Dennis Boothby, Author at The Ring Finders

Gold Wedding Ring Lost In Sanford, Maine Garden Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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Saturday afternoon, May 23rd, I received the following text

“Hi Dennis, I found your ring finder service on Facebook. This afternoon I was doing some gardening,in my yard, in Sanford, Maine and lost my ring in the brush next to my house and am unable to find it. I was wondering if you have any availability to come help locate it for me?
My name is Andrew by the way“

I called Andrew back, once I saw the text. Andrew told me that earlier that afternoon he had been pulling dead vegetation from two different above ground “box gardens.” He was then taking the pulled vegetation and throwing it into an overgrown area of thorn bushes, leaves, branches and other dead vegetation, just 20-30 feet from the gardens. At one point, while pulling the vegetation up, Andrew felt his gold wedding ring coming off his finger. Andrew slid the ring back onto his finger and got back to work. Not five minutes later, Andrew noticed his wedding ring was now missing from his finger. Since he had only been between the garden and pile of dead vegetation, just a few feet away, Andrew thought the ring would be in the pile of vegetation he had been throwing. After a visual search of that area, he couldn’t find his ring. Andrew the visually searched the path across his lawn, he had been walking, to and from the gardens and vegetation pile. Still no ring. He then looked around the box gardens but still couldn’t find his wedding ring. This is when he texted me and he also decided not to search any longer, in the fear he may actually move the ring, further into the vegetation or move it out of the area all together. Andrew then asked me if I could search the area, the next morning, Sunday. I agreed to meet him at his home in Sanford, Maine at 7:00am.

I arrived prompty at 7:00am and Andrew shoed me the very small area that the ring could be in. Andrew really thought his wedding ring would be up in the vegetation, leaves and thorn bushes. Since we were ext to the box gardens I ran my coils over them first. I received some targets but nothing in the gold range. Lots of beeps and chirps turned out to be mostly ferrous items and one non ferrour target, a modern penny. We then walked towards the vegetation pile and I searched the grass path along the way, but still no ring. I then started searching the leaves, vegetation, thorn bushes and still no ring. Andrew put on a parof heavy duty glove and started pulling the thorny vines out and I was moving dead vegetation and branches, out of the way. We did this for 15-20 minutes and still no success. I then expanded the search to his lawn, searching a much larger area than he had been in. The wedding ring was still missing. I knew it had to be here, but where? Andrew had only been in a 20-30 foot area. I went back to the box gardens and started searching them again but just some small chirping and no non ferrous targets at all. We then researched the leaves and expanded the area up towards the road. Could his ring have flown off his finger, that far? Andrew didn’t thing so bue we searched anyways, just to be safe. Again, no success. Where could that ring be. Even though I had searched the box gardens twice, my mind kept telling me that was the only logical place it could be. The garden box was maybe 12-14 inches deep and the ring gould be missed if it was that deep. Andrew said he wasn’t digging in the garden, just pulling the vegetation and then filling in the holes. So, I took my men’s gold test ring, dug a hole to the bottom of the box and placed the ring on the bottom. Once I covered the hole in I swung my coil over the area. The ring was not being found, by my detector. At a depth of up to 14 inches, it wasn’t being picked up but it was picking up other items, all ferrous.. I told Andrew we would need to remove the soil and scan it. Andrew retreived a large garbage bag and ripped it, so he could put the soil on it, Box Garden #1 was the one he was working on when he noticed his ring missing and he had been working on one specific corner. So, That is where he started shoveling. His first shovel full of soil, produced no targets, as did the second and third shovel full of soil. The forth shovel full was now at the bottom of the box and I received a very loud, repeatable low tone, reading 26-27, on my TID (Target ID). I couldn’t see the target but told Andrew that this just had to be his wedding ring, it just sounded so good. As I started brushing the soil away, I saw a very small color of silver, white gold? Yes, it was Andrews wedding ring. WOW!!! Andrew yelled out in excitment and I will admit, so did I. Over an hour and fifteen minutes in a very small area. The box garden was the only place that made sense to me, when I couldn’t find it in the brush or lawn. As I saw where the ring came from, I realized that the ring was not only in the box garden but it was up against the side wall. When I was swinging the coil, the coil would be stopped by the side wall and with the depth the ring was at, my coil couldn’t get completely over the ring. Possibly it was one of the chirps I had heard but I will never know. I don’t like giving up and removing the soil was the only way to be certain the ring was or was’t in the box garden.
Andrew couldn’t believe his ring was that deep. I suspect that when he pulled some of the vegetation, his ring fell down into the hole and he just filled the hole in, along the wall. Andrew immediately put his wedding ring back on and shook my hand, thanking me for finding his ring, where he didn’t think it would be. Andrew also told me that he would not be taking anymore chances and would be getting his wedding ring re-sized. A great idea. Another ring back on the finger and another smile on their face. We have the best job in the world and I love my job. Remember, “If it matters to you, it matters to us.”😀❤️🙏

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Engagement Ring Lost In Scarborough, Maine Backyard Grass, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Saturday evening, May 23rd, I received the following text message.

“Hi Dennis! I was directed to you on facebook as I had posted about losing my engagement ring in my backyard today. I tried a metal detector to see if I could find it but no luck! I was wondering if you might be able to help. I’m in the Town of Scarborough, Maine.”

