Dennis Boothby, Author at The Ring Finders

Seventy Year Old Wedding Ring Lost In The Rochester, New Hampshire Grass, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Monday morning, November 17th, I received a call from Andrew. His 89 year old Grandfather, Arthur,  had lost his yellow gold wedding ring, three weeks prior, on his property, in Rochester New Hampshire. Now here’s the kicker, Arthur has been married and has been wearing this same ring for 70 years. WOW!!! I need to find this very sentimental, 70 year old wedding ring.

Arthur, although 89 years young still did work around his property and on the day he lost his wedding ring, had been throwing down bark mulch, along the flowers and plants, that ran along the house. Once Arthur had finished and was inside the house, he noticed his wedding ring, was no longer on his finger. Subsequent searches by Arthur, his daughter and Andrew, came up empty. A metal detector had also been used on the mulch beds and still no ring was found. The family’s thought was that the ring may be further down below the plastic that Arthur had put down in the flower beds, before throwing down the bark mulch. Andrew asked if I could come and give it a shot. He told me the area was very small, telling me, “ Facing the house (front) there’s two sections of mulch spread out in about a 20’x20′ area.  The mulching to the left side (while facing the house) is where he believes he lost the ring.   Let me know when you are planning on heading there and I will meet you there.” Perfect, a small area and I told Andrew that I could be there by 12 noon.

Cheryl Sargent Boothby and I left the Saco Main Street area and arrived at Andrew’s grandfathers house, in Rochester, New Hampshire, in just over an hour later. When we arrived, there was no one there. I messaged Andrew and he was on his way and would be there in approximately 15 minutes. I told him I would start searching without him. I looked at the mulch beds and knew I could search the entire area in just 10 minutes. As usual, there is a lot of metal along houses. Rebar in the concrete foundation and stairs, the bulkhead, garden lighting, etc.. I was hoping I wouldn’t get too much interference, from all this metal. As I started my search, Andrew’s mother, Arthur’s daughter arrived. I told her that I had only one target in the mulch bed, that was even remotely close to gold and it was deeper than the mulch. It was under the plastic tarp, Arthur had laid down, prior to applying the mulch. We cut the tarp open and the target was just a piece of  a small aluminum clamp. I finished the mulch beds and still no ring, when Andrew arrived. I showed him what I had found and told me that the ring, is not in the mulch bed but I would search it a second time and asked him if he would like to  use my other  metal detector and search also. Andrew was all for it and after getting the machine set up and a quick lesson for andrew, we search the mulch beds again. 5 minutes later, we finished and the same results, no ring. I then started asking Andrew many questions, “Did your grandfather work anywhere else on the property? Where were the bags of mulch placed, when he was grabbing and opening them? Had he thrown the discarded bags away”. Had he walked around the grass anywhere?”  Andrew didn’t know the answers to these questions, other than the bags of bark mulch had been just a few feet from the bulkhead. I was really concerned that the ring ended up in a discarded bag of mulch and thrown away. He could easily have lost the ring when he was reaching into the bags and grabbing mulch. Andrews mother checked the shed but the bags had already been discarded and were gone. He did lose it three weeks ago, so now the ring could be anywhere. I told Andrew we just needed to expand the search, to the lawn, around the mulch beds. We would start along the house, grid back and forth, working our way further away from the house. I was on the side of the house, near the bulkhead and Andrew was on the front left corner of the house, as you faced the house. My first pass yielded nothing. I turned, took a half step away from the house and headed back towards the bulkhead and left front corner, of the house. Just as I arrived at the bulkhead, I received the unmistakable sound of a non ferrous low conducting metal. Could it be Arthur’s gold ring, foil, aluminum pull tab, another small piece of an aluminum clamp? The detector was going off nice and loud, repeating the signal. Andrew stopped and was watching me. I looked down and it took me a second but I could see a nice round circular piece of metal, pressed into the ground and it was gold in color. It was a ring, Arthur’s ring. Andrew was still looking at me and I said, “I found it, I got the ring.” Andrew just yelled out in joy and told me, as he walked over to me, that as he was watching me, he saw my eyes get big and my face had changed into a big happy face. He knew I had something good. Andrew thanked me many times and shook my hand, saying, “You guys are the best.”. In just 30-35 minutes of searching and the mood had definitely grown happier. I always feel great to hear praise like that. Arthur’s wedding ring was pressed, into the ground, flush. It is my opinion that the ring would never have been seen, in that position. It blended right in with the surrounding grass. It appears that the ring had been stepped on, probably while Arthur was still working in the area, or while everyone was walking around searching, for the ring, 3 weeks earlier. Andrew then called his mother, who had left, to tell her the good news. Unfortunately, I was not able to meet Arthur and reunite him with his 70 year old wedding ring, that he has been without, for the past 3 weeks. Arthur and his wife, are out of town, on a trip. Andrew would be calling him up and telling him the good news. So, another ring is going back on the finger and there are smiles all around. I have the best job in the world.😀❤️🙏

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Newlywed’s Gold Wedding Ring Lost In The Portland Maine Hay, Found Visually, While Searching With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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Sunday morning, November 23rd, I received a phone call, from Chase. Chase told me that 2 days previously, on Friday, he noticed his wedding ring was missing. I asked him where he lost it and Chase said it could possibly be in two different places. The most likely area was at a new home construction, in Portland, Maine or inside a buying being totally rehabbed, also in Portland. The new home construction was where Chase thought his wedding ring was lost. He had been throwing down hay, on the new lawn and at one point, he actually felt his wedding ring slipping off and he caught it, before the ring actually left his finger. When he finished with the lawn, he drove over to the building being rehabbed and worked there for the next two hours, before he noticed his wedding ring was no longer on his finger. Chase searched the building he was currently working in but could not find the ring. He had been tearing down the walls, to the studs and throwing the debris, into a dumpster. Chase was really hoping the ring wasn’t in the dumpster, full of demo. He remembered the ring almost coming off, at the new construction and headed back there, visually searching the hay, he had thrown down. Unfortunately this search and a subsequent search, the next day resulted in disappointment. The wedding ring was not found. I told Chase I could absolutely search the hay, at the new construction site but the indoor rehab site would have to be a visual search only. There is just to much metal, inside buildings and our metal detectors, do not work well, at all. As I was the only one home watching our 8 year old Granddaughter, I told Chase I would be right out there, once my daughter got off work or my wife Cheryl returned home, from her 5 mile walk. About an hour later, Cheryl returned home and I headed to Portland.

