2026 Treasure Hunters Cookout and Reunion

[ropesfish]

OK...NEVER let it be said that someone did not have sufficient warning about the 2026 Treasure Hunters Cookout and Reunion to be held at the Pennwood Motor Lodge on APRIL 25th, 2026, commencing about 11 ish, serving lunch at 12:30 ish, with the usual raffles, drawings and auctions held at about 3 to benefit the Michael Apt Jr HaveAHeart Foundation and to support the continuation of the Cookout. This is the best Meet, Greet and Eat you'll find!

Ladies and gentlemen, tramps and thieves,
Dandies and damsels and men with no sleeves
Children and pirates, frenemies and backers
Divers and captains and parrots with crackers

and those who just want to have a great time,
It is time to get your ducks in a line.
The Cookout only comes by once every year
A time to meet and greet and hug some you hold dear.

Once again at the Pennwood, our most favorite motel
Where the famous and infamous stay cos the Pennwood don't tell
Eat some ribs, tell some stories, raise some money
Listen to Brad Brock sing and I'll try to be funny

Friends old and new, whether cheerful or surly
It's not a long way, if it is, just start early
Dont make excuses, just make tracks
This is no rumor, this is nothing but facts

Donate to Michael Jr's foundation for defibrillation
Put your highroller hat on, send the accountant on vacation.
The more money we raise, the more kids we can save
and the more and more fun we all will have.

We start in the mornin, around 10 or 11
by 1230 hrs it will be barbecue heaven
175 lbs of ribs and some burgers, sausages and chicken
We'll supply napkins but your fingers, you'll be lickin'

Show up on April 25th, see both your foes and your friends
The seas go on forever so the party never ends.

 

[russau]

Good poem ! I'm sure all will have a great time full of memories !

 

[ropesfish]

Well...things change. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but our beloved Pennwood Motor Lodge has been sold and is closing as of the next 7-10 days. I have been told that it is to be repurposed into something else and while I wish the new owners luck...well..dammit.
Everyone hold on to your socks while we figure this out. We have another venue in our sights.
Expect an alternate site to be named by Dec 1.
Remain calm!
Pennwood Motor Lodge - all the best in your new era!

 

[Denniss]

TC Palm had an article on the Pennwood

Pennwood Motor Lodge to become Habitat for Humanity affordable housing

Pennwood Motor Lodge was built by treasure hunting legend Kip Wagner and was a hideout for fugitive treasure hunter Tommy Thompson.

www.tcpalm.com

 

[agflit]

Seriously?....unbelievable. Just freakin unbelievable.... sighs

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Well, at least it is being converted for seniors....

 

[Denniss]

No telling what the construction workers find when they start remodelling the place, Tommy Thompson's treasure? It would be fun to have a last party at the site and turn everybody lose with metal detectors and shovels

 

[agflit]

lol...me wonders if Dennis is on to something!!! I'm sure we'll read about something in the papers at some point....

It just pisses me off that EVERYTHING related to our history of treasure hunting is either illegal, govment run/owned or seized.
That location should be a freakin National Landmark...


Sighs...jmo.

 

[Ryno]

I may have to put this on my calendar. Be a nice trip and meeting people. Any excuse to leave Ky and hit the beach is nice to me.

 

[ARC]

Wonder.........
Tommy Thompson hide those "missing" gold coins in the walls or on the grounds of the ole Penwood ?

Oh sheesh... did i just birth a legend ? ? ?

:P

 

[ropesfish]

Wonder.........
Tommy Thompson hide those "missing" gold coins in the walls or on the grounds of the ole Penwood ?

Oh sheesh... did i just birth a legend ? ? ?

:P

LOL...no. Not a 'new' legend, myth or tall tale. Since Tommy's arrest, there has been a good bit of interest by various government agencies already. A few years ago some 3 letter agency showed up with a bunch of agents with detectors and did a multi-day search, which was not their first outing there. As far as anyone knows they found nothing.

