This reporter has been covering beautiful Newton Falls, Ohio for a few years. In that time, Ethel has come to love the town, the unique businesses, the community people and the lovely way it is nestled between two forks of a river. It is a sentiment that is shared by many! Especially Fieldview Acres Mercantile owner, Tom Colosimo. Tom and Tracy Colosimo have two businesses (the Merc and Split River Social) and have renovated the alley between businesses on Broad St (Emilia’s Sole Alleata) making it a lovely place to sit and enjoy the day or a treat from Broken Leaf!
Tom, along with a core of business owners throughout town, have been working to make Newton Falls a destination town. In that light they have promoted multiple festivals, supported each other’s businesses and are increasing their digital reach. Increasing foot traffic downtown, putting this fine town ‘on the map’ and promoting Newton Falls to the outside world has always been on Tom’s mind. So…
Late one evening, as he was watching a TicToc video by Rachel Stonecraft covering the story of the Fenn Treasure…a treasure placed years ago, inspiration hit. The video was about Forrest Fenn, an antiquities dealer, with terminal cancer who hid about a million dollars in treasure somewhere in the beautiful Western United States. He published a book with a poem containing 10 clues that he stated would take the hunter right to the treasure. This created a flurry of hunters and took over 10 years to find. Fenn, who actually recovered from his cancer, was even asked to call off the hunt, though he refused. The lighter side of this hunt was that people came together, found interest and love in the art and area that this hunt highlighted. The darker side of this was that many people were trespassing, some acted in dangerous manners, and a few people even died in the hunt! He even publicly stated that the treasure wouldn’t be anywhere that he, as a 70+ year old man, couldn’t easily access. The hunt took 10 years, but finally in 2020 it was found, exactly as Fenn placed it years ago. Fenn died shortly after it was found, and the finder won’t reveal where he found it!
The proverbial light bulb was very bright when it went off over Tom’s head. ‘OMG! We can do that here!’ Then, in typical TC fashion, he jumps in, full speed ahead. That is how he faces challenges in life — full speed ahead — and figure it out as he goes. Fortunately, Tracy’s knack for planning and detail balances him out, so the pair is formidable.
He started by putting a thousand of their own money into the kitty for this hunt. Then he talked to his friend, Joe Sarchione of Sarchione Chevrolet in Garretsville. This intrigued Joe, who immediately supported Tom and donated coin worth $5500 to the treasure. Since the moment of inspiration, the treasure has grown from just Tom’s $1,000 to over $30,000. It has gone viral on Tic Toc, Facebook and even Fox 8.
Planning began in February and within the month the treasure grew. He announced the hunt both in this paper and on the facebook page for the Merc, www.facebook.com/fieldviewacres. As anticipation grows, so does the treasure. The rules for this hunt are simple, and repeated on his facebook page — this reporter strongly suggests that you visit his page, and read the rules, probably more than once!
Clues will be released periodically. Some will take time to understand. That is intentional.
Clues are spaced every two weeks, Tuesdays at noon. There are 10 clues, this will take the hunt into July. If no one finds it first…
Tuesday, March 3 was when the first clue dropped, at high noon. His shop was packed. Tom had no idea what to expect. Hopefuls were there from town, out of town, and even out of state. Reporters were there from the Tribune, the Weekly Villager, and even Fox 8. Also, there were many of the sponsors of the treasure in attendance.
Ward 1 councilman, Brian Kropp, was there. Brian stated, “the town of Newton Falls is fortunate to have Tom, who cares about the town, to bring traffic that benefits all the businesses.”
Paul McEwean, the General Manager of Sarchione Chevrolet, shared their part in the hunt. Tom came to the dealership about two months ago, and shared his idea. They were 100% in! They donated that gold coin on the spot!
Joe Sarchione piped in, “Wild, isn’t it? Bringing the community together and people supporting businesses!”
At precisely noon, with a packed store, the first clue dropped on the business Facebook page. So many people were there, tuned into the WiFi, that it nearly crashed. Fortunately, it didn’t.
The clues are videos produced by Kropp Photography. A transcript follows for those of us that are old-school and prefer print…
Where iron greets the traveler before wood ever does,
And winter listens longer than the river should,
A proclamation stands, loud in form but quiet in truth.
Speaking numbers that are given, not numbers you choose.
Ignore the boast that shouts from the highest place,
For pride is never where accounts are traced.
Instead, attend the ledger kept below,
Where work is named and order grows.
Read not as one would read a tale,
But as a clerk whose sums must balance scale.
Each mark that earns its space by trade,
Each line that claims it stood or stayed.
When the reckoning is finished, do not keep the whole.
What is found here is a debt, not a goal.
Set it aside, untouched, unspent, unshown.
An answer withheld is still an answer known.
If you think the task was simply “count and see,”
Then you have taken what was offered, not what was owed to thee.
The hunt does not reward the swift or loud,
Only those who subtract where others are proud.
The distinction required here is made only by position,
Not by wording.
Quod sequitur non affixum est,
sed custodia horarum commissum.”
If the ultimate goal was to make Newton Falls famous, mission accomplished! This reporter has walked Broad Street many times without seeing another pedestrian. Today, the Saturday following the first clue release, the town is hopping. Broken Leaf, a coffee/tea and breakfast stop, usually slows down by the afternoon. It has been packed! Looking up and down Broad Street one sees singles, couples, families and buddy-groups checking out the town. There is even international participation.
While in line for a cup of coffee to help pump the keyboard, many conversations were overheard. Almost everyone was talking about the Hunt. One person says this is her second visit since Tuesday, and is excited to be involved. Curious, the people in the Leaf responded to the question, ‘how many are here for the Treasure Hunt?’ Everyone except the servers raised their hands.
One group of hopefuls, the McCarsonios, shared their strategy. Two are from Champion though formerly from Newton Falls, and two are from Canfield. They were having a strategy meeting over some tasty drinks from the Leaf. They had transcripts from the clue and were studying them. They had the book Images of America-Newton Falls by Adrianne Foos, which is a history of Newton Falls, for checking historical references. One hunter is eager to catch the next clue to compare…does it grow from clue one or does it stand on its own? As a group, they are certain (and impressed) with the historical knowledge and research that are evident in this. This book is available at the Merc, as well as at the Newton Falls Library. (I would suggest calling first, as this is likely to become a very popular book!)
Visiting businesses in the area, the resounding sentiment is… “business is crazy!” Crazy good. Ron from Glass Act was selling stained glass treasure chests in addition to other knick-knacks available at his studio. People from as far away as Elyria were browsing and asking about classes. The Leaf was packed. The Barista was extremely busy. Foot traffic even found its way into the Hometown Hound, the Churchmouse and across the street at the BS and Collectibles. Mario from Mi Amigo was seen in a grocery run for his wonderful restaurant. Some businesses are hiding keys with coupons attached. That way more people are ‘winners!’ Coupons are from area businesses and can save 10% to 50% of a purchase. Worth the hunt just for a key!
Since the clue dropped, Tom has gone Radio Silent. To all the treasure hunters out there, be careful, be respectful and good luck!