When I arrived at the new construction, in Portland, Chase was already there, waiting inside his truck, for me. After a greeting, Chase told me the ring was new, as he had just gotten married, in October. I told him that I have had many newlywed recoveries, as the rings just don’t always fit right and the newlyweds just aren’t use to having a ring on. I was praying to myself to find this wedding ring, for Chase and his bride. We then got right down to business. Chase reexplained everything and walked me around the new construction and showed me where he had been putting the hay down, which ended up around the entire house. The area wasn’t large at all and I thought to myself that I should be able to cover the entire area, in just 30 minutes or so. I started the search, on the left front corner of the building , as you faced it and would work my way clockwise, around the building. As I started searching, I was finding quite of few pieces of construction metal, go figure. Small pieces of aluminum, copper, brass, etc.. Chase continued his visual search, for his ring, just a few feet ahead of me, occasionally coming back to see what had set my detector off. Unfortunately, I had finished the left side of the house and the backyard, with no ring being found. As I was heading down the right side of the house, I had completed approximately 2/3 of the searchable area and was starting to get nervous, as I was running out of real estate to search. As I was making my way down the right side of the house, with Chase just 10 feet or so ahead of me, I heard Chase say something to me and I looked in his direction. He was hold something up and showing me, as I asked, “Is that the ring, did you find it?’ As Chase nodded his head up and down, he said “Yes, I found it”. I walked right over to him and gave him a high 5 and congratulated him. He looked at me and said “Do you know how many times I have walked and looked at the hay, in this area, the last few days. It just blends in with the hay.” Chase and I both had big smiles and I could see the relief, on his face. He was one happy newlywed as I am sure his wife, Annie was, as he sent her a photo of the ring. I always say that once I am on scene it becomes a team effort. Clients will continue to search visually and if the area is large enough, I will bring an extra metal detector, with me, that my client may use. It doesn’t matter who finds the ring. The goal is to put the ring back on the finger. Mission accomplished. After all, Teamwork is Dreamwork.
I also told Chase and Annie that in his line of work, construction, Chase should wear his silicone ring. Working with your hands all day is just an invitation to lose the ring. It is also very possible to severely damage the ring, while building homes. Chase already is wearing his silicone ring and actually had it on, when I arrived. Better safe than sorry. I personally remove my wedding ring, whenever I go metal detecting, doing yard work or go to the beach. Again, better safe than sorry. It’s so much easier to replace an inexpensive ring, than a very sentimental ring.
So, another ring back on the finger and another smile on the face. I’ll say it again, “I have the best job in the world and there is no better feeling than to help someone get their very sentimental ring back.”
I would like to congratulate Annie and Chase, on their recent marriage Here is wishing Annie and Chase a lifetime of love and happiness 😀❤️🙏

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Seventy Year Old Gold Wedding Ring Lost In The Rochester, New Hampshire Grass, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Monday morning, November 17th, I received a call from Andrew. His 89 year old Grandfather, Arthur,  had lost his yellow gold wedding ring, three weeks prior, on his property, in Rochester New Hampshire. Now here’s the kicker, Arthur has been married and has been wearing this same ring for 70 years. WOW!!! I need to find this very sentimental, 70 year old wedding ring.

Arthur, although 89 years young still did work around his property and on the day he lost his wedding ring, had been throwing down bark mulch, along the flowers and plants, that ran along the house. Once Arthur had finished and was inside the house, he noticed his wedding ring, was no longer on his finger. Subsequent searches by Arthur, his daughter and Andrew, came up empty. A metal detector had also been used on the mulch beds and still no ring was found. The family’s thought was that the ring may be further down below the plastic that Arthur had put down in the flower beds, before throwing down the bark mulch. Andrew asked if I could come and give it a shot. He told me the area was very small, telling me, “ Facing the house (front) there’s two sections of mulch spread out in about a 20’x20′ area.  The mulching to the left side (while facing the house) is where he believes he lost the ring.   Let me know when you are planning on heading there and I will meet you there.” Perfect, a small area and I told Andrew that I could be there by 12 noon.