I replied by calling the number back, rather than keep texting. It moves things along much faster and it now being after 6:00pm, I would like to search while there was still some light. Isabelle told me that eariler in the afternoon,she had some family and friends over and were enjoying the day, out in the ”small” backyard. Isabelle has a young daughter and the daughter was having a blast, running all over the place. Isabelle would chase her down and bring her back where everyone else was. The 2-3 year old also played on the swing set ans was having the time of her life. As the afternoon passed Isabelle noticed her engagement ring was missing. She knew she had it on earlier because she had showed it to some of the family and friends. Isabelle figured the engagement ring came off, while rounding up her daughter. Isabelle posted a Facebook story and someoe let her borrow their metal detector. Isabelle and her father searched for the engagement ring, without any success. They had never used a metal detector before and all the beeps and chirps were overwhelming for them. That’s when some people on Facebook had told her to contact me. Isabelle asked if I could come over in the morning, Sunday, but I was already booked in Sanford, for 7:00am. It was scheduled to rain later Sunday and I was also leaving at 4:00pm, to attend a concert, in Boston. When Isabelle had given me her address, I knew it was only 7-8 miles from my house. I told her I would be right there and search tonight, as I had maybe an hour and a half hours of daylight left. So I packed up my equiptment and headed to Scarborough.

Once I arrived, Isabelle and her father showed me the backyard. It was small and I was estimating I could cover the entire area, in approximately 30 minutes. There was quite a bit of metal, in the yard, that had to be moved but not to bad. I am a creature of habit and I always like to pefor a grid search and this search would start at the house and I would work my way down towards the swing set, moving metal items as I went along. The search was procedeing nicely but the engagement ring remained elusive as I approached the halfway point, in the yard. Still plenty of real estate to check. As I was approaching the swing set, at the end of the yard, before a slight drop off in the yard, I still hadn’t found the ring. Before I went down the slope, Isabelle’s father asked her if she had gone down there. She replied she had, on multiple occasions, while trying to corral her young daughter. Ok, I started behing the swing set and started searching the dropoff. As I approached the garage I realized I was running out of room to search. Maybe another 5 minutes and I would have covered the entire yard. Then what? As I ws thinking about my next move and what questions, I could ask Isabelle, I received the signal I had been hoping for. A loud, repeatable low tone, coming from the grass. As I was pulling my pinpointer out, I saw the ring, in the grass. I bent down picked it up, I heard her father say, “No Way.” I then looked at Isabelle, showed her the ring, saying “Is that it?” A very happy smiling Isabelle replied, ”Yeah, That’s it, Thank you.”. Always, always a fantastic feeling to show the owner their ring, that had been lost. Isaabelle immediately put the engagement ring on her finger, admiring the ring, once again.

Another ring back on the finger and I’ll say it again, “We have the best job in the world. I love my job. If it matters to you, it matters to us💍😀❤️🙏

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Four Long Lost Property Markers Found In South Portland, Maine, With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I received a call from Robert, concerning finding 3 of his property markers, on his South Portland, Maine property. Robert knew where one of his property markers were, in the back Northeast corner of his property. That marker was just 7-8 years old and was put in when a new road and development had been put in, on the backside of his property. That marker would be a great starting point, to measure off of. Robert is looking to put a fence up along the backside of his property, where the newer road and development had been put in. He also wants to put a fence from the Northeast corner, to the Southeast corner. Ok, simple enough, especially since Robert had the dimensions of the lot and a newer known marker. We made an appointment to search on Saturday May 23rd, for 8:00am.

I told Robert that I would need him to sign a waiver, acknowledging that I am not a Licensed Surveyor. I can certainly find metal in the ground but I can not “verify” that the markers I find are in the correct location. The property markers could have been removed or moved all together, at some point and then put back in the ground. And they may not have been put back, in the correct location. Robert understood that I am not a Licensed Surveyor and agreed to sign the waiver. People have been sued because property markers were not in the correct location and I am not going to be sued, for trying to help others. FULL DISCLOSURE: I AM NOT A LICENSED SURVEYOR. I am just metal detectorist that can help you find metal, in the ground. What you decide to do with the found markers is up to you. I cannot tell you what you may or may not be able to do, with the property markers. Putting a fence up, cutting down trees, etc.. Only a Licensed Surveyor can do that. Procede at your own risk.

I was promptly met Saturday morning, by Robert. He showed me the know marker and we decided that the best way to procede would be to measure 63’ to the missing marker, in the Northwest corner. I grabbed my 300’ tape measure and started measuring towards the missing marker. Once 63’ was attained, I looked down and couldn’t see anything. I didn’t have my metal detector, since it was down near the known marker. I grabbed my pinpointer, searched the area and received a target. I took my trowel out of my pouch, dug a hole and there was a broken property marker, just a half ince under the saoil, right at 63’. PERFECT, and easy enough. We then decided to search for the Southwest corner’s marker. This would be a little more challenging because there was a row trees running most of the distance between the two markers. We couldn’t measure through the trees. Robert thought the marker would be very close and in line with the trees, in an area right next to or under a bush, near his driveway. As I started searching around the bush, I wasn’t getting the signal I was looking for. We dug a few ferrous items but no property marker. As we were searching the area Robert’s neighbor came out to see what we were up to. Robert explained we were looking for the markers and his neighbor told me that it would be nice to know where they were but had never seen his markers at all and he has lived in his house since 1995. His neighbor did tell us the he was told the markeron the other side of his driveway lined up with the telephone, supposedly. Since the distance from that marker to the marker we were looking for was 80’ apart, we could locate Roberts neighbors marker an then just measure the 80”. Lets go. Once we arrived down across from the telephone, I started searching and almost immediately received a nice ferrous target. I was given permission to dig, by the neighbor and what do you know, another property marker had been found. Sweet!!! Now we could measure 80’ down to the property marker , near the bush and hopefully locate it. Once we measured the 80’ it was another success. The marker was found fairly quickly. We now measured 81’, down towards the Southeast corner of the property and hopefully find the marker. The area we came upon was once again across from a telephone pole and a broken telephone pole. The area also had a large steel cable and anchor, holding the poles, in place. As I searched the area, my detector kept going off because of all the metal, of the cable and anchor. Only one thing to do. I would grab my Root Slayer and just start digging around all the metal. After 5 minutes or so, SUCCESS!!! The final property marker had been found. Robert was very pleased, as was his neighbor, who now knows where two of his markers are. Robert had bought some heavy duty metal rods and pounded them in so the marker locations could be easily seen. This was a fairly easy search, compared to others I have done where the markers in in thick, thorny vegetation and others where the markers are not found. Robert now plans to put his fence up and I wish him well. I arrived looking for 3 property markers and left after finding four markers. I have the best job in the world, I love my job ❤️🙏

