GRRiddler 2022 - SOLVED

On December 19, 2021, Derek H. solved GRRiddler 2022! He realized the holiday movie poll on Facebook was actually the second part of December’s clue. The poll was important as was the pole at the location. Derek worked super hard on this hunt from day one and impressed me with his clue-solving skills! Here's the solution:

Congratulations Derek!

On November 2, 2021, at 8:00pm Eastern time, the riddle was released on YouTube.

The Treasure

Similar to The Wyoming Riddler’s prizes, the treasure will include a coveted winner’s mug and "a treasure of silver and other items beyond description." The treasure will also include a carbon monoxide detector as a means to continue Joe's desire to educate people about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The highly coveted winner's mug!

The Silver

The original Wyoming Riddler, Joe Cramer, gave prizes of silver. In my first hunt, I continued that tradition and will continue to do so. This year's silver is a U.S. Mint 2021 Silver Proof Coin Set.

The 2021 United States Mint Silver Proof Set contains 7 proof coins, each bearing the “S” mint mark of the United States Mint at San Francisco. The set is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

The 2021 United States Mint Silver Proof Set features 7 proof coins encased in two clear plastic lenses in a beautifully designed package you’ll be proud to display. The quarters, dime, and half dollar are struck in 99.9 percent silver. The 2021 Silver Proof Set is a great addition to any collection.

The 2021 United States Mint Silver Proof Set includes the following coins:

The final quarter in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program series honoring the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama. The reverse design depicts a Tuskegee Airman pilot suiting up to join the fight during World War II with the Moton Field control tower in the background. The pilot looks upward with pride and confidence as two P- 51 Mustangs pass overhead. The inscription “THEY FOUGHT TWO WARS” is arced across the top as a reference to the dual battles the Tuskegee Airmen fought – fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home. Inscriptions are “TUSKEGEE AIRMEN,” “ALABAMA,” “2021,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”

One General George Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter featuring an obverse (heads) design that marks a return to the familiar depiction of George Washington by John Flanagan as it appeared on the quarter from 1932 to 1998. The image was modified for the 50 State Quarters, the DC and U.S. Territories Quarters, and the America the Beautiful Quarters Programs. In this revived depiction, Washington’s portrait is larger and with higher relief. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2021.” The reverse (tails) design features General George Washington commanding his troops through the overnight crossing of the ice-choked Delaware River prior to the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War. Inscriptions are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "CROSSING THE DELAWARE," and "QUARTER DOLLAR.”

One Native American $1 Coin with the latest reverse (tails) design in the series. The 2021 design honors Native American military service. This reverse design features two eagle feathers, which were traditionally earned in battle or by performing a brave deed. Eagle feathers are revered, receiving the utmost care and handling, and are to be displayed proudly in homes. Stars representing five branches of the U.S. Military are in the foreground. A circle, a symbol with deep meaning to Native Americans, connects all the elements. Inscriptions include “NATIVE AMERICANS – DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE SINCE 1775,” “$1,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

• One silver Kennedy half dollar
• One silver Roosevelt dime
• One Jefferson nickel
• One Lincoln penny
• Silver content – 0. 984 oz. (27.90 g)

The Set is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

The 2021 United States Mint Silver Proof Set is a must-have for any collection. This unique and intriguing set makes a great gift for all ages and occasions—one sure to make anyone smile.

More Silver (Kind of)

Rose Marie (August 15, 1923 – December 28, 2017) was an American actress, singer, comedian, and vaudeville performer with a career that ultimately spanned nine decades - and included film, radio, records, theater, night clubs and television. As a child performer during the years just after the silent film era, she had a successful singing career under the stage name Baby Rose Marie. As an adult, she became one of the first major stars to be known simply by her given names.

Rose Marie was widely known for her role on the CBS situation comedy The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966), as television comedy writer Sally Rogers, "who went toe-to-toe in a man’s world". Later she portrayed Myrna Gibbons on The Doris Day Show and was a 14-year panelist on The Hollywood Squares.