Cheryl Sargent Boothby and I left the Saco Main Street area and arrived at Andrew’s grandfathers house, in Rochester, New Hampshire, in just over an hour later. When we arrived, there was no one there. I messaged Andrew and he was on his way and would be there in approximately 15 minutes. I told him I would start searching without him. I looked at the mulch beds and knew I could search the entire area in just 10 minutes. As usual, there is a lot of metal along houses. Rebar in the concrete foundation and stairs, the bulkhead, garden lighting, etc.. I was hoping I wouldn’t get too much interference, from all this metal. As I started my search, Andrew’s mother, Arthur’s daughter arrived. I told her that I had only one target in the mulch bed, that was even remotely close to gold and it was deeper than the mulch. It was under the plastic tarp, Arthur had laid down, prior to applying the mulch. We cut the tarp open and the target was just a piece of  a small aluminum clamp. I finished the mulch beds and still no ring, when Andrew arrived. I showed him what I had found and told me that the ring, is not in the mulch bed but I would search it a second time and asked him if he would like to  use my other  metal detector and search also. Andrew was all for it and after getting the machine set up and a quick lesson for andrew, we search the mulch beds again. 5 minutes later, we finished and the same results, no ring. I then started asking Andrew many questions, “Did your grandfather work anywhere else on the property? Where were the bags of mulch placed, when he was grabbing and opening them? Had he thrown the discarded bags away”. Had he walked around the grass anywhere?”  Andrew didn’t know the answers to these questions, other than the bags of bark mulch had been just a few feet from the bulkhead. I was really concerned that the ring ended up in a discarded bag of mulch and thrown away. He could easily have lost the ring when he was reaching into the bags and grabbing mulch. Andrews mother checked the shed but the bags had already been discarded and were gone. He did lose it three weeks ago, so now the ring could be anywhere. I told Andrew we just needed to expand the search, to the lawn, around the mulch beds. We would start along the house, grid back and forth, working our way further away from the house. I was on the side of the house, near the bulkhead and Andrew was on the front left corner of the house, as you faced the house. My first pass yielded nothing. I turned, took a half step away from the house and headed back towards the bulkhead and left front corner, of the house. Just as I arrived at the bulkhead, I received the unmistakable sound of a non ferrous low conducting metal. Could it be Arthur’s gold ring, foil, aluminum pull tab, another small piece of an aluminum clamp? The detector was going off nice and loud, repeating the signal. Andrew stopped and was watching me. I looked down and it took me a second but I could see a nice round circular piece of metal, pressed into the ground and it was gold in color. It was a ring, Arthur’s ring. Andrew was still looking at me and I said, “I found it, I got the ring.” Andrew just yelled out in joy and told me, as he walked over to me, that as he was watching me, he saw my eyes get big and my face had changed into a big happy face. He knew I had something good. Andrew thanked me many times and shook my hand, saying, “You guys are the best.”. In just 30-35 minutes of searching and the mood had definitely grown happier. I always feel great to hear praise like that. Arthur’s wedding ring was pressed, into the ground, flush. It is my opinion that the ring would never have been seen, in that position. It blended right in with the surrounding grass. It appears that the ring had been stepped on, probably while Arthur was still working in the area, or while everyone was walking around searching, for the ring, 3 weeks earlier. Andrew then called his mother, who had left, to tell her the good news. Unfortunately, I was not able to meet Arthur and reunite him with his 70 year old wedding ring, that he has been without, for the past 3 weeks. Arthur and his wife, are out of town, on a trip. Andrew would be calling him up and telling him the good news. So, another ring is going back on the finger and there are smiles all around. I have the best job in the world.😀❤️🙏

 

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Gold And Diamond Engagement Ring Lost In The New Hampshire Grass and Leaves, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I received a call from Kevin, on late Thursday afternoon, November 13th. Kevin told me that a white gold engagement ring had been lost, in the backyard, of his New Hampshire home.  I then asked him how long ago the engagement ring had been lost and why did he think the ring was out in the backyard? “Did your wife see or feel the ring come off, in the backyard”? Kevin replied that “The ring was lost last night. We were having a disagreement and the ring flew out the upstairs window and into the backyard. I have looked for it but can’t find it. I even threw quarters out the window to see where they would land, but the grass is tall and leaves are everywhere”. Well, ok then. These things do happen and Gary and I have been involved in 5-6 of these, over the last few years. Gary actually found a thrown ring earlier this year. The wedding ring had been thrown into the woods, back in 1997 and the ring was found 5” in the ground. That’s right, the ring had been in the woods, lost,  for approximately 27 years. Anyways, this isn’t the first thrown ring and certainly won’t be the last. Kevin wanted to know if I would be able to search, for the ring, in the morning. I told Kevin I would definitely be there in the morning, probably around 9:00am. Kevin then asked if anyone needed  to be there, as both he and his wife would be leaving for work, while it was still dark out. I told Kevin that no-one needed to be there but asked if he could send me a photo, of the area, that needed to be searched. Kevin agreed and actually sent me two photos. One photo was of the backyard, taken from the window, that the ring was thrown out of. The second photo was taken outside , showing the upstairs window, that the ring was thrown out of. This was perfect and the area was very small. Looking at the photos, I figured I could cover the area in just 20-30 minutes, max.

So, this morning, Cheryl and I headed out to New Hampshire. We arrived at right at 9:00am. We walked out back and the first thing I noticed was just how many leaves were in the yard, mixed in with the tall grass. No wonder Kevin didn’t find the ring. I decided to start at the top of the slope, because we found a test Quarter, that Kevin had thrown out the window. As I worked my way down the slope, I wasn’t receiving any targets, at all. A very clean lawn. Once I arrived at the bottom of the slope, I was making my way southeast, when nI received a nice sounding low tone, reading as a 19, on my VDI screen. Definitely in the gold range. I couldn’t see anthill because of the thick grass and leaves. I then took my pinpointer out and started zeroing in on the target. Once I pinpointed the target, I started removing some leaves with my hand, when I saw a beautiful engagement ring, staring back at me. We had found the ring in only 5-6 minutes. Because of the circumstances, I knew the ring should be found fairly quickly but it is still a relief when you actually see the ring. Since both Kevin and his wife were not home, I took a photo and sent it to Kevin, showing the engagement ring and my business card. Kevin replied “ WOW, that was fast.” I replied “5-6 minutes, Down over the hill.” He replied “Wow, In the leaves.” Because neither Kevin or his wife were home , Kevin asked me to place the ring in the garage.  “The garage side door is open, you can leave it in a tool box drawer. Can’t miss it.” I went into the garage side door, to look for the tool box. Cheryl went to our vehicle, to find a sandwich bag, to place the ring in. I found the large tool box, with no issue. Cheryl brought the sandwich bag to me and we placed the engagement ring, the quarter and my business card, into it. I then opened one of the drawers and placed the bag under some tool,  in the back right corner, of the drawer. Now this was a little unnerving to me. I really didn’t feel right just hiding the ring, inside a garage but Kevin told me neither of them would be home until 5:00pm or so. I then asked Kevin to let us know as soon as they get home and have found the ring. I have enough stress, in my life, I don’t need to worry about an engagement ring I found and left behind. At just after 5:00pm, Kevin texted me and said, “Got it!!! Back on the finger.” Kevin then thank me again and Cheryl and I couldn’t be happier or more relieved. 

