Long Island Resident Finds Treasure in Florida

July 23, 2008

(Stuart, F.L.) — Long Island resident Lisa Gagliano was the first visitor to find ‘hidden treasure’ in the Martin County (Florida) Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Summer Treasures campaign.

Gagliano, a resident of Seaford, New York, found the small glass and gold adorned treasure chest containing Mardi Gras beads, silver and gold doubloons and while visiting the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, Florida with her children. Included in the chest was an entry form for a chance to win real treasure. Gagliano’s mother Barbara Hayes returned the chest and entry form for her daughter, who returned to New York the day after finding the chest.

According to Mary Palczer, the interim executive director of the Martin County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Gagliano didn’t come to Martin County because of the treasure hunts. However, after stumbling upon the chest and learning more about the campaign, Palczer shared vacationing on the Treasure Coast will probably have new meaning for the Gagliano family.

Every day of July, four treasure chests are being randomly hidden throughout Martin County. Locations include parks, attractions, downtowns, shopping centers and other venues tourists to the area may visit. At the end of July, one lucky treasure hunter will win the real deal—jewelry—including an exact reproduction of an actual Spanish treasure coin from the Atocha minted with silver actually salvaged from the legendary galleon that was sunk by a hurricane in 1622 twenty miles west of the Florida Keys.

In addition to the hidden treasure chest hunt, a summer-long old-fashioned self-guided hunt, complete with treasure map and riddles, takes participants coast-to-coast (Atlantic Ocean to Lake Okeechobee) across Martin County to points of historic interest or importance, landmarks, as well as area attractions. Treasure Hunters who ‘discover’ or correctly answer the most number of riddles and clues will have a chance to win a six-day, five-night vacation at the Hutchinson Island Marriot Resort and Marina, plus a gift card for $500 worth of gas.

Also in July (Saturday, July 26), a high-tech one-day geo caching treasure hunt using global positioning system (GPS) devices will guide treasure seekers to destinations throughout historic downtown Stuart. Treasure hunters who find more than three caches will have a chance to win a three-day, two-night stay at the Caribbean Shores Resort in Jensen Beach and a $500 gas card.

Located on Florida’s east coast, just a two hour drive from Miami or Orlando, Martin County offers visitors a vacation paradise with no high-rise buildings, no crowds, and miles of waterways and pristine beaches, featuring the charm and authenticity that made Florida famous.

Summer Treasures runs through September 30. For more information visit www.MartinCountyFLA.com or call 877-585-0085.

###

Photo: Barbara Hayes, the mother of Seaford, New York resident Lisa Gagliano returns the treasure chest her daughter found while visiting the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center on Hutchinson Island in Martin County, Florida.