I was able to obtain a collection of Rose Marie's silverware from her daughter (who also included a certificate of authenticity). 

Markings: Insignia Plate E.P.N.S.	A1
ONEIDA LTD.	No other markings
ONEIDA LTD.	Silversmiths
ONEIDA LTD.	WM A. ROGERS A1 PLUS
ONEIDA LTD.	Silversmiths
COMMUNITY	No other markings
ONEIDA LTD.	WM A. ROGERS A1 PLUS
ONEIDA LTD.	WM A. ROGERS A1 PLUS
ONEIDA LTD.	WM A. ROGERS A1 PLUS
VICTOR S. CO.	A1+ OVERLAY I S
HOTEL D'ANGLETERRE	DFA
INTERNATIONAL S. CO. XII
REED & BARTON

Other Prizes

Joe Cramer's journey on the road to recovery from carbon monoxide poisoning was the genesis of The Wyoming Riddler. Throughout his career as the Riddler, he tried to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. With The Grand Rapids Riddler, I intend to keep the Riddler's journey going. The winner of GRRiddler 2022 will receive a Carbon Monoxide detector.

• CO detector that alerts with a warning signal against dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home
• Easy & quick installation - plugs directly into your home's standard wall outlet, 85 decibel alarm alerts of fire
• Protects during a power failure - 2-AA batteries, included with pack, provide backup service in the event of a power outage
• Whole home family protection - place 1 carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home & in your bedroom to protect from poisonous gases
• UL Certified, 10-year limited warranty

Word on Fire is back again this year! They've generously donated the following books with a total retail value of roughly $125. Bishop Barron and the Word on Fire team are at the forefront of the new media, reaching out to explain the rich history of the faith in a way that's easy to understand, yet not dumbed down.

The Wisdom of the Word: Biblical Answers to Ten Pressing Questions About Catholicism

Why believe God exists, or believe Jesus is God? Why listen to the Catholic Church? Why is the Church so strict about sex? Questions like these have propelled a crisis of disaffiliation and disbelief among Catholics in recent decades. Half of millennial Catholics have turned their backs on the Church, and at many churches, only a minority of parishioners believe in all of its teachings about faith and morality.

Building on the call of the Second Vatican Council for a greater appreciation of Scripture, The Wisdom of the Word invites Catholics who are thinking about leaving the Church, or who are confused about elements of Catholic faith and practice, to pause and give the Bible a chance to illuminate their way. From the infighting among the Catholic faithful to the sins of Catholic leaders, and from Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to the Church’s emphasis on caring for the poor, theologians Michael Dauphinais and Matthew Levering explore common challenges to the faith in light of the timeless insights of the Word.

Brilliant! 25 Catholic Scientists, Mathematicians, and Supersmart People

Think faith and science don’t go together? Think again! 

It’s important to teach children at a young age that faith and science are complementary! Too many people today—adults and children—think that faith and science don’t go together. In fact, many people who leave the Catholic Church report that they don’t believe faith is compatible with science. Sadly, one study found that the median age of people who leave the Church is surprisingly young—thirteen.  

In an effort to help children learn about the relationship between faith and science, the Daughters of Saint Paul, a premier publisher of Catholic children’s books for over seventy years through Pauline Books & Media, have partnered with the Word on Fire Institute to present an exciting new book for children: Brilliant! 25 Catholic Scientists, Mathematicians, and Supersmart People. The book introduces children to many of the Catholics who have been behind groundbreaking discoveries in science and math for centuries. Children will embark on an adventure through history where they’ll meet faith-filled pioneers in every field from anatomy to astrophysics. They’ll walk in the footsteps of these supersmart Catholics who changed the world and learn how brilliant they can be when they unite faith and science! 