Like I have mentioned, Rings being thrown are nothing new to us and we don’t judge people for these occurrences. They happen and will continue to happen and we will continue to help find them, free of judgement. I am just so thankful that Kevin called me immediately. If the backyard had been raked, mulched, mowed, etc., who knows if the ring would have been found. Kevin did the exact correct thing he should have done. He did not disturb the area and he called us for help. After approximately 16 hours after being thrown, the ring was found and returned. Another ring is back on the finger and everyone is smiling tonight. Kevin and his wife were not home, so I was unable to get a photo with either of them. We have the best job in the world.

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Property Marker Pin Lost In Kennebunk Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I received a call, from Mona, concerning a property marker/pin. She and her husband John had seen the marker/pin, years ago, when they had bought the property, in the Town of Kennebunk, Maine and only a mile or so from Kennebunkport Maine . Now however, they were unable to find the property pin, but had found the other 3 corner pins. The only missing pin was the southeast pin, that was in the front of the property, along the area of the road. Mona and John also had the distances, between the pins. I told Mona that with that much information, the property pin should be found, if it was still there. Mona had told me that the area that the pin should be in had recently had some fill brought in, to make a few parking spots, on the neighbors property. Mona was concerned the her property pin had been buried by the excess fill. We made plans to search for the pin, today, Wednesday November 12th.
I arrived a few minutes early and was getting all my equipment out of my vehicle, that included metal detectors, pinpointer, shovel, spade and a 300’ measuring tape. While getting my equipment organized, Mona came out and introduced herself. She then showed me the area of the missing pin and pointed out a stick that she and John had stuck in the ground, where they thought the pin should be, within a few feet. I started up my metal detector and immediately started searching. I received a signal within a few seconds. It was a ferrous target, which is what I was looking for. As I dug the hole, no pin was found, only an old square nail. Scanning the area provided more nails and even a 1955 Dog Tax pendant, but no property pin was found . I told Mona we should measure from the Southwest pin, that was also along the road, to the area of the missing pin, in the Southeast area , of the property. The measurement was 180.37’. Once we measured it out, the mark was about 4-5 feet short of where Mona and John thought it would be. Searching the new spot produced nothing but more nails. We then decided to measure from the northeast corner, in the back of the property, to the southeast corner. This measurement is 223.’. This measurement was 7’ short of where the pin was thought to be. How is this possible? Unfortunately, property lines, for the most part, don’t run in straight lines. There are usually angles and degrees involved. Even a measurement of 223’ at a 5 degree angle could alter the measurement by several feet, from where you think the pin should be. I started searching the new area and within a couple of minutes, I received a nice loud ferrous target and my VDI was telling me the target was 0-2 inches, under the surface of the ground. The ground was absolutely covered with leaves and I started removing the leaves and wiping the topsoil away when I saw the yellow cap, of the property pin. I then said “There it is” and Mona said something to the effect of “Wow, my friend didn’t think we would find it”. Mona was just so happy the property pin hadn’t be buried, by the work done on the parking spaces and told me that I had saved her from a lot of anxiety, for finding the pin. Mona then went up to the house and got some orange tape and tied it around the now found pin, so they will be able to see the pin much more easily. So now Mona and John can relax, knowing where all the corner pins are located. There is no better feeling than to be able to find the item that my clients are looking for. Smiles all around and I have the best job, in the world. 😀❤️🙏
As a side note, I am not a licensed surveyor. I am just a metal detectorist trying to help others out. I informed Mona and John that I may find their property pin but I cannot guarantee that the pin is in the correct location. I have no way of knowing if the pin has actually been moved, in the past, or not. Only a licensed surveyor can guarantee the pins are correct.
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Sentimental Gold Cross Pendant, With Diamonds, Lost In The Saco Maine Grass and Leaves, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I received a call from Lori, on Monday, November 3rd, concerning a lost Gold Cross Pendant , with Diamonds. Lori’s son, Anakin, and his friend, Caleb, had been playing football, in the backyard, after school. Once they were inside Lori’s home, Caleb noticed his Gold Cross Pendant was missing but the necklace was still around his neck. Everyone searched the backyard but they were unable to find the Gold Cross. They even went back out and searched, in the dark, with flashlights, to no avail. We made plans for me to search, first thing the next morning ,Tuesday. Caleb didn’t have school, at Thornton Academy, because it would be Election Day and all of the City of Saco Government wards, vote at Thornton Academy. Caleb would be able to show me exactly where he had been in the backyard, which would be a big help.

Tuesday morning, I arrived promptly at 8:00am and was shown the area to be searched by Caleb, Lori and Anakin. The backyard isn’t very big and I was confident I would find it, if it was there. Caleb wasn’t even sure, if the Gold Cross had been lost in the yard. He was concerned that he had lost it at school, as he was removing his backpack and then putting it back on, throughout the day. Caleb was also concerned that he had lost it, while walking to Anakin’s and Lori’s home, almost a mile, from Thornton Academy. The school and the walk presented problems because anyone could have seen the Gold Cross, in those public areas and kept it. Our best chance at a recovery is for the Gold Cross, to be in the yard. I was told the Gold Cross with Diamonds was a very special gift, to Caleb, from his mother. I could see the hurt in Caleb’s eyes and want to so much, find this special gift, for him.

Now the home is located at the Cote Funeral Home, in Saco. Cote Funeral Home is a very well known and respected local business, that is family owned and on their 5th generation, of Funeral Directors. WOW!!!

As I started grid searching the area, I couldn’t believe how much metal was not only in the area, but also in the ground. Fencing, generator, underground wiring, sprinkler heads are tough but then Lori told me that a home had been torn down, when the expansion of the Cote Funeral Home happened, many years earlier. Could this have been why there was so much metal, in the ground? A demolition would certainly explain a lot of metal, in the ground. After grid searching the backyard, the flower garden and a small area, on the other side of the fence, I was not able to locate Caleb’s Gold Cross Pendant. I suggested to Lori, to notify the Saco Police Department, in the event someone found it on the side walk. I also suggested that they contact Thornton Academy, in the event it had been found at the school. Lori was already ahead of me and told me that they had already contacted TA and the Saco Police. I wished them well and told them to don’t give up searching because these items sometimes are found days, months and yes, even years later.

