If you recall, at Christmas time last year, Pam Ward of Bridgton Books, and I collaborated and created Twas The Night Before Christmas with a local twist. We had so much fun doing that, that we decided to come up with something else for the spring and early summer.

Thus was born our treasure hunt. I’ve decided to list all the clues first, and if you actually want to try to figure them out or locate them, we welcome that. The answers and the history behind them will be included in the second half of this post.

Happy hunting.

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I thought I’d separate the clues from the answers with this photo of a Magnificent Bryozoan, tiny animals that form a cluster or colony and filter water–indicators of good water quality. I spotted this in Moose Pond over the weekend. Each year I find at least one colony there and give thanks.

And now for the answers.

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Pam not only took the photos for this treasure hunt, but she also took the time to create each poster.

My part was easy. Among my research, I also had past encounters to recall for as an amateur historian I often picked the brains of Ned Allen, former executive director of Bridgton Historical Society, and the late Sue Black. To both of them, I give great thanks.

And thank you again to Pam and our mutual friend, Katie Dunn, for our recent walk along the Stevens Brook Trail, where I shared some of what Sue taught me over the years.

Here’s to more creative collaborations that celebrate our little place on Planet Earth.

One morning in Bridgton, Maine . . . Pam and I hope you’ll step outside and look for some of these treasures, or at least enjoy reading about them.