Exploring Catholic Theology: Essays on God, Liturgy and Evangelization

Bishop Robert Barron is one of the Catholic Church's premier theologians and author of the influential The Priority of Christ. In this volume, Bishop Barron sets forth a thoroughgoing vision for an evangelical catholic theology that is steeped in the tradition and engaged with the contemporary world. Striking a balance between academic rigor and accessibility, the book covers issues of perennial interest in the twenty-first-century church: who God is, how to rightly worship him, and how his followers engage contemporary culture. Topics include the doctrine of God, Catholic theology, philosophy, liturgy, and evangelizing the culture. This work will be of special interest to readers concerned about the so-called "new atheism."

Renewing Our Hope: Essays for the New Evangelization

In a time of discouragement, how can the Church renew itself and its outreach to all people? Bishop Robert Barron, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, insists that a “dumbed down” Catholicism cannot succeed in today’s highly educated society—instead, the Church needs to draw upon its great theological heritage in order to renew its hope in Christ.

With Renewing Our Hope: Essays for the New Evangelization, Bishop Barron traces this renewal through four stages. “Renewing Our Mission” lays out the challenges that call for Catholics to become more aware of their own intellectual resources in encountering the “Nones.” “Renewing Our Minds” showcases the importance of theological reflection as a font of wisdom and sanity in the Church, touching on Thomas Aquinas, Hans Urs von Balthasar, the recently canonized John Henry Newman, and Pope Francis. In “Renewing the Church,” he proceeds to look at how Scripture, the family, the seminary, and Catholic college graduates can each contribute to this renewal. Finally, in “Renewing Our Culture,” Barron returns to the judgments Catholics must make in assessing contemporary culture, specifically, family life, liberalism, relativism, and (surprisingly) the beauty of cinema.

Bishop Barron, known as the host of the Catholicism PBS video series, was previously rector and professor of systematic theology at Mundelein Seminary outside Chicago, Illinois. He demonstrates again in Renewing Our Hope his ability to make the fruits of his wide reading accessible to a broad audience, while still giving his academic colleagues much to consider.

Vibrant Paradoxes: The Both/And of Catholicism

G.K. Chesterton once said that Catholicism keeps its beliefs "side by side like two strong colors, red and white...It has always had a healthy hatred of pink."

Catholicism is both/and, not either/or. It celebrates the union of contraries--grace and nature, faith and reason, Scripture and tradition, body and soul--in a way that the full energy of each opposing element remains in place.

In Vibrant Paradoxes, bestselling author Bishop Robert Barron brings together themes and motifs that many would consider mutually exclusive or, at best, awkward in their juxtaposition. But seen through the Incarnation, these opposites crash together and reflect new light in every direction requiring a new vision. This book will train you to see.

Give them a follow!

Facebook (Word on Fire)
Facebook (Bishop Barron)
YouTube
Instagram
Twitter

To be honest, I'm regifting this. Don't tell my mom. I'm not a big fan of Alexa, Siri or any other device that's intended to allow big tech to spy on me. I never took it out of the box. Now it could be yours!

• Echo Dot is a voice-controlled speaker that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, make calls, answer questions, set timers and alarms, and more.
• Play music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio.
• Call or message family and friends hands-free, or drop in from the Alexa App to your Echo device.
• Controls lights, locks, thermostats, and more with compatible connected devices.
• Use the built-in speaker, or for bigger sound, connect to speakers through Bluetooth or audio cable.
• 50,000+ skills, including Jeopardy!, Lyft, Audible, and Domino's. Always getting smarter and adding new features.
• Hears you from across the room with 7 far-field microphones for hands-free control, even in noisy environments or while playing music.

The Rules

(Borrowed extensively from The Wyoming Riddler)

You must find the medallion and personally bring it to me. Once you find it, email me with details about where you found it and we will arrange a time and place to meet. At that time, you may redeem the medallion for the prize. The medallion and prize exchange must be done in person. I will not accept photographs, mailed or anonymous claims. 

Some of The Wyoming Riddler's
medallions. Mine will be similar.

The medallion is accessible 24 hours a day without trespassing. It is not on private property. It is not completely buried. You may have to move grass, snow or leaves to see it. It is no higher than three feet above ground. 