When I am not able to find someone’s lost item, it bothers me and it bothers Gary Hill , as well. We just don’t enjoy disappointing our clients. It feels like we’ve let our clients down, when we are unable to locate their lost items. I go over the unsuccessful search, in my mind and think if there is anything else I could have done. I just had a bad taste in my mouth, about all the metal, in the search area. That much metal can absolutely cause us to miss such a small thing like the Gold Cross Pendant. Metal in and above the ground can interfere with a metal detector’s ability to find a small gold cross by creating false signals, masking the small target, and reducing the detector’s accuracy. As I thought about it, I decided to go back to Cote’s Funeral Home and search the area, for a second time. Since I had searched the area, with my 11’ coil, I decided to search the area with my 8” elliptical coil. This is my most sensitive coil, to small gold and because it is much smaller than my 11” coil, I would be able to try and isolate a smaller area, under my coil, resulting in less metal being detected, at the same time. If I could isolate the gold cross pendant, under the coil, I would have a much better chance of finding Caleb’s pendant. I immediately called Lori and asked if I could come over, sometime in the next few days and search the area, again. Lori was 100% behind this idea.

So today, Monday November 10th, I went back over to Cote’s Funeral Home, with my 8””sniper” coil. I live less than a quarter mile, around the corner, from Cote’s Funeral Home so I decided that if I wasn’t successful today , I would try again tomorrow. Once I arrived I decided to perform an East – West grid search pattern, as I had already done a North – South pattern, in my earlier search. I started in the corner, next to the generator and once again, couldn’t get close to it, because of all the metal, above and below the ground. Once I was searching, in the open yard, I was still getting lots of metal, but nowhere near what I was getting, with the 11” coil. I was able to isolate the targets much better, with the smaller coil. I was also using a different metal detecting program. I was using the most sensitive program, on my Minelab Manticore, the Goldfield Program. This program along with my most sensitive coil was hopefully the winning combination. I was now feeling very confident ,that if the cross was here, I would find it, with this setup. As I plodded along, I was getting many non ferrous, low conductive targets, which is what I was looking for. Unfortunately all those targets were in the ground and the Gold Cross would still be above the ground. I was now about an hour into the search and about 1/2 to 3/4 of the area had been searched. As I was about to finish up another section of yard, I received another great gold signal. I looked down and couldn’t see anything but grass and leaves. I took my pinpointer out and as I was running it through the grass, I heard the target and caught a very small glimpse of something gold. I looked again and there was a very small gold cross. I couldn’t believe it. Caleb’s gold cross has been found. I called Lori and said, “Guess what I just found?” Lori literally screamed, in delight. She told me she would be right home, in 5 minutes. I left the gold cross, in the grass as I found it and showed Lori just how well it was hiding. Lori then told me that Caleb just had surgery, for a torn ACL, just a few days ago and after I had met him, almost a week earlier. Caleb was in pain still, from the surgery and hasn’t been sleeping well. He is at home recuperating and Lori was going to drive right over to Caleb’s house and surprise him and hopefully cheer him up a bit. I was so happy that Caleb will soon have his Gold Cross back. This should definitely be a mood booster.

Later that afternoon, Lori texted me and said , “Thank you again, so much. He was so thrilled and so was his mom. See the attached photo.” Lori sent me a photo of Caleb, recuperating , with a big smile on his face. Even though I haven’t seen Caleb, since he received his very special Gold Cross back, I got the biggest smile on my face, seeing him holding his cross, and the big smile on his face. Another smile and another piece of jewelry back with the rightful owner. There in no better feeling, in the world, than to help people, like Caleb. I have the best job, in the world. Here’s wishing Caleb a speedy and healthy recovery 😀❤️🙏

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Very Sentimental Gold and Diamond Ring Lost In Ogunquit Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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As I was driving home, from Standish, Maine, I received a text, from Liz.  Liz had lost a very sentimental ring, in Ogunquit, Maine, earlier that morning. Unfortunately, she had to leave Ogunquit , to return home. Liz lives in Brooklyn, NY and had been visiting her mother, for a birthday weekend, in Ogunquit.  She had found my name, after the Ogunquit Town Manager had referred her to The Ring Finders website. It was now late morning, October 5th, when I pulled over and immediately called Liz. Liz told me that earlier in the morning, as she was walking to the beach, for her daily swim, she was taking her ring off, when she suddenly dropped it. Now, when Liz told me that I thought it should be a fairly easy recovery, as long as she wasn’t in the water and the tide was coming in. Liz then told me that she dropped the ring, while walking across a footbridge. The ring had hit the footbridge and the fell through the gaps, between the boards, of the footbridge. Liz then told me that as soon as the ring disappeared , under the bridge, she and her brother, made their way, over some treacherous rocks and searched for the ring. Neither Liz or her brother were able to find the ring, on the rocks, below the bridge. Liz then sent me a photo of the footbridge and circleld the area, where she was at, when the ring was lost. She also texted the following 

“I’m so sorry you have to climb down there — my brother and I did this morning and it wasn’t too bad but if it looks, too treacherous, we’ll call off the search! 

It definitely fell through the cracks closer to the ocean side

It was at least 10 feet into the bridge and definitely before the bridge makes that slight turn”

I told Liz that I would be in Ogunquit, in an hour or so, as I had to go home and get my metal detecting equipment, prior to driving to Ogunquit. So, I retrieved my equipment and headed to Ogunquit, but not before checking the tide chart. I didn’t want to get there and see that the tide had come up under the bridge or even come up later, and strand me under the bridge. Thankfully, the tide was working in our favor. I would have plenty of time, to search for Liz’s ring, without having to worry about the tide, coming in. Once I arrived in Ogunquit, I couldn’t believe all the people in town. It was October but the temperature was already 79 degrees and heading to the mid 80”s. A beautiful day. Parking was at a premium and I saw that right next to Wharf Lane, where the footbridge was located, was a motel. I noticed that Sea Chambers Motel, had quite a few parking spaces available and I went in to ask if I could park there, while searching for a lost ring. One of the employees, behind the desk, knew of The Ring Finders of Maine and was happy to let me park, while I searched, under the bridge. She told me that it was offseason but in the summer, when they are booked full, they wouldn’t have any spaces for me. No problem, I was very grateful for their kindness. 

