Glencoe Historical Society
at the
Eklund History Center & Garden

The Amazing Chase, a village-wide scavenger hunt sponsored by the Glencoe Historical Society, took place Sunday, April 27, and as advertised, was Glencoe’s “Next Best Big Thing.” Despite less than perfect weather, more than 90 scavengers, ranging in age from 2 to 73, participated in the event. They followed clues that directed them to various Glencoe historic landmarks through out the downtown, culminating at the Eklund Center for prizes and refreshments.

Highlights of the hunt included blowing out “Sixteen Candles” at the Glencoe Union Church, counting railing balustrades at “The Castle” and scoring Cracker Jacks from a mysterious Cubs fan at the Central School ball field. At other venues, the participants were requested to get an autographed cup from a barista at Starbucks, find the Fruit Loops in Aisle 3 at Grand Foods, and don lobster bibs at the fish counter in Foodstuffs. Others ordered the “GHS Special” at Vernon’s on Vernon and looked for long-time employee Lawson at the Mobil station. At the Glencoe Public Library, “Marion the Librarian” sent them to Youtube.com to get their next clue. (Check out “Youtube.com, Great Chase Team Tan.”)

Winners had to complete all the tasks and then answer questions about Glencoe’s history in the “Bonus Book.” The Grand Champion Chasers were George and Martha Birmingham, with a total of 41 out of 48 possible points. Some teams faltered on the question, “Who was the President of the United States when Glencoe was incorporated in 1869?” while others easily slid through the true or false question regarding images that looked strange but were, indeed, in Glencoe (Scotland.)

Poet and Glencoe Historical Society vice president John Carothers had rhymes for all the clues and each participant wore an identifying lanyard with a booklet in which to put answers. Moms, dads and children made up some teams, but the “Rickshaw Bandits” was an all teen group that came dressed in Japanese costume, and “The Settlers” were long-time Glencoe residents who scored a trivia win with the name of the AME church in town.

“It was a great success,” said Historical Society President Evey Schweig. “Everyone had a good time, learned a little more about their community and had the chance to ‘Be a Part of Glencoe History.’”

Schweig and Carothers together with Karen Ettelson and the rest of the social committee are already planning next year’s event with the promise of more difficult clues and possibly a biking route for older participants.