 

[ropesfish]

and by the way... I have a new site in my sights for the Cookout. It's a great spot and soon as I get the deposits paid, I'll announce the location.
I CAN say that it is within a few miles of the Pennwood and has a lot of room and good/great facilities.

 

[Boatlode]

and by the way... I have a new site in my sights for the Cookout. It's a great spot and soon as I get the deposits paid, I'll announce the location.
I CAN say that it is within a few miles of the Pennwood and has a lot of room and good/great facilities.

Hey Capn Bill - any word on the new location? Just checking in.

 

[ropesfish]

Boy, am I glad you reminded me!! The Cookout will be at the Kiwanis Hobart Park, just a couple of miles from the now-closed Pennwood Motor Lodge we all enjoyed.
April 25th, 2026. Folks will be there after 9 AM setting up chairs, etc.
It's true! We are going to do it again!!!
Bring a covered side, dessert dish or a cooler with drinks if you like - we'll be serving ribs, burgers and hot dogs.
Lunch is free, but monetary donations to defray expenses are always appreciated.
There will be raffles and a charity auction as well.
10 of my poetry books and all of my personal collection of treasure books will be on the raffle and auction.
IF you would like to help the Cookout AND the Michael Abt Jr Have A Heart Foundation, donations to the raffle and charity auction would be appreciated!!

Who!?! -You, me and 300 of our closest friends and acquaintances.
What!?! - The 16th Pretty Annual Treasure Hunters Cookout and Reunion
When?! - Somewhere around noon on April 25th,
Where? The Kiwanis Hobart Park, Pavilions 1 and 2, located at 5100 77th St, Vero Beach, Florida
Why? To promote fellowship and camaraderie amongst the treasure-hunting community, renew old friendships, begin new friendships and most importantly -raise money for the Michael Abt Jr. Have A Heart Foundation

Michael Abt Jr. Have a Heart Foundation

How can you help?

haveaheartformichael.org

Here is the location for those who prefer GPS coordinates: 27°43'59.44" N 80°26'30.02" W
Here is a link to the Google Maps location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jBnw15JZdEp1D27o7
Here is an aerial of the KHP:

and what the entrance looks like:

 

[Ryno]

As of now I plan on attending. I hope to visit daughter near Charleston on way then spend about 5 days around Vero Beach doing some metal detecting on the beach. Looking forward to networking and meeting new friends. If anyone wants to get out detecting any if I make it down there, that would be great. I'm sort of stuck on beach detecting now Not many beaches here in Ky. Hope you all have a great day and good luck hunting

 

[Boatlode]

Boy, am I glad you reminded me!! The Cookout will be at the Kiwanis Hobart Park, just a couple of miles from the now-closed Pennwood Motor Lodge we all enjoyed.
April 25th, 2026. Folks will be there after 9 AM setting up chairs, etc.
It's true! We are going to do it again!!!
Bring a covered side, dessert dish or a cooler with drinks if you like - we'll be serving ribs, burgers and hot dogs.
Lunch is free, but monetary donations to defray expenses are always appreciated.
There will be raffles and a charity auction as well.
10 of my poetry books and all of my personal collection of treasure books will be on the raffle and auction.
IF you would like to help the Cookout AND the Michael Abt Jr Have A Heart Foundation, donations to the raffle and charity auction would be appreciated!!

Who!?! -You, me and 300 of our closest friends and acquaintances.
What!?! - The 16th Pretty Annual Treasure Hunters Cookout and Reunion
When?! - Somewhere around noon on April 25th,
Where? The Kiwanis Hobart Park, Pavilions 1 and 2, located at 5100 77th St, Vero Beach, Florida
Why? To promote fellowship and camaraderie amongst the treasure-hunting community, renew old friendships, begin new friendships and most importantly -raise money for the Michael Abt Jr. Have A Heart Foundation

Michael Abt Jr. Have a Heart Foundation

How can you help?

haveaheartformichael.org

Here is the location for those who prefer GPS coordinates: 27°43'59.44" N 80°26'30.02" W
Here is a link to the Google Maps location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jBnw15JZdEp1D27o7
Here is an aerial of the KHP:

View attachment 2246163

and what the entrance looks like:View attachment 2246165

Got it.