After parking, I arrived at the footbridge a few minutes later. I took some photos from atop and below the footbridge. I sent a photo from above and below, to Liz and asked her if I was in the correct location. She drew a circle, on  the top of the footbridge and stated, “Like fell down right around there” The second photo, from below, she also circled and said, “I pray I’m right but I’d say right in and around there”.

 I made my way to the drawn circle, under the bridge. Once I arrived at that location, I was surprised at how much vegetation was under the bridge. I immediately started a metal detecting search but wasn’t able to locate Liz’s ring. I was trying to be careful, on the rocks but lost my footing, a few times, so I decided to just slow down and perform a search, north to south, horizontal with the footbridge. If I wasn’t able to find the ring this way, I would then swing the coil from east to west. This way, I would be able to watch my footing better. As I finished my north to south search, I still had not found the ring. I decided to go one more section, to the north, on the chance the ring had hit a rock and bounced further up the footbridge. There was also the chance that Liz was a little off, on where she had lost the ring. That’s why I always expand the search, when it isn’t found, where it is thought to be. The results of the next section were no different, from the first two sections, I had searched. I then thought that the ring could have possibly hit a rock and ended up out in the wet seaweed. I decided to search the seaweed and grass, away from the bridge and work my way to the south. Again, the ring wasn’t found in the seaweed and grass. I would now do an east to west search of the area, under the footbridge. As I finished the second section, still no ring. I started the third section and about half way through the section, I heard a very faint sound but it wasn’t repeating and was most likely not the ring. I took a step up under the bridge, so I could see better. When I looked behind the rock, I couldn’t believe it. It was Liz’s ring, just sitting there. But, Why didn’t I find it the first time through? My guess is that the rock, that the ring was hiding  behind, didn’t let the coils electromagnetic field to be “seen”. Quite possibly, I just missed it, while trying to maintain my footing. Either way, didn’t matter. I now had the ring and sent Liz a photo of it, saying “Congratulations”. Liz immediately replied

“OH MY GOD

Dennis!!!!

I am so so so happy and relieved!

My mum lives at ** ******* Street and the back porch is open — 

I could also come get it from you next time I’m in Maine (end of October)

Oh man, I am so beyond grateful!!!”

Now I personally don’t like going inside someone’s home, porch, garage, whichever it may be , without someone there. I told Liz we could definitely meet at the end of October and she can get her ring back, at that point. I would put the ring in my safe , until Liz returned in approximately 3-4 weeks. Liz was absolutely fine with that. She then sent me another text

“Amazing amazing amazing 

Thank you”

Now fast forward to today, Halloween. Cheryl and I drove back down to Ogunquit, to meet Liz and return her ring. Liz is in town again, to visit her mother. We met at Mornings in Paris, right there on Main street in Ogunquit. Liz was all smiles as Cheryl and I walked in to the restaurant. Liz said she was very excited to get her ring back and just didn’t feel right, without it. When I asked Liz what the ring meant to her she told us that the ring had actually belonged to her best friend’s grandmother. Her friend’s grandmother had a very big influence on Liz, as she was growing up. Liz would often borrow the ring, from the grandmother and wear it. The ring had a very special connection, a connection that made a bind, between Liz and her friend’s grandmother. When the grandmother passed way, years ago, the family wanted Liz to have this special ring and gifted the ring, to Liz, for her birthday. Liz was overwhelmed with joy, when she received the ring. The ties that bind these two women, were now in Liz’s possession forever, keeping their special memories and relationship going strong. It is such a great feeling to be able to reunite these extremely sentimental, lost rings to the rightful owner. It’s truly the best feeling in the world. 

Another ring back on the owners finger and served with a reciprocal smile. We have the best job, in the world. 

 

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Gold Wedding Ring Lost In The Westbrook, Maine Grass, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I hadn’t been home for 10 minutes, after returning from a successful Heirloom Engagement Rig recovery, in Buckfield, Maine, when I saw a text message come in on my phone. Here is the text

“Good morning. I have lost my ring again. Almost the same situation as last time, only a lot smaller search area. It’s just up by where we found it last time. I lost it yesterday. If you have time to stop by again it would be appreciated. There is no real hurry as it’s not going anywhere. I won’t disturb the area. Thanks.

This is Chuck ********* in Westbrook, Maine”

Now, I remember Chuck very well. Back in early May, 2024, we recovered his wedding ring, on his property, in Westbrook, Maine. Chuck owns 20 acres of old farmland, along the Presumpscott River. It is no longer a working farm but Chuck still plants crops in a few areas, on the 20 acres. The previous year, 2023 Chuck had been working the property, tilling the garden, bush hogging another area and doing something, on his tractor. At the end of the day, he noticed his wedding ring was missing. At the time he lost it, he didn’t know about The Ring Finders of Maine and the wedding ring remained lost on his property, until he heard of our service. After close to 9 or 10 months of the ring being lost, Chuck heard about us and contacted us. Being that the wedding ring could literally be anywhere on approximately 5 or 6 of the 20 acres, I brought a backup metal detector with me, so Chuck could help in the search. Long story short, Chuck ended up finding his own ring, in the area where he had been changing blades, on the Bush Hog.

