For sisters Edna Yeager and Linda Kuyoth, the Sylvania 250 Scavenger Hunt has become much more than a monthly contest. It has evolved into a shared adventure, a chance to spend time together, and an opportunity to discover new details about the community they have called home for years.

The sisters, who enjoy traveling and exploring together, were eager to participate when they learned about the scavenger hunt, part of Sylvania’s America 250 celebration. Their enthusiasm quickly paid off. Kuyoth submitted the first correct entry identifying the March collection of 25 photos, while Yeager claimed the monthly prize in May.

“We were busy in April with family birthdays and Easter, so our entries were a little too late, and we missed out that month,” Kuyoth said.

Determined not to miss another opportunity, the sisters now reserve the first day of every month for their scavenger hunt adventures. Armed with the latest photos on their phones, they meet for coffee around 9 a.m. and begin plotting their route, identifying as many landmarks and clues as possible before heading out.

“Even when we think we know what the photo is, we still go check it out,” Kuyoth said. “Edna drives, and I navigate. We joke that maybe we need a bumper sticker that says, ‘Scavenger Hunters at Work,’ so people understand why we might be driving so slowly.”

“However, we are on a mission,” Yeager added with a laugh. “We go slow if we have to. We keep searching until we find our object. Many times, we have to compare the background as well as the object itself to make sure we have the right location. It is all so much fun, and we love finding each one.”

While the sisters have successfully tracked down most of the clues, a few have proven challenging.

“There have been some photos that really stumped us,” Yeager said. “Fortunately, my husband Brian and my children have helped us out. Both of our families love that we are so involved with this.”

Beyond the excitement of the hunt, the sisters say the experience has deepened their appreciation for Sylvania.

“Even though we have lived here for years, we are learning so much,” Kuyoth said. “The scavenger hunt has made us much more aware of the details and history all around us. That, in itself, is a very good thing.”

As they prepare for the July scavenger hunt, the sisters are already looking ahead to another America 250 activity — the Time Travelers Passport program. Participants who visit at least eight of 12 designated historical sites throughout northwest Ohio will receive a commemorative America 250 coin.

“We’re going to visit all 12,” Yeager said.