The island of St. John is a treasure, and residents Denise Barbier and Jen Knowles Donnelly have conjured up an interactive treasure map to help visitors and locals enjoy it.

"We wanted to come up with a creative way to promote St. John and to have people make a connection with St. John. It’s a way to make memories," Donnelly said.

The St. John Treasure Map and Guide is also a vehicle for selling advertising. While the territory has many other maps and guidebooks with advertising, both Donnelly and Barbier said this was the first one that’s interactive.

It works like this. Many of the ads have questions that need answering. For example, the ad for Hinds Restaurant poses the question "Our country salad comes with a ——- hen egg. Answer the question correctly, and insert the fifth letter, numbered 36, in the corresponding spot in the box called "We Solved the Riddle." Enter the answer to the riddle on the Treasure Map and Tour Guide’s website for a chance to win a return trip to St. John.

The prize is a week-long stay at a villa, $400 toward airfare for as many as four people, a car rental, watersports, $500 in restaurant coupons, and $500 to spend at Pine Peace Market.

While that bonus would probably appeal to visitors, locals can enjoy things like percentages off at St. John grocery stores when they hit a certain dollar figure with their order.

In most cases, the questions require a visit to the business to find the answer since it’s unlikely anyone would know how many air conditioners keep Love City Mini Mart cool without going there to ask.

The map has four separate tours that come complete with questions to answer. Those using the map can head to the North Shore, the island’s center, Coral Bay and East End, and the south side of Coral Bay.

To add to the fun, Donnelly and Barbier used a computer program to convert the text from plain English to pirate speak.

"Descendin’ down Route 10 into the valley, ye be enter’ Coral, Bay, err "Never Never Land" – full o’ pirates, old hippies, goats and boats," Donnelly read from the map.

Barbier and Donnelly came to this endeavor after years spent in related industries. Donnelly is an owner at Jolly Dog shops in Coral Bay, but has a background in marketing and event coordination. With her parents’ roots in Canada, she was born in Montserrat, raised in Canada, and returned to Montserrat as an adult. When the Soufriere Hills Volcano went off in 1995, she moved to St. John.

Barbier was born in Michigan and sailed into St. John in 2002. She has a background in graphic design.

The two came out with the map in January and are now selling advertising for the 2011 edition. Additionally, they’re planning a similar map for St. Thomas.

"This is the most fun I’ve ever had while working," Barbier said.

They can be reached by calling 626-2505, sending e-mail to [email protected] or visiting www.islandtreasuremaps.com.