Fast forward almost 20 months later and Chuck has lost his ring, once again, while working on his property. I called Chuck back immediately and told him I could be at his place within an hour and that I would be bringing in Gary Hill to assist on this search, which may end up being acres of property to search. Gary and I arrived shortly thereafter and Chuck he had lost his ring again but this time, he knew who to call. Felt good to hear that, as always. Chuck then explained his activities, from yesterday. Chuck had picked the remaining gourds, from his garden. He then tilled the garden and removed a bunch of the vines and plants, dumping them down in the woods, driving his side by side, down there to do it. Chuck had also rolled up all his hoses, around the house and put the away, for the winter. He had also moved 4 tires, from the back of his aid by side trailer, to a location, not far away. So there were specific areas to search but it is still a large area. My biggest concern was if the ring was lost on the way to or from where he drove down to the woods, to dump the vines and plants. It was a long trail to search. My thinking however was that people don’t usually lose a ring, while riding a tractor or side by side. Not impossible but most people lose their ring, while doing something, which their hands. Picking gourds, rolling up hoses, removing vines and plants, changing Bush Hog blades, etc.. Once Chuck explained his activities and showed Gary and I the area, we came up with a search plan. We would search all the areas where Chuck had been using his hands, before searching the trail and woods. The garden, hose, tire and a few other areas would be searched first. Chuck made a good point in that if the ring had come off in the garden, the ring could have been moved outside the garden, as he drove the tractor through the garden and up another 10-20 feet outside the garden, to turn around. So Gary and I checked the tire area and the entire garden area. I decided to continue searching outside the garden area, working my way towards the area of the side by side, trailer and tractor equipment, while Gary went with Chuck, to the areas, where Chuck had been working, while rolling up the hoses. We had now been searching for approximately an hour and 20 minutes, with no wedding ring being found. As I approached Chuck and Gary, I told them that it looked like we would need to search the trail to the woods and the brush pile, in the woods. I told them that Chuck could drive Gary down the trail, to the woods and Gary could search the brush pile and then if he didn’t find the ring, he could start searching the trail, coming back towards the house. I would start searching the trail, from where the side by side sat and work my way towards the woods. Just as we were about to implement this plan, Chuck and I heard Gary say something like “Hey, look what I just found”. Chuck and I rushed right over and after moving a little grass, there was Chucks gold wedding ring. Chuck, Gary and myself broke out in big smiles, with chuck just saying “Unbelievable”. Fist bumps and handshakes then ensued with the mood now very jovial. Chuck kept thanking us and told us that after he had lost the ring, the first time, he had taken the ring and had it resized. Over the summer, Chuck has lost some weight and the combination of weight loss and cold wet hands, from rolling hoses, were just enough to let the ring slip off his finger.
As Gary and I were getting in the car to leave, Chuck turned and headed towards his house. As he was walking away from my car, Chuck was shaking his head slightly back and forth and we heard him say, “Just Unbelievable”. The next day, I received another text from Chuck and no, he didn’t lose his ring again. This is his text

“I am happy to report I dropped my ring off at the jewelry store to have it resized. Hopefully you won’t have to look for it again.
A big thanks to both of you yesterday.”

Well thank you Chuck, we love doing this for others. It’s the best feeling in the world. So today, Gary and I were able to put two more smiles on our clients faces, some happy tears, hugs, fist bumps and handshakes. More importantly, two more rings are back on the fingers, of our clients. I will say it again, “We have the best job in the world”😀❤️🙏

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Heirloom Engagement Ring Lost In The Buckfield, Maine Grass Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Monday evening, October 13th, I received the following text, from Tony

“hello there I wanted to reach out my wife lost her wedding ring and band it’s 3 rings in total we were able to find 2 of them but the one that is still missing is very dear to us as it has my moms diamond in it who passed away when i was a child and we just are lost on what to do so we wanted to see what it would take to get your services we live in Buckfield, Maine”

I replied , a short time later

“Hi Tony, So sorry to hear this.

A few questions first, if you don’t mind
1) How long ago was the ring lost?
2) Where was the ring lost?
3) You said you have found two of the three rings. Were they all lost at the same time, same place?
4) Did your wife see or feel the ring coming off?”

Tony replied

“The ring was lost yesterday in our yard. I found two about 15 feet apart. We bought a metal detector that found them, but the most important ring to us we haven’t been able to locate. She didn’t feel them come off, she was playing outside with the kids and doing hard work.”

Wow, His deceased mother’s Diamond Ring is lost. We need to find this extremely sentimental ring and fast. Thankfully, the ring is on their property, so no one will be able to find it, before we arrive.

Tony and I agreed that I would  travel to Buckfield, Maine and search for his mother’s Diamond Engagement Ring, now worn by his wife, Ashley. I told Tony that I would give Gary Hill a call and see if he could help me search, the area on Tony and Ashley’s property. Gary was available to help me search and I told Tony, the next day, that Gary and I would be at his property, on Thursday morning, between 7:00am and 7:30am. That was agreeable to Tony and the search was scheduled. Tony told me he wouldn’t be home but that Ashley would be and she would show us the area they thought the Engagement Ring would be in.
Gary and I arrived just after 7:00am, this morning and Ashley immediately came to the door. Ashley walked us through the events, of last Sunday, when she had lost all three of her ring. Ashley told Gary and I that she had been outside, playfully running around, trying to catch her children as they played in the yard. She had also been throwing a ball back and forth, with the children. When they finished playing, Ashley realized all three of her rings were missing. A visual search yielded no rings and Tony then went and bought a metal detector. They were able to find two of the rings , but not the Heirloom Engagement Ring, that was his mother’s. Unable to find “the important ring“ and becoming frustrated with the metal detector, constantly making “noises”, Tony gave up and sent me the text.
One of the rings, that had been found, was found close to the middle tree and the second ring Tony had found, was found about 15 feet away, between the middle tree and tree #3. Gary and I decided to start our grid search, at the two far trees, of the three trees, in the area. We would work our way towards each other, as we grid searched from the driveway, to the fence, along the hayfield. As we grid searched the area, we were receiving a few non ferrous targets but they were all deep, in the ground. There was also a lot of ferrous items, in the area, but we just ignored them. These ferrous targets are what was driving Tony crazy. If you don’t have any metal detecting experience, these constant noises will drive you crazy and you end up checking every little ferrous noise out, where Gary and I can skip over these ferrous noises and focus on the non ferrous targets, that would include all the precious metals, that rings are made of. To complicate the matter, the fence, at the edge of the hayfield, was barbwire and there was another wire, laying on the ground that was constantly making our detectors off and was registering as a low conductor, non ferrous target, just like gold. Gary and I really needed to slow down and listen intently, when we were up near the fence and wire.
As Gary and I were getting closer, to each other, Gary told me he would stop at the fence, to the hayfield. He would start searching, at tree #3 and work his way towards the road, and I could finish the small area left to search. This was because if Gary and I get to close to each other, our metal detectors will interfere with each other. It’s better to keep a distance. As Gary was grid searching towards the road, I arrived at the open gate. I was receiving many non ferrous low conductor signals. The signals being detected, were mostly coming from a thin wire, heading towards the road. I slowed down my swing speed, so I could hear and differentiate different tones. While doing this, I did get a repeating target about a foot or two, just off of the wire. I just knew this was a great target and a good chance it was the ring, we were looking for. I took my pinpointer out and searched the tall grass, until I found the target. As I pushed the grass around, I saw the ring, all the way down, on the ground. It was completely hidden, by the tall grass and it would never been found visually. Gary then went and got Ashley and when she arrived, we had her watch, as Gary relocated the ring, with his pinpointer. As she looked on, anxiously, she suddenly saw the ring appear and said, “It’s right here. Thank you guys so much. Oh my goodness, thank you guys so much. I really appreciate it, thank you so much. We looked everywhere and it was right there.” I told Ashley that “You never would have seen it. It was under the grass.” As Ashley now wiping away a tear, from the corner of her eye, she replied, “No, That means a lot, thank you guys.” It feels so great to see smiles, happy tears and happiness , when we are blessed to find these very precious and sentimental pieces of jewelry. As we left, I wished that Tony had been there to see the recovery of his mother’s Diamond Ring. Unfortunately, He had to work, so I sent him the video of Ashley see the ring, for the first time, since it had been lost. Tony replied
“Thank you Dennis so much!! It is a blessing we couldn’t be more thankful you guys are awesome again thank you for your time.”

