070726...R TREASURE 3...N. Falls...07--07-26...Treasure Hunters Laurel Bartels (619-251-1300) from W. Palm Beach, Florida, left, April Geister (715-222-2354) of Osceola, Wisconsin, center, and Jamie Jones (330-322-1972) of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, calling themselves The Golden Girls, are seeking treasure...by R. Michael Semple

NEWTON FALLS — After more than four months, thousands of miles traveled, and participants arriving from across the United States and beyond, the Newton Falls Treasure Hunt is entering its final chapter.

The final clue in the hunt was given Tuesday to those searching for the treasure.

Fieldview Acres Mercantile owner Tom Colosimo, who created the hunt as a way to attract tourism in the village, said the total was $37,650 on Tuesday, but that is expected to increase as Sarchione Chevrolet in Garrettsville has agreed to pay $50 from every car they have sold during the treasure hunt.

He said the dealership already has given $11,000, which is included in the total.

Among those who have been searching are “The Golden Girls” — Laurel Bartels of West Palm Beach, Florida, April Geister of Osceola, Wisconsin, and Jamie Jones of Cuyahoga Falls.

Jones, as the lone Ohioan, said she heard about the Newton Falls Treasure Hunt and told her friends about it and they flew to Ohio from Florida and Wisconsin to form a team.

“I have driven through Newton Falls before and saw that the treasure hunt was going to be held. This is a nice town with many small businesses. It has a rich history and I thought this treasure hunt would be fun for the three of us,” Jones said.

The trio said they have had a lot of fun getting a new clue each week for the past 10 weeks from Colosimo.

The three were among more than 20 people who gathered at noon Tuesday to get the final clue #10.

Jones said they spent time Tuesday looking over all 10 clues and doing a lot of math, with prizes ranging from $1,000 or $5,000 to millions. She said this local hunt was in the higher range for prizes.

“Our brains were exploding, going over everything and doing all the math to solve the clues,” she said.

Jones credits Colosimo for coming up with the treasure hunt idea as a great way to bring people to the village, see the community and shop at the local businesses.

She said the three will stay all week to solve the clue and get the treasure.

“This has been exciting and fun for us,” Bartels said.

She said she has been part of other treasure hunts for the past 10 years.

“It is always fun searching for treasure. This one really had you get your boots on the ground. You had to go to the physical locations the clues told you to and really look around. You have to solve all 10 clues.” she said,

Bartels said each clue was a poem that participants had to figure out the meaning and where it wanted them to go. She said one clue was to go to the Statue of Liberty in the downtown and see what the poem was telling them to find there.

To get the treasure, all 10 clues have to be solved.

Geister said she also has enjoyed the treasure hunt, but didn’t expect to do so much math.

“We have been reviewing all 10 clues to make sure we have them right,” she said.

Like Bartels, she said she also was thrilled to hear from Jones about getting together as a team to search for treasure.

Bartels said the three signed their names in a book at Colosimo’s store to help him get the event in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Colosimo said more than 200 people have signed the book. Colosimo said the participants Tuesday seemed very excited to be part of the final clue day.

In addition to concluding the hunt, organizers will be documenting attendance in an effort to determine whether Newton Falls has attracted enough participants in a single day to pursue recognition from Guinness World Records for what Colosimo and other event organizers believe could become a new category for the largest attendance at a community treasure hunt in a single day.

He said the official registration book was on the counter at his store, Fieldview Acres Mercantile. The sign-in book will document where participants traveled from and help establish an official attendance count for the event.

Additional documentation, including photographs, video and supporting records also will be collected as part of the potential Guinness World Records submission, Colosimo said.

The community-wide treasure hunt has drawn visitors from numerous states and multiple countries, transforming Newton Falls into a destination for treasure hunters, history enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Along the way, participants have explored the town’s historic landmarks, supported local businesses and discovered everything Newton Falls has to offer, Colosimo’s social media page states.

He said whether the treasure is discovered immediately or the search continues, the release of the final clue marks the beginning of the hunt’s final chapter and the culmination of a project that has brought visitors from across the country to Newton Falls.