Looks like there's a nice pond there. Might need to bring my bream rod and some beetle spins.

 

[ropesfish]

Who- Treasure hunters, metal detectorists, treasure collectors, treasure admirers, archaeologists, historians and other interested parties.
What- Treasure Hunter's Cookout and Reunion
When - April 25th, 2026
Where - Kiwanis Hobart Park, 5555 77th St, Vero Beach, FL 32967
Why? - It is a opportunity to see old friends, make new friends and raise money for the Michael Abt Jr. Have-A-Heart Foundation.What will happen? We'll have some ribs, tell some fibs, relax in the Florida sun and talk about those who did not come. We have raffles and an auction to raise some money, we'll tell some stories, some may be funny. We have some music, we have lots of time, bring your wallet, I'll bring a rhyme.
Bring dessert or a side dish, bring your kids or your new pet fish We'll try to fulfill your lunchtime wish
and we do it all for DONATIONS!!!

 

[ropesfish]

To Tommy "Harvey" Thompson: You are cordially invited to attend the 16th Treasure Hunter's Cookout and Reunion at the Kiwanis Hobart Park SW of the Pennwood on April 26 of this year as well as any other hoe-down, wing-ding, seminar, symposium or drinking competition I might hold in the future. I'll save a plate of ribs for you.
Sincerely,
Bill Black

 

[Red_desert]

To Tommy "Harvey" Thompson: You are cordially invited to attend the 16th Treasure Hunter's Cookout and Reunion at the Kiwanis Hobart Park SW of the Pennwood on April 26 of this year as well as any other hoe-down, wing-ding, seminar, symposium or drinking competition I might hold in the future. I'll save a plate of ribs for you.
Sincerely,
Bill Black

Be waiting to see if he shows up

 

[Marine Archaeology Int.]

OK...NEVER let it be said that someone did not have sufficient warning about the 2026 Treasure Hunters Cookout and Reunion to be held at the Pennwood Motor Lodge on APRIL 25th, 2026, commencing about 11 ish, serving lunch at 12:30 ish, with the usual raffles, drawings and auctions held at about 3 to benefit the Michael Apt Jr HaveAHeart Foundation and to support the continuation of the Cookout. This is the best Meet, Greet and Eat you'll find!

Ladies and gentlemen, tramps and thieves,
Dandies and damsels and men with no sleeves
Children and pirates, frenemies and backers
Divers and captains and parrots with crackers

and those who just want to have a great time,
It is time to get your ducks in a line.
The Cookout only comes by once every year
A time to meet and greet and hug some you hold dear.

Once again at the Pennwood, our most favorite motel
Where the famous and infamous stay cos the Pennwood don't tell
Eat some ribs, tell some stories, raise some money
Listen to Brad Brock sing and I'll try to be funny

Friends old and new, whether cheerful or surly
It's not a long way, if it is, just start early
Dont make excuses, just make tracks
This is no rumor, this is nothing but facts

Donate to Michael Jr's foundation for defibrillation
Put your highroller hat on, send the accountant on vacation.
The more money we raise, the more kids we can save
and the more and more fun we all will have.

We start in the mornin, around 10 or 11
by 1230 hrs it will be barbecue heaven
175 lbs of ribs and some burgers, sausages and chicken
We'll supply napkins but your fingers, you'll be lickin'

Show up on April 25th, see both your foes and your friends
The seas go on forever so the party never ends.

Bill, me and some of my SILVERLINE Archaeology members will be there. Looking forward to it.

German Moro