PSA: Many people will remove the markers, in their front yards because they find them unsightly and a pain to mow around. You really shouldn’t do that. When I purchased my home in 1993, I was told by my neighbor that one of the previous owners had pulled the two front markers out, just for those reasons. I have never been able to locate those markers. Don’t forget, your property marker is also your neighbors property marker and shows the boundary, of BOTH properties. DO NOT MOVE THESE MARKERS. In the State of Maine, it is against the law to do so. You are not legally allowed to drive or push a property pin further into the ground yourself, even if your only intention is to make your lawn look more aesthetic.
Under Maine law, altering a property marker carries strict legal consequences. ONLY A LICENSED SURVEYOR ARE ALLOWED TO ALTER PROPERTY MARKERS. You should always contact a Licensed Surveyor, should you need to do anything, with a property marker. Again, I am not a Licensed Surveyor and don’t pretend to be. I’m just a guy with a metal detector. So, if you would like your property markers found, I’m your guy, once the waiver is signed.

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Sterling Silver Pendant With Brother’s Ashes Lost In A Bridgton Maine Pond, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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The Ring Finders of Maine, With Recovery and Return #213

At 9:45am Thursday, May 21st, I received a call from AJ. His wife, Michelle, had taken their young children to to Woods Pond Beach, in Bridgton, Maine, the previous day, as it was a very hot day. The water was very cold but Michelle waded into the pond with one of her young children, to a depth of waist deep. While wading in the waist deep water, her young child accidently grabbed ahold of her necklace. The necklace broke and the pendant that had been on the necklace was gone, into the pond. The necklace itself was grabbed before it hit the water but the pendant was nowhere to be found. Michelle visually searched, looking for the shiny sterling silver pendant, but couldn’t find it. AJ explained that this wasn’t just any pendant because the pendant contained some of her late brothers ashes and Michelle was very upset that the pendant urn, in the shape of a 4 leaf clover, was now missing. WOW!!! I knew right then that I needed to help and told AJ, I could probably be there, in the early afternoon and I would call him when I was on my way and he could meet me there, to pinpoint the location that Michelle had been in. AJ had a fairly precise location, as to where Michelle had been, when the pendant disappered into the cold water.

Once off the phone with AJ, I called Gary Hill to see if he was avaible to assist me. I knew the pond water would be very cold (50-55 degrees) and the air temperture was only in the high 50’s. This would be a cold search but we couldn’t wait for warmer weather, with her brothers ashes missing. Gary was available and I told him to bring a change of warm clothes, beach towel and his Excalibur diving metal detector,as we were about to get wet. I told Gary I would pick him up, on the way to Bridgton, at approximately 11:30am. It would take us an hour and 15 minutes to get there so I called AJ and let him know Gary and I would there just before 1:00pm. As Gary and I were driving, we thought that Gary would go in and search the specific area that Michelle had been in. This would give Gary his first water recovery and had nothing to do with me not wanting to go into the cold, cold water. I told Gary that if the pendant wasn’t found in 10 minutes or so, I would jump in and start expanding the search area, so he wouldn’t freeze to death. Experience has shown us that lost jewelry is usually never exactly where people think it is and I did want Gary to have all the fun. The pendant could have launched itself once the necklace had been grabbed. The location could be off by 10 feet or so.

Once we arrived, we were promptly met by AJ. He pointed out the area Michelle had been in. She had been in an area maybe 20-30 feet , east from a dock. The dock has metal pipes and some stairs. Michelle had been just the stairs and was between the next two pipes, but not out as far as the third pipe, near the end of the dock. Gary bravely entered the very cold water, as I shivered on shore with AJ. Gary was performing a North – South grid search from about 30 feet from the dock and making his way, towards the dock. It really wasn’t a large area but it was a very clean area. Gary wasn’t getting any targets and this allowed him to quickly cover the area. After 10 minutes, as Gary was approaching the dock, I told AJ, I would go in and eapand the search. I would start about 20 feet to the east, from where Gary started and would work my way towards the dock. Once this area was covered, we would continue the same grid pattern but would stark working our way towards the shore. As I was walking out to where I would start searching, I also was receiving no targets, at all. Once I arrived to where I wanted to be, I started my search and again, no targets on my first pass. Gary still had no targets either. Another pass and still the same. I started my third pass and finally received my first target. After sizing up and pinpointing the location, Pressed the long handled sand scoop into the sand, with my foot. I pulled the scoop out of the water and shook it, to get the sand out, leaving only rocks and hopefully a nice shiny pendant. As I looked into the scoop, I did see the rocks and a shiny 4 leaf clover pendant, containing the ashes of Michelle’s brother. I yelled over to Gary and told him that I had it then yelled to AJ, further away, on the shore. AJ replied to me but I couldn’t hear him. Gary’s chattering teeth were to loud. We quickly made our way to shore where a very happy AJ awaited us. He was so thankful and told us that Michelle would be very relieved her brother would be back with her.
Gary and I dried ourselves with our towels, got into some dry clothes and put the heat up high, on the ride home. We were both so happy to have been able to help Michelle and AJ.. Jewely may be replaced but you cannot replace a loved ones ashes. It is recoveries like this that keeps Gary and I going. There is no better feeling than to know you helped someone with such a sentimental item. Once home I received the following message from AJ..