The riddle tells you the location. It can be found by using a street map of the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area. You must figure out how. I will not deceive you.

Additional clues will be issued on the first Tuesday of every month until solved or until midnight on the last day of February. If the riddle is not solved by midnight on the last day of February, the game will end and the treasure will be added to the following year. You may email to ask questions. However, I will not answer questions that result in an advantage to you. By emailing questions, you are giving me authorization to post them publicly (without your name included) if I choose to do so.

My home or place of employment have no bearing on the medallion’s location. I have told no one of its location. Everyone is eligible to participate including past winners and their relatives.

You are looking for an oval metal medallion about the size of an index card. It has identifiable markings beyond those pictured, so attempting to counterfeit a medallion will be of no use. 

There is no cost to you. It is free for the enjoyment. This is a game and it’s just for fun. In the spirit of Joe Cramer (The Wyoming Riddler) I do ask you to remember the dangers related to chronic carbon monoxide poisoning.

Additional Stuff

In consideration of participating in this treasure hunt or any Read and Seek treasure hunt, and for other good and valuable consideration, you agree to release and discharge from liability Martin Smith and all other persons or entities acting for him (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Releasees") as follows:

1. You acknowledge that treasure hunting involves known and unanticipated risks which could result in physical or emotional injury and property damage. 

2. You expressly accept and assume all of the risks inherent in this activity. Your participation in this activity is purely voluntary and you elect to participate despite the risks. In addition, if at any time you believe that search conditions are unsafe or that you are unable to participate due to physical or medical conditions, then you will immediately discontinue participation.  

3. You hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Releasees from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action which are in any way connected with your participation in this treasure hunt. 

GRRiddler 2022 - Prizes: More Silver

 More Silver (Kind of)

Rose Marie (August 15, 1923 – December 28, 2017) was an American actress, singer, comedian, and vaudeville performer with a career that ultimately spanned nine decades - and included film, radio, records, theater, night clubs and television. As a child performer during the years just after the silent film era, she had a successful singing career under the stage name Baby Rose Marie. As an adult, she became one of the first major stars to be known simply by her given names.

Rose Marie was widely known for her role on the CBS situation comedy The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966), as television comedy writer Sally Rogers, "who went toe-to-toe in a man’s world". Later she portrayed Myrna Gibbons on The Doris Day Show and was a 14-year panelist on The Hollywood Squares.

I was able to obtain a collection of Rose Marie's silverware from her daughter (who also included a certificate of authenticity). Now this collection of Rose Marie's personal silverware can be yours. You just need to be the first to find and retrieve the medallion!

I've included the markings found on the silverware below. One of my favorites is the spoon she obtained from a hotel in Europe: HOTEL D'ANGLETERRE

Markings: Insignia Plate E.P.N.S.	A1
ONEIDA LTD.	No other markings
ONEIDA LTD.	Silversmiths
ONEIDA LTD.	WM A. ROGERS A1 PLUS
ONEIDA LTD.	Silversmiths
COMMUNITY	No other markings
ONEIDA LTD.	WM A. ROGERS A1 PLUS
ONEIDA LTD.	WM A. ROGERS A1 PLUS
ONEIDA LTD.	WM A. ROGERS A1 PLUS
VICTOR S. CO.	A1+ OVERLAY I S
HOTEL D'ANGLETERRE	DFA
INTERNATIONAL S. CO. XII
REED & BARTON

GRRiddler 2022 - Prizes: The Silver

The original Wyoming Riddler, Joe Cramer, gave prizes of silver. In my first hunt, I continued that tradition and will continue to do so. This year's silver is a U.S. Mint 2021 Silver Proof Coin Set. With inflation and the price of silver, this year's set costs about 60% more than last year's! Be the first to find the medallion and it's yours!

The 2021 United States Mint Silver Proof Set contains 7 proof coins, each bearing the “S” mint mark of the United States Mint at San Francisco. The set is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

The 2021 United States Mint Silver Proof Set features 7 proof coins encased in two clear plastic lenses in a beautifully designed package you’ll be proud to display. The quarters, dime, and half dollar are struck in 99.9 percent silver. The 2021 Silver Proof Set is a great addition to any collection.

