Ledger-Dispatch

By Bethany A. Monk (bmonk@ledger-dispatch.com) =

Downtown Sutter Creek will be part of = the 49er=20 Treasure Trail, March 28 and 29.

Photo by: Ledger Dispatch file=20 photo

Preston Castle will be part of the 49er = Treasure=20 Trail, March 28 and 29.

Photo by: Ledger Dispatch file=20 photo
The Amador Council of Tourism has = created a=20 countywide treasure hunt plush with clues, adventures and surprises for = people=20 of all ages to enjoy.

ACT wanted to have a signature fund-raiser = that=20 would raise money for the council, while helping stimulate the local = economy,=20 said ACT Tourism Director Maureen Funk. The event, officially the 49er = Treasure=20 Trail, will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28 and from = 9 a.m.=20 to noon Sunday, March 29. Those who participate will be given a list of = clues=20 that will take them through historic downtowns, the Preston Castle in = Ione,=20 Kennedy Mine in Jackson, Knight Foundry in Sutter Creek, a Chinese = apothecary=20 and other locations in the county.

"The hunt is a fun way to get = to know=20 the area and the community, while learning a little bit along the way," = a press=20 release from ACT states. "Each downtown has selected a theme and the = clues will=20 revolve around their theme. When players get to the historic downtowns = they will=20 experience people dressed in costume of a certain era like the Gold Rush = or=20 roaring '20's or in the case of Volcano, they will be pulled into a = murder=20 mystery to solve."

Registration for the event for those who want = to=20 participate in the hunt, either as a clue-seeker or a business featured = in the=20 hunt, may register or get more information by calling 245-4503 or (877)=20 868-7262, or by visiting www.touramador.com.

"We've been working = on this=20 for nine months," Funk said. "We felt it was important to spend a lot of = time to=20 plan this event."

The treasure hunt will be fun, interactive and=20 cross-generational, she said. Families, businesses, friends or = individuals can=20 sign up as a team. On Sunday, March 29, ACT will hold an awards ceremony = for the=20 hunts' winners. Prizes donated by local business will be given to the = top teams.=20

The treasure hunt "will definitely expand people's view of the = county,"=20 said Louise Reade of the Sutter Creek Business and Professional = Association. "It=20 will let people see different views of the community they might not see = just=20 passing through."

ACT committee member and president of the = Jackson=20 Historic Business Association Toni Fancher said that the hunt is good = because it=20 incorporates the entire county. The community has been very responsive = to the=20 idea, she said.

"They sound enthusiastic," Fancher said. She = thinks with=20 the economy the way it is now, local businesses are looking for = something that=20 will draw people here to see the local sights.

Funk said she got = the idea=20 for the treasure hunt from the international geocaching game. With = geocaching,=20 people all over the world can "hide" treasures in various locations and = give=20 clues for others via the Internet. Participants can use these clues to = find the=20 treasure, which may be a memento inside a box or Tupperware container = somewhere=20 in a given city or town.

"Geocaching is a big trend right now = and we're=20 trying to find something that would attract a broad range of people," = Fancher=20 said.

"I'm hoping the Treasure Trail will draw people" to the = area, said=20 Corinne Moore, an Amador City resident and member of the G.O.L.D.P.A.N.=20 Merchants Association. "I think it's a wonderful idea."

Amador = City, like=20 other areas in the county, is feeling the impact of the dire economy, = Moore=20 said. "It's hard to tell, though, if it's the economy or the bypass," = she said,=20 in reference to the Sutter Creek bypass which opened in February 2007. = The=20 bypass allows drivers a quicker trip, but prevents them from driving = through=20 Amador City and Sutter Creek.

"It's probably a little bit of = both,"=20 Moore said.

Funk said the community, including all the city = business=20 associations, have been extremely supportive of the treasure hunt. ACT's = goal,=20 she added, is to get 500 participants, either local or out-of-county. = They are=20 also still in search of sponsors for the event.

Most of all, Funk = said,=20 the 49er Treasure Trail will be a memorable event for those who=20 participate.

"We wanted it to be fun so that we're attracting = people with=20 an adventurous spirit," she said.

Tickets for the event cost $10. = Call=20 Funk at 245-4505 for more information.

Funk said she got the idea = for the=20 treasure hunt from the international geocaching game. With geocaching, = people=20 all over the world can "hide" treasures in various locations and give = clues for=20 others via the Internet. Participants can use these clues to find the = treasure,=20 which may be a memento inside a box or Tupperware container somewhere in = a given=20 city or town.

"Geocaching is a big trend right now and we're = trying to=20 find something that would attract a broad range of people," Fancher = said.=20

"I'm hoping the Treasure Trail will draw people" to the area, = said=20 Corinne Moore, an Amador City resident and member of the G.O.L.D.P.A.N.=20 Merchants Association. "I think it's a wonderful idea."

Amador = City, like=20 other areas in the county, is feeling the impact of the dire economy, = Moore=20 said. "It's hard to tell, though, if it's the economy or the bypass," = she said,=20 in reference to the Sutter Creek bypass which opened in February 2007. = The=20 bypass allows drivers a quicker trip, but prevents them from driving = through=20 Amador City and Sutter Creek.

"It's probably a little bit of = both,"=20 Moore said.

Funk said the community, including all the city = business=20 associations, have been extremely supportive of the treasure hunt. ACT's = goal,=20 she added, is to get 500 participants, either local or out-of-county. = They are=20 also still in search of sponsors for the event.

Most of all, Funk = said,=20 the 49er Treasure Trail will be a memorable event for those who=20 participate.

"We wanted it to be fun so that we're attracting = people with=20 an adventurous spirit," she said.

Tickets for the event cost $10. = Call=20 Funk at 245-4505 for more information.

Bethany A. = Monk