“Thank you again my wife and I truly appreciate you guys coming out and finding it for us” She cried when I told her thats how happy she was. Thank you for finding it for us! It truly meant alot to my wife and im glad you guys where able to help us out truly as she was devastated when she lost it…”

A beautiful conclusion to a troubling and devistating time for Michelle. I later received a photo of Michelle, reunited with her pendant. Her smile says it all. So, NOT just another pendant back around the neck but an irreplacable pendant back around the neck. I would loved to have been able to hand the pendant to Michelle but things wcould have ended any better. We love our jobs. We have the best jobs in the world. Remember, “If It Matters To You, It Matters To Us”❤️🙏

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Gold and Diamond Wedding Ring Lost In The Grass For Two Years, Found With A Metal Detector, In Wells Maine

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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Cheryl and I had only been home 20 minutes, from a trip to Davenport, Iowa and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, when I received the following text message.

“ Hello Dennis, I’m in need of a Ring Finder—my wife lost her gold wedding ring in the grass in our front yard, hoping you can help us locate it. I live in Wells. Thanks, Mark D*****”.

I immediately called Mark. Mark explained that 2 years earlier his wife lost her gold wedding ring, while mowing a small section of their front lawn, in the Town of Wells, Maine. His wife, Tracy, had mowed the small section of lawn and went into the house, where she noticed her wedding ring was missing. Tracy immediately went back outside and searched for the ring but cound not find it. Subsequent searches, with Mark, also proved futile. Like most people, they thought the ring was gone forever.
Fast forward to 2 years later and Mark is online, researching metal detectors to rent, when he sees information about The Ring Finders of Maine. Knowing absolutely nothing about metl detectors, Mark decided that we would be a better option, than renting a metal detector. I have to say, I agree 100%. I can’t tell you how often I get called to find a ring, after the client has already rented a metal detector but can’t find the ring. My clients tell me that the detector keeps beeping and making all kinds of noise but there is nothing there and they just don’t understand why. Frustration sets in and they end up calling us.
I tell Mark that I can certainly drive down to Wells and search but had a few concerns I wanted to convey to him. First, twos years is a long time but thankfully the ring was on private property. Secondly, I told Mark that because of two years of yardwork, the ring could have been moved, a great distance. Two years of mowing the lawn could have thrown the ring, after the blades had hit it. Raking or mulching the leaves for two years could have moved the ring. Mark understood and told me that the leaves only get blown, not raked or mulched. The leaves were blown into the same area. Ok, thats a positive because I can certainly search the pile of leaves. Mark and I agreed that I would arrive at 8:00am, the next morning and begin the search.
Once I arrived at Mark’s home. I saw Mark mowing the lawn. I would normally cringe when I see someone mowing the lawn, after losing a ring but after 2 years, the ring was already moved or slightly in the ground or thached grass. Mark came over to me and showd me the area he had just mowed and told me that was the same section where his wife had mowed and they were hoping the ring was still there. I then threw a gold test ring onto the lawn and it disappeard into the grass. I then showed Mark how the metal detector would sound when I ran the coil over the ring. I like showing the client how this works and they appreciate the demonstration. While doing the demonstration, I also get to setup the metal detector and calibrate it, to my liking, for the search. Everyone now knows the detector is working. I told Mark I would do a grid search, going East to West and if I wasn’t able to find the ring, I would then search the piles of leaves, from the last few years. If the ring wasn’t found there I would then search the lawn once again, this time North to South. I Started along the driveway, near the street and almost immediately, I received a loud, strong target, reading 26-27 on my Minelab Manticore. Definitly a target in the gold range but also the classic nickle TID (Target ID). My detector was also showing a depth of 0-2 inches. Another good sign. My pinpointer was picking up the target but we couldnt see anything, on top of the grass and soild. I then dug the target and it was a nickle, about 1 ince in the ground. Resuming the search I was hearing a few targets but some were ferrous and some were 5-7 inches deep and absolutely not in the gold range. My next diggable target had a TID of 22 and was a low tone, both great signs. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a shot .22 bullet. I have now been grid searching for 15-20 minutes and had half of the lawn coverd, when I received another TID of 26-27 ans a low tone, exactly like the nickle, just 15 minutes or so earlier. This one however, just sounded better than a nickle. A slightly lower tone and the tone repeatibility got me excited. I told Mark that I really liked this target, but couldn’t guarntee it was the ring but I really liked it. Once again, the pinpointer picked up the target but I colddn’t see anything. I dug a small plug, carefully, so as not to damage the target. As I pulled the plug back, I saw a very small piece a a shiny gold ring. I could believe it but I couldn’t believe it. It never gets old seeing gold come out of the ground, especially when the owner is right there to witness it. I yelled over to Mark that I had found the ring and he rushed right over, dropping to his knees to see the ring. Mark was looking in the hole and could’t see the ring. Once he realized it was in the plug , I told him he could have the honor of removing the ring from the soil and thatched grass. As he removed the ring and was cleaning it, still on his kness,, I asked “Is that it?”. Mark very excitedly says “Thats it, HOLY COW.”. What a great moment to see. Mark thanked me over and over and was smiling ear to ear. Unforunately, his wife, Tracy, wasn’t home as she had already left for work. It would have been great to meet her and see her, I’m sure, very happy emotions. I then shook Mark’s hand as I was getting ready to leave. Mark was headed into his home to put the ring, in a safe place and to call Tracy.