The 2021 United States Mint Silver Proof Set includes the following coins:

The final quarter in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program series honoring the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama. The reverse design depicts a Tuskegee Airman pilot suiting up to join the fight during World War II with the Moton Field control tower in the background. The pilot looks upward with pride and confidence as two P- 51 Mustangs pass overhead. The inscription “THEY FOUGHT TWO WARS” is arced across the top as a reference to the dual battles the Tuskegee Airmen fought – fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home. Inscriptions are “TUSKEGEE AIRMEN,” “ALABAMA,” “2021,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”

One General George Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter featuring an obverse (heads) design that marks a return to the familiar depiction of George Washington by John Flanagan as it appeared on the quarter from 1932 to 1998. The image was modified for the 50 State Quarters, the DC and U.S. Territories Quarters, and the America the Beautiful Quarters Programs. In this revived depiction, Washington’s portrait is larger and with higher relief. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2021.” The reverse (tails) design features General George Washington commanding his troops through the overnight crossing of the ice-choked Delaware River prior to the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War. Inscriptions are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "CROSSING THE DELAWARE," and "QUARTER DOLLAR.”

One Native American $1 Coin with the latest reverse (tails) design in the series. The 2021 design honors Native American military service. This reverse design features two eagle feathers, which were traditionally earned in battle or by performing a brave deed. Eagle feathers are revered, receiving the utmost care and handling, and are to be displayed proudly in homes. Stars representing five branches of the U.S. Military are in the foreground. A circle, a symbol with deep meaning to Native Americans, connects all the elements. Inscriptions include “NATIVE AMERICANS – DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE SINCE 1775,” “$1,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

• One silver Kennedy half dollar
• One silver Roosevelt dime
• One Jefferson nickel
• One Lincoln penny
• Silver content – 0. 984 oz. (27.90 g)

The Set is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

The 2021 United States Mint Silver Proof Set is a must-have for any collection. This unique and intriguing set makes a great gift for all ages and occasions—one sure to make anyone smile.

GRRiddler 2022

You're looking for a
medallion similar to this.

 Keeping in the tradition of the Wyoming Riddler, I've hidden a metal medallion somewhere in the greater Grand Rapids area. The medallion is marked with R.S.T.H (which means Read and Seek Treasure Hunt).  The puzzle can be solved by using a greater Grand Rapids area map to decipher the clues. The medallion is accessible 24 hours a day by the public. Additional clues will be released the first Tuesday of each month until February. The hunt will end on the last day of February. If the medallion is not returned to me by that time, the hunt will be over and the prizes will roll over to the next year.

On November 2, 2021, at 8:00pm Eastern time, the riddle was released on YouTube.

The Treasure

Similar to The Wyoming Riddler’s prizes, the treasure will include a coveted winner’s mug and "a treasure of silver and other items beyond description." The treasure will also include a carbon monoxide detector as a means to continue Joe's desire to educate people about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The highly coveted winner's mug!

The Silver

The original Wyoming Riddler, Joe Cramer, gave prizes of silver. In my first hunt, I continued that tradition and will continue to do so. This year's silver is a U.S. Mint 2021 Silver Proof Coin Set.

The 2021 United States Mint Silver Proof Set contains 7 proof coins, each bearing the “S” mint mark of the United States Mint at San Francisco. The set is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

The 2021 United States Mint Silver Proof Set features 7 proof coins encased in two clear plastic lenses in a beautifully designed package you’ll be proud to display. The quarters, dime, and half dollar are struck in 99.9 percent silver. The 2021 Silver Proof Set is a great addition to any collection.

