Our winner, Dan DeLeon, is pictured here with the medallion:

And here’s a close-up of what everyone was looking for:

The RELIC HUNT MEDALLION has been found!

Hidden in Ferran Park, the medallion was found by deciphering:

I N
F E R R A N
P A R K
B Y
T H R E E
R O C K S

We’ll present the prizes to our winner on Saturday at the Edgar Banks celebration in Fountain Green in Downtown Eustis.

And stay tuned for other “Hunts” to take place in Eustis in the near future!

Thursday, 11/6/08:  On Eustis’ banks you will find the shell.  When you do, life will be swell.  Your final clued we will tell where you can find what you seek, so search well!

Yesterday’s Letters:  R   H   A   E

Wednesday, 11/5/08:

A “bed” of history is here – this is perfectly clear.  Banks’ belongings are near.  Stay where the water you can hear.

OR

The world’s a stage!  This hunt is all the rage.  For the next page, finid the place for actors of any age.

(Due to a misprint, we’re offering two clues today, just as we did on Monday.  Both locations will have the same set of letters.)

Yesterday’s letters:  K  E  A  Y

Tuesday, 11/4/08:

To continue the crawl, go to Eustis town’s hall.  Look for a picture of paul.  Here you will find all.

Yesterday’s letters:  C  N  O  R

Monday, 11/3/08:

A “bed” of history is here – this is perfectly clear.  Banks’ belongings are near.  Stay where the water you can hear.

OR

The world’s a stage!  This hunt is all the rage.  For the next page, finid the place for actors of any age.

(Due to a misprint, we’re offering two clues today.  Both locations will have the same set of letters today.  Choose one and find the letters.  When we reprint both later this week, use the other clue to search out new letters.)

Yesterday’s letters:  K   E   R   B

Once you get all the letters, decipher the cryptogram:

_ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
_ _
_ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _

CLUE #1:  For your first hint, follow the famous panthers prints.  Stay for a stint, and follow the clue for the prize that is mint!

The clue hints at a location where you will find a placard bearing several letters.  Those letters fit a cryptogram, available here.

Good luck, adventurer!

The first Relic Hunt Clue will be revealed November 2nd.  Clues will be available on this site, in the Daily Commercial and in some of the businesses sponsoring the event. 

The hunt is open to folks of all ages, but children under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian claim the prize, if they win.

The person who deciphers the relic hunt clues and finds the hidden medallion will receive a stash of prizes, including gems, gift certificates and other great items.

THE PRIZES (so far):

DeVere (A Floor Makeover, valued at $600)
Merry Jewelers (Antique emerald and diamond ring valued at $375)
3rd Generation Antiques (15 Ct. emerald-cut Amatrine gem, $500 value)
Tom’s Color Bar ($100 gift certificate towards hair care services (color, cut, etc.))
Stavro’s & Sons Pizza Restaurant ($25 gift certificate)
Darklyn Beads and Beyond (Fossilized stone pendant, valued at $175)
Web Creations by Regina ($400 Web Design and Hosting Certificate)
GlamaRay Beauty Products ($25 Gift Certificate plus Free Shipping)
Bay Street Hair Design
Olivia’s
Bay Street Pharmacy (Two teddy bears, one fall decoration – $75 value)

Read the full rules here.

TOTAL PRIZE PACKAGE:  $2275.00 and growing!

Event Date:    Sunday, November 2, 2008
Tour Times:    2:00 pm, 2:45 pm, 3:00 pm
Ticket Price:   $10.00 (tickets sold in advance at the Eustis Chamber of Commerce)
Tour director: Drs. Robert and Leah Ladley (current owners)
Location:        37918 Co. Rd. 44A, Eustis  32726
Directions:     Highway 44A east of Hwy 19, Eustis. Turn left at Estes Rd.
Parking:         Please park along 44A adjacent to the property and enter on foot
                        through the home’s front wrought-iron gate.

Dr. Edgar J. Banks, the famous archeologist who retired in Eustis in 1921, designed and built a mansion for his family on Lake Dalhousie in 1926. The Mediterranean-style structure is reminiscent of the architecture found in locations where Dr. Banks unearthed his historic archeological discoveries. The house has had three owners since his death in 1946. Dr. Robert and Lea Ladley, the current owners, have graciously offered to open the home to the community on November 2^nd to help launch the Edgar J. Banks Relic Hunt Week. They will provide three, 45-minute guided tour opportunities limited to 20 persons per tour. Tickets are $10 each available through the Eustis Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Robert Ladley and his wife Dr. Leah Ladley, who bought the home 10 years ago when it was in disrepair, have modernized it for livability but were careful to restore many of its fireplaces, artistic mantles, parquet wood flooring, chandeliers, crown moldings, and other uniquely designed elements. They are well versed on the history of the home, thanks to an informative visit by the late Daffney Banks McLachlan (Dr. Banks’ daughter). During her visit with them, she gave them photos of the house the first year it was being built.

Eustis 125^th Anniversary Committee volunteers will be on hand to direct parking and visitors. We ask the public to please respect the Ladley’s private property and grounds at all times. No pets or small children please. All proceeds will go toward the Eustis 125^th Anniversary events.

Tickets can be purchased from the Lake Eustis Chamber of Commerce, adjacent to Ferran Park on Orange Avenue.

One of the most interesting events planned for Banks Week is a presentation by Dr. Ewa Wasilewska, a professor from the University of Utah, who is writing a book about Dr. Banks.  You can read a short article that she’s written about Dr. Banks here.

Dr. Wasilewska will share Edgar’s story and she’ll talk about the cuneiform tablets, which are being loaned by the University.

Our guest’s presentation will take place on Saturday, November 8th during our daylong festivities.  Our friends at the Lake Eustis Institute have graciously offered use of their community classroom for their event.