Another ring back on the finger, after two years of being lost. We have the best job in the world and I love my job. Remember, “If it matters to you, it matters to us.”

A few recommendations! Not all rings survive being lost while mowing. As soon as you notice your ring missing, stop mowing and call us, to search the yard. If you continue to mow, rake, mulch, blow leaves, bag up leaves, etc., you could potentially throw the ring out of the area, damage the ring beyond repair or throw the ring away, in the grass clippings or leaves. Do not do anything to the lawn, until we can search it.
This is also a lesson on never giving up on locating a ost ring. Two years lost is a long time but in the past few years we have recovered rings that had been lost in 1982 and 1997. Thats right, lost in the ground for 27 and 42 years respectivly. If you have lost a ring, years ago, on your property, give us a clall. We can’t find your ring, if we aren’t searching for it. If your ring is there, it is possible it could still be recoverable, as long as it hasn’t been moved, out of the area.

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Engagement Ring Thrown, Lost And Damaged In Windham, Maine, Found While Searching With A Metal Deto

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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The Ring Finders of Maine, With Recovery and Return #211

I received a phone call from Madison, on Sunday May 10th. Madison explaind that she had gotten into a heated “discussion” with her husband Jake, two days earlier, on Friday. As they were standing near the end of their driveway, in the Town of Windham, Maine, Madison took her engagement ring off and threw it across the very busy road, they live on. She immediately regretted that decision and told me it was not like her to do that. Madison and Jake then went acoss the road, to where they thought the ring had landed, in the leaves, grass and lots of roadside trash. Like any situation with witnesses they each saw something different. Madison thought the ring went to the left of her and further back in the leaves, near a rock wall and the woods. Jake thought the ring went to the right and would be closer to the road, in the leaves. After a long search, without success, the couple knew they needed help. Madison called her father for advice and he recommended his friend, who had a metal detector. Her fathers friend arrived, Friday evening and it was now dark outside. He was shown the area and after a search of the area, he could not find the ring. Now what? Keep searching is what they did. The next day, Saturday, both Madison and Jake spent hours searching for the ring in the leaves, grass and trash. The couple told me it was an was an exhaustive search and they had given up hope of finding the ring visually and would no longer keep searching that way. Madison told me that she couldn’t give up hope and gave it one last shot of searching visually, on Sunday morning. The result was the same and even though the area had already been searched with a metal detector, they personally did not know him or if he had any experience finding rings. That is when they decided to call The Ring Finders of Maine. It was now approximately 1:30pm and I told Madison that I would be there by 3:00pm. I just needed to get my gear together and drive the 45+ minutes to Windham.

I arrived at their property at 2:45pm and was promptly met by Madision and Jake. Madison told me she was standing next to the driveway parking spot, that I had just pulled into and threw the ring “as hard and far as I could”, across the two lane road. I looked at the distance to the other side and my first thought was, “could she have thrown the ring that far?” Madison had been standing 15-20 feet back from the breakdown lane, then there were the two lanes, another breakdown lane before the leaves and grass, where they thought the ring was. I then said “Are you sure you threw it that far? I don’t think I could throw it that far. Did you check the road on Friday, after you threw it?” Madison and Jake told me that they indeed checked the road, two days prior and had not found the engagement ring. They both believed the ring made it into the leaves but couldn’t agree if it went to the left or to the right. Ok then, lets start searching. I would estimate a 100 foot long stretch of the road to approximately 25 foot depth to the rock wall needed to be searched. I brought my 9” coil for this roadside search because I know that roadside searches with have decades and decades of metal trash , foil, pull tabs, etc. , above and below the surface. I needed the small coil so I wouldn’t get overloaded with lots metal trash targets, all at the same time. This could cause me to miss the very low tone of a gold engagement ring, if all I am hearing is 30 year old beer and soda cans, under the surface. The road runs Northeast – Southwest and I started by heading southwest, right on the edge of the roads curbing, checking the leaves and the gravel, on the road. I still wasn’t convinced the ring made it to the leaves. As I finished my first grid pass, along the road, nothing but cans and foil were found. Heading Southeast now and it started to rain lightly but still no ring. The rain really started coming down now and then we heard the rumble of thunder and a flash of lightening. Because of the circumstances, I called the search off and told them I would be back very early, in the morning, to finish the search.