You know you’ve had a great day, when you can put a smile on their face, a happy tear, in their eyes and a ring, back on their finger. We love doing this for others and I will say it again, “We have the best job in the world”😀❤️🙏

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Gold Wedding Ring With Diamond Lost In Portland Maine Backyard, Found Without A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Thursday September 25th, I had an appointment in Portland,Maine. Just as I was approaching Portland, I received a Phone call from Deborah, about a lost ring. We made plans for Cheryl and I to meet her, as soon as my appointment was over.

Once Cheryl and I arrived at Deborah’s home, Deborah told us that approximately a week earlier she had been sitting on her deck, in the backyard. Deborah had been gardening and her fingers were very sweaty, so she had taken her three rings off and placed them on the table.While sitting at the table, someone bumped into the table and her three rings went spilling, onto the deck. Everyone immediately started looking for the rings and two of Deborah’s rings were found immediately, including her engagement ring. One ring was on the deck and the other ring was found down on the bricks, that surrounded the deck. The missing third ring is Deborah’s wedding ring and she desperately wanted to find it. After searching for a while, the ring was not found. The consensus was that the ring must have somehow slipped through the very narrow boards, of the deck and ended up under the deck. The other theory, as to where the wedding ring had ended up was that it rolled into the leaves and or plants, around the deck and garden. Unfortunately, a visual search did not find the ring. Deborah also had someone come over and remove two of the boards, on the deck, hoping the ring would be found or seen. Once again, no ring was in sight.
Since Cheryl and I we were already on our way to my appointment, in Portland, I didn’t have any of my metal detecting equipment or flashlights. We decided to perform a visual search in the leaves and as best we could, under the deck. We also were not able to visually see the ring. I told Deborah that I could certainly come back with all my equipment and search for her wedding ring. Deborah told us that she and her husband were leaving for Boston, the next day and would be gone, until early the following week. We made plans to communicate on Monday and set up a time for Cheryl and I to come back and search, once again. On Monday, we decided to meet today, Thursday, October 2nd, to search for her wedding ring.
Cheryl and I arrived this morning and were promptly met by Deborah and her husband, Bill. This time however, Cheryl and I had brought my metal detector, pinpointer, flashlights, a small rake and a borescope (very similar to an endoscope, but not for medical use). Our plan was to first search the area under the deck, where the boards were taken off. I would use the small rake and reach underneath the deck and rake everything towards the opening of the removed boards. I would then search search the raked up debris with my metal detector. As I was doing this, Cheryl would check the other area of the deck, by using a flashlight to look between the gaps, of the boards, with a flashlight. If nothing was seen, we would use the Borescope, up and down the deck , between all gaps, in the boards. If we still hadn’t found the ring, we would then start searching, away from the deck, in the leaves and plants.
After raking the debris forward, I was searching under the deck, with my metal detector. Cheryl had the flashlight and was searching the gaps. I found a piece of metal and gave it to Deborah and that’s all I found, under the first removed board. Cheryl was working her way towards the other end of the deck and had moved the table, so she could get a better look, in between the gaps. All of a sudden, Cheryl blurts out, “ I SEE THE RING”. Deborah and I both went over to Cheryl and Cheryl showed us the ring, between the gap, of the boards. The ring had actually gone in a slightly opposite direction, as the other two rings. It was not near either removed board and was on the other side of a supporting beam, for the deck. Deborah said she had something that may work, in getting the ring. It was a wire hook and Cheryl was able to hook the ring but the ring would not straighten out and wouldn’t fit through the gap. As Cheryl lifted the hooked ring up to the gap, I slid my arm under the support beam, as far as I could and I was able to get a hold on the ring. Once I was able to remove the ring, from the hook, I pulled the ring, out from under the deck and handed the wedding ring to Deborah. Deborah immediately stated “You have no idea how happy I am to have my wedding ring back.” By the smile on Deborah’s and Bill’s faces, we had a pretty good idea. Cheryl asked the couple how long they have been married and their reply was “Forever”. Bill and Deborah told Cheryl and I the story of their wedding rings. The wedding rings were custom made by Portland Old Port Jeweler, Designs by CC and Bill’s ring is the same ring, minus the diamond. A his and hers set, so to speak. Now the missing ring is back with its mate and everyone is all smiles. We love being able to help others out in their time of need, like Deborah. Cheryl and I love our jobs 😀❤️🙏

 

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