The 2021 United States Mint Silver Proof Set includes the following coins:

The final quarter in the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program series honoring the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama. The reverse design depicts a Tuskegee Airman pilot suiting up to join the fight during World War II with the Moton Field control tower in the background. The pilot looks upward with pride and confidence as two P- 51 Mustangs pass overhead. The inscription “THEY FOUGHT TWO WARS” is arced across the top as a reference to the dual battles the Tuskegee Airmen fought – fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home. Inscriptions are “TUSKEGEE AIRMEN,” “ALABAMA,” “2021,” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”

One General George Washington Crossing the Delaware Quarter featuring an obverse (heads) design that marks a return to the familiar depiction of George Washington by John Flanagan as it appeared on the quarter from 1932 to 1998. The image was modified for the 50 State Quarters, the DC and U.S. Territories Quarters, and the America the Beautiful Quarters Programs. In this revived depiction, Washington’s portrait is larger and with higher relief. Inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2021.” The reverse (tails) design features General George Washington commanding his troops through the overnight crossing of the ice-choked Delaware River prior to the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War. Inscriptions are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "CROSSING THE DELAWARE," and "QUARTER DOLLAR.”

One Native American $1 Coin with the latest reverse (tails) design in the series. The 2021 design honors Native American military service. This reverse design features two eagle feathers, which were traditionally earned in battle or by performing a brave deed. Eagle feathers are revered, receiving the utmost care and handling, and are to be displayed proudly in homes. Stars representing five branches of the U.S. Military are in the foreground. A circle, a symbol with deep meaning to Native Americans, connects all the elements. Inscriptions include “NATIVE AMERICANS – DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE SINCE 1775,” “$1,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

• One silver Kennedy half dollar
• One silver Roosevelt dime
• One Jefferson nickel
• One Lincoln penny
• Silver content – 0. 984 oz. (27.90 g)

The Set is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

The 2021 United States Mint Silver Proof Set is a must-have for any collection. This unique and intriguing set makes a great gift for all ages and occasions—one sure to make anyone smile.

More Silver (Kind of)

Rose Marie (August 15, 1923 – December 28, 2017) was an American actress, singer, comedian, and vaudeville performer with a career that ultimately spanned nine decades - and included film, radio, records, theater, night clubs and television. As a child performer during the years just after the silent film era, she had a successful singing career under the stage name Baby Rose Marie. As an adult, she became one of the first major stars to be known simply by her given names.

Rose Marie was widely known for her role on the CBS situation comedy The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961–1966), as television comedy writer Sally Rogers, "who went toe-to-toe in a man’s world". Later she portrayed Myrna Gibbons on The Doris Day Show and was a 14-year panelist on The Hollywood Squares.

I was able to obtain a collection of Rose Marie's silverware from her daughter (who also included a certificate of authenticity). 

Markings: Insignia Plate E.P.N.S.	A1
ONEIDA LTD.	No other markings
ONEIDA LTD.	Silversmiths
ONEIDA LTD.	WM A. ROGERS A1 PLUS
ONEIDA LTD.	Silversmiths
COMMUNITY	No other markings
ONEIDA LTD.	WM A. ROGERS A1 PLUS
ONEIDA LTD.	WM A. ROGERS A1 PLUS
ONEIDA LTD.	WM A. ROGERS A1 PLUS
VICTOR S. CO.	A1+ OVERLAY I S
HOTEL D'ANGLETERRE	DFA
INTERNATIONAL S. CO. XII
REED & BARTON

Other Prizes

Joe Cramer's journey on the road to recovery from carbon monoxide poisoning was the genesis of The Wyoming Riddler. Throughout his career as the Riddler, he tried to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. With The Grand Rapids Riddler, I intend to keep the Riddler's journey going. The winner of GRRiddler 2022 will receive a Carbon Monoxide detector.

• CO detector that alerts with a warning signal against dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home
• Easy & quick installation - plugs directly into your home's standard wall outlet, 85 decibel alarm alerts of fire
• Protects during a power failure - 2-AA batteries, included with pack, provide backup service in the event of a power outage
• Whole home family protection - place 1 carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home & in your bedroom to protect from poisonous gases
• UL Certified, 10-year limited warranty

Word on Fire is back again this year! They've generously donated the following books with a total retail value of roughly $125. Bishop Barron and the Word on Fire team are at the forefront of the new media, reaching out to explain the rich history of the faith in a way that's easy to understand, yet not dumbed down.