When I arrived home, I called Gary Hill to see if he was interested in joining me. He agreed to come and help and I told him the situation. We arrived back at Madison and Jake’s home, at 6:30am. I showed Gary the search area and told him that I really had my doubts that the ring made it that far across the road. Gary was also skeptical and he searched the grassy area, just in front of where she had been standing, before the greakdown lane. No ring. We both agreed that if the ring had been in the road that it most likely had been hit and could be anywhere up or down the road. Anyways, Gary and I started searching the area between the breakdown lane and rock wall. After a half hour or so, still no ring. Madison then came out and started searching with us. I then asked Madison to do a test for us. I didn’t have a test ring with me but I did have a penny. I asked her to go to where she had been standing , when she threw the ring. I asked her to throw the penny as hard and as far as she could. I was more interested in the direction the penny went in than the distance. The penny and ring are completely differtent in size and shape so the distance could be different but the throwing motion would give me the direction. After throwing 3-4 pennies, we knew that the direction was the ring went to the northeast BUT not surprisingly every single penny hit the road and dd not make it to the leaves, in the air. A few pennies did roll into the leaves but a ring would not roll, like a coin. At this point Madison needed to get her children ready for the school bus and went back across the street. Gary and I continued to search but this time Gary would walk further down the road, in the northeast direction, scanning the road as he searched, for the ring. If the ring had landed in the northeast lane, there was a good chance the ring was hit and moved further down the road. I continued searching the leaves, going as far back as the rock wall. I kept thinking that the ring may also have landed in the Southwest lane, meaning the ring could be down the road, in that direction. This is why when a ring isn’t found, we have to expand our search area. Gary and I still had not found the ring when Madison came back to the search. She started walking the road on the Southwest lane. After a few minutes, Gary and I heard Madison yell out something about not believing she found it and as we looked down the road she was smiling ear to ear, having found the ring in the complete oppisite direction of where she had thrown it and on the oppisite side of the road we had been searching. As Gary and I rushed over, we could see the ring was damaged, from being hit by a passing vehicle or two or three. Thankfully all the diamonds were still intact and the band itself could be repaired. Madison thanked us and told us that if we hadn’t come back to search and listen to us on the different scenarios of the ring being hit, she never, ever would have found it down the road. She told us that she was done searching until we had come back. Hey, I always say, once we are on scene, it is all hands on deck. “Teamwork is Dreamwork.” Madison was very appreciative of our efforts, in the rain and then returning, to help her. We received smiles and hugs and all will be good, once the ring is repaired.
We will never know exactly where the ring landed but I feel that it was probably near the yellow center lines and was hit multiple times. With the ring 40-50 feet down the road, to her right and the southwest direction, I have a hard time believing the ring moved that far after being hit, just once.

Madison asked that I not use their real names or photos and I agreed. We all make mistakes and I don’t judge people for what they have done in a momentary lapse of judgement. As you all know, from reading my stories, people throwing rings is not an isolated incident. Over the last three years, we have now recovered, I believe 6-7 rings that have been thrown by both men and women. So, please don’t judge and just be happy that Madison has her engagement ring back.
So quite a search to say the least but another ring is back on the finger (as soon as it’s repaired). We love our job. We have the best job in the world and remember, “If it matters to you, it matters to us”💍🙏

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Key Fob Lost In Saco, Maine Found Without A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
Contact:

On Saturday May 9th, I received the following text message

“Hey Dennis my name is Brad D********, I’ve misplaced my car key fob, and I believe It fell out of my pocket while working at my house outside. Wasn’t sure if this was possible a job for you”

I replied, “Hi Brad, So sorry to hear this. I am able to find key fobs.
1) how long ago did you lose them? I’m sure you have checked the house? I only ask because we have many clients that find them later, in a different coat or somewhere in the house.
2)Where are you located?
Also, could you call me. Much easier to communicate
207-423-3027”

A few minutes later, Brad did call me. Brad told me that the previous day, Friday, he had gotten out of work and then performed some yard work including in the flower garden, in Saco, Maine. While working in the backyard his phone fell out of his pocke but realized it and picked it right up. The key fob was in the same pocket, as the phone. After a long day at work and then yardwork, in both the front and backyard, Brad relaxed in the hammock, that is in the backyard. Brad then tells me that this morning, when he was getting ready for work, he couldn’t find his Subaru Key Fob. A quick check of the house came up empty. He then rememberd dropping his phone and ran outback to the location but the key fob wasn’t there either. Running late for work, Brad left for work, which is about a 40-45 minute drive to Windham, Maine. Once at work, Brad realized it was going to rain and he thoutht the key fob would be ruined, if it got wet. He then called the local Subaru dealership to see how much it would cost to replace his key fob with an authentic Subaru key fob, he was flabergasted whe he was told it could run somewhere between $500.00 and $1,000.00. WHAT? Are you serious. When Brad heard how expensive it could be, thats when he called me. He was hoping I could find the fob and find it before the rain got it. It was now about noon time and the rain was just starting, lightly. Brad lived only two miles from me and as I got my gear loaded up and during the drive over, I was running the different scenarios, through my mind. I thought that the most logical place to start searching was the backyard. That is where the phone fell out of his pocket and both the flower garden and hammock were also in the backyard. My mind kept telling me to check the grass under the hammock first. he he was laying down, there was a good chance the key fob fell out there.

Once I arrived, at Brad’s home, I opened the gate to the backyard and was taken aback because there was very litte grass in the backyard, including none, under the hammock. The flower garden was a large raised flower box. No way the key fob would get into the flower box that was up that high. At least in my mind it wouldn’t be in there. I could see from the gate that the fob was also not under the hammock. I did notice the hammock wasn’t open but was closed or folded over. I thought I would just open the hammock and check inside. As I started opening the hammock up, I saw the key fob, resting comfortably, in the hammock. Thankfully the fob was found quickly as it was now starting to rain slightly harder. I took a few photos and sent one of them to Brad, with the message, “In the hammock”. Brad then called and thanked me. He told me that the back sliding glass door wasn’t locked and I could put the fob, just inside the house. I then put the fob on the counter, just inside the door and left. This was a very different experience for me. From leaving my house, finding the fob, without a metal detector, to returning home, in just 20 minutes was unbelievable to me. I could have just left my metal detector at home because my Twin Optical Scanners 👀 were all I needed today.
Although I never met Brad, I’m sure he was smiling, knowing he just saved himself hundreds of dollars, literally. So, another Key Fob back in the pocket and a smile on my face for sure. I love my job. It’s the best job in the world 👀🗝️❤️🙏

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Gold Wedding Ring With Diamonds Lost In Cape Elizabeth, Maine Grass, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
Contact:

