"Where's the Party" Clue 1: Wait, that's the name of a Middle School

To find the location of the "Summer Was Too Short" party, you'll need to solve three clues.  This is the first clue in the series.  Once you've solved each clue, you'll be presented with instructions.  After completing the instructions, you can proceed to the next clue.

Clue #1:
Find the location of the final resting place of Newnan's most famous politician.  Hint:  Georgia Governor in the 1940's.

From the main iron gates, search the place for the sign pictured here.  Once you find the sign, notice that there are only two Unknowns.  Find them.

Once you've found the two Unknowns, go to the nearest  tree.  From the shade of the Magnolia, look for the three Cedars located nearby.  Go to the first tree.

About four feet from the ground, look for the notch where the branches separate.  You should see a short green stem sticking out of the hole.  Pull the stem out carefully.

You've found the first cache!  Unscrew the top of the cache to find your instructions.  Follow the instructions immediately, then place the instructions back inside the cache, screw the top on tightly to keep out the rain, and replace the cache just as you've found it.  Be sure to cover it with some mulch so it can't be seen by others.  Be discreet if people are around.   Please be sure the next person to look for the cache can find it.

Notice the two men located nearby who served in the Revolutionary War.   Note their ages.  Pause.  Reflect.  Then hurry to on to Clue #2.

"Where's the Party" Clue 2: Downtown Newnan

Find the Greenville Street Park near downtown.  Here you'll find a sculpture of a family being attacked by birds (at least that was the impression I got).  Actually this is probably better artwork than Newnan deserves.  Pause.  Enjoy.  Reflect.

From the sculpture, follow the winding concrete path down the hill.  The path ends in a circle around a small tree.  Find the dirt path that extends farther down the hill toward the railroad tracks. Stop when you get to the Live Oak tree in the clearing.

At the base of the tree, there is a six-inch iron loop stuck in the ground.  It's probably been there 100 years.  Look for the cache behind the loop where the roots of the tree come together.  The cache is hidden under a pile of mulch there.

You've found Clue 2!  Unscrew the cap on the cache and find the instructions inside.  Follow the instructions.  Then replace the note and screw the cap tightly on the cache.  Return it to its original location.  Hide it well.
Please be discreet so the cache will still be there for others who come after you.

Proceed to Clue #3.

"Where's the Party" Clue 3: Ashley Park

Do not solve this clue until you have completed Clue 1 and 2.

Proceed to Ashley Park and find the Vision Works shop.  At the back of the building (away from the fountain), look for the back door.  On the exterior wall near the door there is a black 6-inch square device mounted on the wall.  Look for the Serial Number on the device.  You need to know the last two digits of this serial number.

Now, cross the main road to the Target/BJs/JCPenny complex.  In the parking lot of this complex all the light posts are numbered.  Find the post with the two digits from the serial number above.  Once you've found the post, lift the square metal base.  The cache is hidden there.  (UPDATE:  Please note that there is a different cache in a plastic bag located here also.  Leave that one and look for the same "silver bullet" cache that you found in Clue 1 & 2.)

Congratulations!  You've solved all the clues.
Open the cache to find the location of the "Summer Was Too Short" party.  Follow the instructions in the cache to complete your entry for the prizes.  Remember, you have to get all the clues right - in order - to win the prize.

Please be discreet when you're at the pole, especially if there are other people around.  When you leave, be sure the cache is hidden exactly as you found it - with the note inside, cap screwed tightly -  and be sure strangers don't see you place it there.  We want to make sure the cache stays there so other clue hunters can find it after you. Thanks.

Challenge 1: Georgia Trees

This Challenge is worth 10 points, but bonus points are available.
Go to Summergrove. Turn at the sign pictured below and go to the end of the road. Park.

Find the park. The park includes the grassy area between the fence and the sidewalk ONLY. This is a Summergrove "amenity".

In the park, complete the following three steps:

1) Start counting trees in the park.

• Count the number of trees that are the "State Tree of Georgia". If a double tree sprouts from one trunk, it counts as just one tree.
• Also in the park is a kind of tree that is more numerous in Georgia than in any other state. (If you need help, check the street name.) Count these trees.
• Last, count the number of trees whose sap is used to make syrup. If you don't know, call your Canadian friend. Then count the Sweetgums and Pines too.
• From the total number of "State Tree of Georgia", subtract the number of "Most Numerous in Georgia" . Remember this Tree Math number.

2) Find the Amenity Rules in the park.

• There are 18 rules with blue dots.
• Start counting the blue dots from the top of the page, working your way down.
• Stop when you get to the answer from Tree Math.
• Read this rule. Someone from your team will need to break this rule after completing Step 3 of the Challenge. Be creative. Don't get arrested.
• You will need to provide video evidence of your team breaking the rule. Keep it Rated G please.
• Two bonus points for the best rule breaker.

3) One of the U.S. Presidents was nicknamed "Old Hickory".

• Stand next to a tree that is most similar to a Hickory tree.
• Your team must sing a few lines from a song about this president, mentioning his name.
• Remember to complete Step 2 after your song.
• You must capture your team's performance on video.
• Three bonus points for the best singing. 

When you're finished, post your video online - either on Facebook or YouTube - and provide a link to the video in a comment here. Keep your video shorter than a minute. Two bonus points for the first team to post their video.

Challenge 1, Hint 2: In 1814 we took a little trip...

You may need to know the first few bars of this song to complete Challenge 1:
Battle of New Orleans

In the video, look for a reference to Hint #1.

Challenge 1, Hint 1: Know your Georgia Trees

You may need to identify some trees, especially those that are special to Georgia.

Ben Stein says, "Get ready for some fun."

One week left in May. You thought school was almost out, right? Well, Ben Stein is gonna put the COOL back into SCHOOL for the Summer Session. This is a MAJOR competition, and you're invited to join. Your family versus everyone else's family. We'll find out 1) who knows their stuff, 2) who's Dad is the coolest, and 3) who ain't scairt to embarrass themselves in front of a worldwide audience.

Here's what you need to know:

• Your family is your team. Everyone in your family is encouraged to participate.
• Challenges will be released on a (mostly) weekly basis over the Summer.
• Challenges will require some research, which the kids will be responsible for. If you don't have kids, we'll see if you're smarter than a fifth grader.
• Points will be awarded to each team based on: Speed, Accuracy, Research, Family Participation, and Originality.
• You'll need video evidence of your Challenges. Grab your camcorder. You'll also need to post your evidence on Facebook or YouTube, so create an account if you need to.
• When you finish a Challenge, you will post your results here on Blogspot so go ahead and create
  
  an account with your Team Name.
• Built into each Challenge, there will be a lot of history, a little math, and maybe some science... so don't let summertime affect your brain. Get those synapses firing.

Watch this space for the first Challenge, coming soon.
Questions?  Post here.