The Wisdom of the Word: Biblical Answers to Ten Pressing Questions About Catholicism

Why believe God exists, or believe Jesus is God? Why listen to the Catholic Church? Why is the Church so strict about sex? Questions like these have propelled a crisis of disaffiliation and disbelief among Catholics in recent decades. Half of millennial Catholics have turned their backs on the Church, and at many churches, only a minority of parishioners believe in all of its teachings about faith and morality.

Building on the call of the Second Vatican Council for a greater appreciation of Scripture, The Wisdom of the Word invites Catholics who are thinking about leaving the Church, or who are confused about elements of Catholic faith and practice, to pause and give the Bible a chance to illuminate their way. From the infighting among the Catholic faithful to the sins of Catholic leaders, and from Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to the Church’s emphasis on caring for the poor, theologians Michael Dauphinais and Matthew Levering explore common challenges to the faith in light of the timeless insights of the Word.

Brilliant! 25 Catholic Scientists, Mathematicians, and Supersmart People

Think faith and science don’t go together? Think again! 

It’s important to teach children at a young age that faith and science are complementary! Too many people today—adults and children—think that faith and science don’t go together. In fact, many people who leave the Catholic Church report that they don’t believe faith is compatible with science. Sadly, one study found that the median age of people who leave the Church is surprisingly young—thirteen.  

In an effort to help children learn about the relationship between faith and science, the Daughters of Saint Paul, a premier publisher of Catholic children’s books for over seventy years through Pauline Books & Media, have partnered with the Word on Fire Institute to present an exciting new book for children: Brilliant! 25 Catholic Scientists, Mathematicians, and Supersmart People. The book introduces children to many of the Catholics who have been behind groundbreaking discoveries in science and math for centuries. Children will embark on an adventure through history where they’ll meet faith-filled pioneers in every field from anatomy to astrophysics. They’ll walk in the footsteps of these supersmart Catholics who changed the world and learn how brilliant they can be when they unite faith and science! 

Exploring Catholic Theology: Essays on God, Liturgy and Evangelization

Bishop Robert Barron is one of the Catholic Church's premier theologians and author of the influential The Priority of Christ. In this volume, Bishop Barron sets forth a thoroughgoing vision for an evangelical catholic theology that is steeped in the tradition and engaged with the contemporary world. Striking a balance between academic rigor and accessibility, the book covers issues of perennial interest in the twenty-first-century church: who God is, how to rightly worship him, and how his followers engage contemporary culture. Topics include the doctrine of God, Catholic theology, philosophy, liturgy, and evangelizing the culture. This work will be of special interest to readers concerned about the so-called "new atheism."

Renewing Our Hope: Essays for the New Evangelization

In a time of discouragement, how can the Church renew itself and its outreach to all people? Bishop Robert Barron, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, insists that a “dumbed down” Catholicism cannot succeed in today’s highly educated society—instead, the Church needs to draw upon its great theological heritage in order to renew its hope in Christ.

With Renewing Our Hope: Essays for the New Evangelization, Bishop Barron traces this renewal through four stages. “Renewing Our Mission” lays out the challenges that call for Catholics to become more aware of their own intellectual resources in encountering the “Nones.” “Renewing Our Minds” showcases the importance of theological reflection as a font of wisdom and sanity in the Church, touching on Thomas Aquinas, Hans Urs von Balthasar, the recently canonized John Henry Newman, and Pope Francis. In “Renewing the Church,” he proceeds to look at how Scripture, the family, the seminary, and Catholic college graduates can each contribute to this renewal. Finally, in “Renewing Our Culture,” Barron returns to the judgments Catholics must make in assessing contemporary culture, specifically, family life, liberalism, relativism, and (surprisingly) the beauty of cinema.