I received a call on Wednesday May 6th, at 5:30pm, from Amy. Amy told me that two days earlier, on Monday she had lost her White Gold Wedding Ring, while at work. Amy is a teacher and the Assistant Director, at The Appletree School, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The Appletree school is a preschool for children ages 3-6 and is a unique preschool experience, embracing the outdoor classroom for the children. Being in a “nature-based atmosphere”, Amy is outdoors for most of her day. Amy had her Engagement and Wedding Rings in the pocket of her vest, so as not to damage them, while working with some tools. After finishing the project, involving tools, Amy attempted to put her Engagement and Diamond Wedding Rings on her finger. Unfortunately, Amy’s knuckles were swollen and she couldn’t get the rings on. Amy then put her rings back in her vest pocket and would put them on in a few hours, when the swelling on her finger subsided. Approximately 2-3 hours later, Amy went to put her rings on but only the Engagement Ring was in her vest pocket. The Wedding Ring had gone missing. For the 2-3 hour time frame that the rings had been in her vest pocket, Amy had literally traveled all over the schools property, even indoors. Amy had taken the children down a short nature trail, in the woods. She had also performed yoga, near a large tree, read to the children, near the nature trail, had a sing along time, around a gathering circle and other areas, all over. Amy had the children help her look for her wedding ring. Another teacher had a metal detector and they searched the area, with the metal detector. The ring was not found that first day and the next day, the search continued with the metal detector, children and staff members. Again, no ring was found. On Wednesday, someone told her that they were surprised that Amy hadn’t contacted The Ring Finders of Maine. Amy now had our contact information and she called me, once she got out of work.

We agreed that I would meet her first thing the next morning, at 7:30am. With the entire search covering somewhere between an acre and an acre and a half, I told Amy that I would be bringing Gary Hill with me. A search area that large, could take all day by myself. With Gary’s help , the search of the school’s property would go much faster. Because the search was so large, with lots of open field area, I decided to use my 15” coil and Gary opted for the 11” coil, on our Minelab Manticore metal detectors. These coils would cover the open areas, much quicker and efficiently. The drawback would be that these coils were not as good, when close to metal objects, in the area. The metal could actually mask the gold wedding ring and we wouldn’t be able to hear the ring. There were fences, sand boxes, flower boxes, metal boats, playground , metal toys, etc.. If the ring wasn’t found today with the larger coils, we could always come back the next day, with the much smaller coils and search those areas, much more throughly. The open field areas were probably 80-90% of our search area and the ring had a better chance of being there than in the 10-20% area of the metal objects.

So, Thursday morning, Gary and I were met by Amy and she took us out back where the children spend most of their day and where Amy “thinks” the ring would be. Our concern was that one of the children had already found the ring and put it somewhere, outside the areas, in their pocke, backpack, thrown it into the woods, etc.. This has happened to me twice, in the last three years, where a young child had ahold of a parents ring and placed it where the ring wouldn’t be found for up to a year, on one of the rings. The decision was made to break the search area up into 4 areas and each area would be grid searched , North to South. We would start in zone #1 and finish in zone #4. Gary and immediately knew zone one would be very tough. Very little open area and just loaded with above and below ground metal. Zone #1 turned up nothing but coins, which we didn’t dig and lots of foil, I suspect came from lunches and snacks. The larger metal objects were’t moved at this time. The has a metal row boat that we would only move, if the ring wasn’t found, in one of the other zones.

Zone #2 included much more open areas but still lots of metal, above and below ground. It also included a short hiking trail, for the children, that goes into the woods, for a short distance. There was also a very small brook running along the border, with zone #3. There was a bridge over the brook, along with wood pallets and planking. The brook itself, which I searched had a large piece of metal, that ran along the bottom, possibly a culvert pipe, not sure. I know I couldn’t get any reading in that area of the brook. Zone #2 also included the yoga area and the reading area. along with a fence that borders zone #1. There was also another metal row boat. The searching was much easier and open, than zone #1, but still had difficulty in some of those metal areas. Once Gary andI finished zone #2, we headed over to zone #3.

Zone #3 had lots of challenges also, including multiple fences, including one fence that housed a garden and small building. The fence was also marked with each child’s name, where their backpacks, extra shoes, boots and other personal items were hung and laid on the ground. There was also a wood pile, a third metal row boat and the sing along gathering area, with lots of log stools. We did the search of the area the best were could but didn’t want to touch or move any of the students belongings, to search under them. This was also a very difficult area and still no ring.

Zone #4 was by far the easiest area to search. Although Amy had not gone into zone #4, we had to search it, just on the outside chance one of the children had picked the ring up and dropped in zone #4, while playing. Unfortunately we did not find the ring in zone #4 either. It was now going on 11:00am and Gary and I had been searching for 3+ hours. Where was the ring? We met with Amy and told her the ring was still missing but we would come back, in the morning. I wanted to search, the fence area, where the children’s belongings were, before they arrived for the day, I also wanted to move the boats, benches, picnic tables, toys and anything else that needed to be moved, while the children were not using them. I would also switch mu coil from the 15” to the 9”, in order to get closer to some of the large metal objects. Gary and I would also grid search the area, not North to South but East to West. This would give us a a true gid search.

