George and Deborah Seeley hold up the 2017 Cooperstown Winter Carnival medallion they discovered an hour ago lying on the base of the World War I “Doughboy” Monument at the foot of Pine Boulevard, across Lake Street from The Otesaga. George has been participating in the annual medallion hunt since The Freeman’s Journal began provided the $500 prize in 2007, with Deborah’s assistance. “Base” in the second clue got the couple thinking about the base of statues, and “dough” helped them focus the search further. The couple will received the check at the “Carnival Closer” at 5 p.m. at the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market. Full details of the Seeleys search in the next edition of The Freeman’s Journal and Hometown Oneonta. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