Bishop Barron, known as the host of the Catholicism PBS video series, was previously rector and professor of systematic theology at Mundelein Seminary outside Chicago, Illinois. He demonstrates again in Renewing Our Hope his ability to make the fruits of his wide reading accessible to a broad audience, while still giving his academic colleagues much to consider.

Vibrant Paradoxes: The Both/And of Catholicism

G.K. Chesterton once said that Catholicism keeps its beliefs "side by side like two strong colors, red and white...It has always had a healthy hatred of pink."

Catholicism is both/and, not either/or. It celebrates the union of contraries--grace and nature, faith and reason, Scripture and tradition, body and soul--in a way that the full energy of each opposing element remains in place.

In Vibrant Paradoxes, bestselling author Bishop Robert Barron brings together themes and motifs that many would consider mutually exclusive or, at best, awkward in their juxtaposition. But seen through the Incarnation, these opposites crash together and reflect new light in every direction requiring a new vision. This book will train you to see.

Give them a follow!

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Facebook (Bishop Barron)
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To be honest, I'm regifting this. Don't tell my mom. I'm not a big fan of Alexa, Siri or any other device that's intended to allow big tech to spy on me. I never took it out of the box. Now it could be yours!

• Echo Dot is a voice-controlled speaker that uses Alexa to play music, control smart home devices, make calls, answer questions, set timers and alarms, and more.
• Play music from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio.
• Call or message family and friends hands-free, or drop in from the Alexa App to your Echo device.
• Controls lights, locks, thermostats, and more with compatible connected devices.
• Use the built-in speaker, or for bigger sound, connect to speakers through Bluetooth or audio cable.
• 50,000+ skills, including Jeopardy!, Lyft, Audible, and Domino's. Always getting smarter and adding new features.
• Hears you from across the room with 7 far-field microphones for hands-free control, even in noisy environments or while playing music.

The Rules

(Borrowed extensively from The Wyoming Riddler)

You must find the medallion and personally bring it to me. Once you find it, email me with details about where you found it and we will arrange a time and place to meet. At that time, you may redeem the medallion for the prize. The medallion and prize exchange must be done in person. I will not accept photographs, mailed or anonymous claims. 

Some of The Wyoming Riddler's
medallions. Mine will be similar.

The medallion is accessible 24 hours a day without trespassing. It is not on private property. It is not completely buried. You may have to move grass, snow or leaves to see it. It is no higher than three feet above ground. 

The riddle tells you the location. It can be found by using a street map of the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area. You must figure out how. I will not deceive you.

Additional clues will be issued on the first Tuesday of every month until solved or until midnight on the last day of February. If the riddle is not solved by midnight on the last day of February, the game will end and the treasure will be added to the following year. You may email to ask questions. However, I will not answer questions that result in an advantage to you. By emailing questions, you are giving me authorization to post them publicly (without your name included) if I choose to do so.

My home or place of employment have no bearing on the medallion’s location. I have told no one of its location. Everyone is eligible to participate including past winners and their relatives.

You are looking for an oval metal medallion about the size of an index card. It has identifiable markings beyond those pictured, so attempting to counterfeit a medallion will be of no use. 

There is no cost to you. It is free for the enjoyment. This is a game and it’s just for fun. In the spirit of Joe Cramer (The Wyoming Riddler) I do ask you to remember the dangers related to chronic carbon monoxide poisoning.

Additional Stuff

In consideration of participating in this treasure hunt or any Read and Seek treasure hunt, and for other good and valuable consideration, you agree to release and discharge from liability Martin Smith and all other persons or entities acting for him (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Releasees") as follows:

1. You acknowledge that treasure hunting involves known and unanticipated risks which could result in physical or emotional injury and property damage. 

2. You expressly accept and assume all of the risks inherent in this activity. Your participation in this activity is purely voluntary and you elect to participate despite the risks. In addition, if at any time you believe that search conditions are unsafe or that you are unable to participate due to physical or medical conditions, then you will immediately discontinue participation.  

3. You hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Releasees from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action which are in any way connected with your participation in this treasure hunt.