. Starting my clue-writing over when Wayne passed away was something I just had to do. No way I wasn’t going to theme my event around someone so very instrumental to the Defeat of Jesse James Days.
The hunt started on the day of his funeral and now, of all places, he’s been buried in the Northfield Cemetery right next to…. Joseph Lee Heywood. It’s just uncanny the life this guy had, even surprising me speechless when I arrived at his internment to find he was being placed in a location that had a big tree in it a year ago. Somehow that tree came down and Wanye was buried there. Even in his passing he surprised everyone. Rest in peace my friend.
Tim Freeland – Horseshoe Hunt Chair
(not a clue)
For a more details, marked up version of the clues click here.
Explanation, Clue #1
There wasn’t a whole lot in this first clue I’ll admit. This is because there’s so much about Wayne to use. This a is general reference to the Mill Town State Trail under development and will be a path to ride on 25 miles in length when complete. Wayne was a “Lion” volunteer and there is a Lions pavilion in Riverside park, next to the war memorial. Town is for “Milltown state trail”. Work never done refers to how long it has taken to get the trail completed. Years of trying.
“A friend you can count on” was the KYMN motto for decades. It’s not a clue but (I thought) a clever reference to Wayne and being friends with the community.
Work was never done – Years to get this trail done.
Wild. Wild and native plants and grasses along the spring creek corridor.
25 – The MTST will be 25 miles once connected. Wayne played Frank James for 25 years.
Rode Riding on the new trail.
Town. MTST
Explanation, Clue #2
Connect – MTST working to connect all links.
Stately – State Trail
Going for a run – Using a trail.
Northfield – it’s in Northfield (not Dundas this year)
Grist – Mill
Trailblazer – Trail
New – New sections, bonding to pay for the trail sections.
New walking path off Prairie and Meadowview.
New bridge this summer that crosses spring creek.
Bonding for funding.
Explanation, Clue #3
Ride – Bike path
Men Fired Back – Wheeler (bridge manufacturer.)
Joseph. I didn’t say Heywood. Because Heywood drive and park are on the east side.
Gold – New bridge is rust colored. Plus lots of Goldenrod plants in this corridor.
Storm. The City has a whole page on the process of the MTST construction and studies. The firm suggested the trail be strategically to the east and out of the way of flood zone AE
Wide – Spring creek. Couldn’t get across until this year. It would be a wide jump to the east side.
Flooded. Spring Creek Floodway AE Zone according to FEMA maps.
Explanation, Clue #4
Wheeler – Wheeler Bridge made the brand new walking bridge over Spring Creek this summer. I thought this was uncanny.
Where the blacktop ends – Currently the trail runs north but ends behind Huron Ct. Future trail will be completed through this area. Currently a dirt path.
Toole – Toole Design. City’s study on the trail. You also might need a garden rake, poker, spike, etc. It’s in grass about 6-12” tall and is deep under the thicket so you’ll need to poke around for it.
East – Head east.
Fields – There are a few nice open grassy areas to search in.
Golden – The new “Wheeler” walking bridge is just rusting and appears golden.
There is also Goldenrod growing everywhere along the trail to its south. I was worried about this looking like Wild Parsnip, which is very dangerous and decided not to send people to a “south field” where they’d have to search through these wild grasses and plants.
Milltown trail is here to better point people to our subject matter that may have missed the “Mill Town State(ly) Trail” references earlier.
North and field does 2 things. It indicates that its not in Dundas and to send you north of where the blacktop ends to a grass field to the east of the trail.
Explanation, Clue #5
Free (Freeland hehe). Or because Wayne is now pain free. There, that’s what I meant.
Great Lakes – Huron, Michigan.
Floodway is the area around the stream, where it overflows. Don’t go there. Away and to the East.
Creek. Spring Creek.
V – The path splits in the raw land that will be the future trail.
Walk the path complete. Complete the stages of the MTST.
Hall. Hall avenue.
Trousers stains. In the grass and needing to get down low.
Prairie. Prairie and Meadowview is where the entrance to a new walking path leading up to the MTST through beautiful new areas.
Meadows. Meadowview.
Hide. Well, that one is easy.
Explanation, Clue #6
There are no “clues in #6 (because it was found on 5). This is just my paragraph to thank Wayne one last time.
