READY, SET, HUNT — Judy Schmidt, right, president of the Steubenville Art Association, was joined by her grandchildren, Olivia and Brady Reese, in hiding 50 wooden medallions throughout Beatty Park Tuesday morning. The scavenger hunt is a small gift to children in the community, a way to make them smile after finding one in either the playground or StoryWalk areas. Members of the SAA painted a variety of nature items onto the medallions since the hunt takes place within nature. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Perhaps there is nothing better in this world than to see a child smile. And that is the intention of members of the Steubenville Art Association.

Members of the SAA wanted to bring some unexpected happiness into the hearts of young boys and girls throughout the area.

So, they decided to paint approximately 50 wooden medallions and hide them within Beatty Park in the hopes that the youth will discover one and take their found treasure home.

According to SAA President Judy Schmidt, she, along with members Tammy Rogers, Francesca Veltri, Jennifer Ingram, Aggie Wiltrout, Alysia Basluke and Sara Cunningham, painted various nature depictions onto the round wooden pieces that were tied with yarn or twine to form a medallion.

Pictures of different types of animals, bugs, flowers and other gifts of the wild were featured.

Schmidt explained these unexpected finds were hidden throughout Beatty Park Tuesday morning. Visitors will have the opportunity to play a scavenger hunt, if they so choose, to see how many they can find.

The medallions have been hidden in the playground area, continuing up into the StoryWalk area, Schmidt noted. She stated her grandchildren, Olivia and Brady Reese, helped her hide the medallions in areas where a small child could easily find one. There are some medallions hidden in more difficult areas for the older children to discover one.

“Many artists in the SAA like to do community service projects — especially for children,” Schmidt commented. “Tammy Rogers came up with this idea. We enjoy having them get excited about art, because they are the next generation of SAA artists.”

The wooden nature pieces can be hung on a wall or placed on a backpack, Schmidt said, adding they can also be saved for hanging on one’s Christmas tree as a reminder of their summer spent in Beatty Park.

The SAA is planning to hold a Christmas-themed scavenger hunt during the holiday season at the park located at the Historic Fort Steuben Visitor Center.

“So, the next time you take your little ones to Beatty Park, have a look around and see what you can find,” Schmidt concluded. “We will have a surprise for whoever can find the most.”

Schmidt asked if those who locate a medallion could take a picture and send it to her through a text message at (740) 424-3835.

She said she is curious to find out how many children are participating in the scavenger hunt, and is hoping these small gestures will be able to make their new owners smile.