This morning Gary and I arrived and got right to work. I searched the fence area that I wasn’t able to search yesterday because of the children’s backpacks, et.. The ring was not found in that area. Gary and I were now in zone #1 and we stated emptying the wheelbarrow to move it, emptied the toys, the metal cooking utensils from the toy box. We moved the picknick tables and the metal boat. All for naught as the ring still wasn’t found. Gary said he woulfd go search the wooden pallet sitting area, near the woods and trail, while I finished up zone #1, around the swings and then the flower box. Nothing found in the wood chips, around the playgroung. I searched inside the flower box and still no ring. Gary was finishing up near the reading area and he was also empty handed. I then started down the narrow path between the metal boat and the flower box when all of a sudden, I receiced a loud, repeating, low tone, registering 18-19 on the Target Identification Screen (TID). This was exactly the tone and TID i had been looking for. Definately in the gold range. I looked down but all I could see was pine needles and grass. I used the pinpointer to locate the tatget and as I removed the pine needles, I saw the outline of a ring. Amy’s wedding ring had been found. I motioned to Gary that I had found it and he came over to me. I told him I wanted to surprise Amy with it and to play along. Amy was just 15-20 feet away and I called her over. I told her Gary and I were done in zone #1 and I wanted to know if she had been near the metal boat and bridge in zone #2. on Monday. She said she had and she then turned her head, to look at that area. When she turned back towards me, I was holding the ring up and as Amy saw her wedding ring. I could see her eyes welling up and in a slightly cracking voice, “You found my ring. Where was it”, as I could now see a few happy tears , in her eyes. I showed her exactly where it had hidden, under the pine needles and grass. I also told Amy that “I told you yesterday, we don’t give up.” Amy was just estatic, saying “I need to tell my husband.”, all the while smiling ear to ear and telling all the parents and staff members, in the area that her weding ring had been found. Just a great moment to see.

So, the ring was very close to the flower bed that had metal through out and it and was very close to the metal row boat also. We had just moved the metal boat to check aound it and quite possibly we created enough space that today the ring wasn’t masked by all the metal. I am positive that the choice of using a much smaller coil, around all the metal also played a big role in finding it. Perhaps it was because we searched East to West and not North to South. We will never know for sure. Two days, Two Ring Finders and approximately 4.50 to 5.00 hours of searching had come to a successful ending. We don’t like to give up until we feel comfortable that we did everything, in our power, to find the missing item. Never give up and “If It Matters To You, It Matters To Us.”. Another smile on our clients face, another ring back on the finger and we have the best job, in the world. We love our job💍❤️🙏

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Platinum Wedding Ring Lost In The Sand At Drake’s Island Beach, Well’s, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
Contact:

I received the following voicemail, on Friday evening at 7:15pm.
“Hello, my name is Kaelly ****. I found your page on Facebook. We have a lost wedding ring at Drake’s Island Beach in Wells Maine. So just seeing if you have any availability to come out and help us find it with a metal detector. My phone number is 443-***-****. Thank you.”

I immediately called Kaelly back. She and her husband Mark were still at the beach searching for the ring. Unfortunately, once a ring gets under the sand , they are extremely difficult to find. Kaelly explains that they had a very good idea where the ring was and they had even marked the area. That is exactly the correct move I was so happy to hear this. Keely then passed the phone to Mark and he told me the same thing about the area the ring was lost in. He was very sure of the area because as he, Kaelly and their two young children, walked onto Drakes Island Beach, from the municipal parking lot, they had just exited the blue mat, that is on the access path. As each parent was holding a child, as they walked onto the beach, Mark moved his child from one arm, to the other. When he repositioned his child, he felt his ring snag on something and felt it coming off. He looked at his hand and sure enough, his platinum wedding ring was no longer on his finger. Mark and his family were only 40-50 feet off of the access path and they immediately stopped. Since Mark only felt the ring coming off his finger, he didn’t see where the ring had fallen to. He knew it couldn’t be far but the sand had swallowed it whole and after a family search, Kaelly gave me a call. I told Mark I would leave immediately and it would take me about 40 minutes to arrive. It was now approaching 7:30pm and Mark said he would take Kaelly and the children back to where they were staying, so the children could start getting ready for bed. Mark would then drive back to Drake’s Island , Wells Maine and meet there around 8:00pm. Sounds like a plan.

Once I arrived a Drake’s Island, I called Mark and told him I was only two minutes out. Mark was already back at the lot and would meet me at the access path, with the blue mat. After a few pleasentries, Mark walked me down the path to the area he had marked up. Mark told me it wasn’t a large area and he was certain the platinum wedding ring, would be within the marked area. When we arrived, Mark showed me the approximately 10 foot radial circle he had drawn, in the sand. Inside the circle was a ball of seaweed. Again, great thinking on Mark’s part. I thought to myself that if the platinum wedding ring wasn’t within the circle, I would just grid search, back to the access path. Facing the water, I could see the absolutely beautiful , orange in color, Full Micro Harvest Moon, just starting to show itself, as rose out of the Atlantic Ocean. After admiring the rising moon, for a minute, I decided I would start on the left side of the circle and make my way towards the water. No targets at all on that first pass. I turned and headed back towards the shore and when I arrived at the top of the circle, I heard the unmistakable sound of a low conducting non ferrous metal target. My Target Identification (TID) was a solid 30. Exactly where I thought a men’s platinum wedding ring would ring up as, on the TID screen. I even said “Mark, I think that’s going to be it.” Mark replied “That would be awesome.” I the started searching the sand with my pinpointer and I saw it and said “There’s a ring.” I reached dow and picked the ring up. I passed it to Mark and he verified the ring by looking at the inscription. Mark said “That’s awesome.” with a nice big smile and thanked me for coming out so quickly and helping. Mark told me he is in town, from Western Massachusetts , near Springfield, Massachusetts, to run the Maine Coast Marathon, the next morning. Mark would be running the Half Marathon and I wished him well. My running days are over but I know what this race means to runners, such as Mark. GOOD LUCK MARK🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃

So, a few things helped Mark get his platinum wedding ring back. He didn’t panic, gently searched the area, without digging or moving any sand, out of the area. He also didn’t post it on Social Media, where anyone could have come down looking for it. As Law Enforcement and myself recommend, do not post the location of a lost piece of jewelry, on Social Media. Mark and Kaelly also knew to call someone to help, that they could trust. All great moves by them, made this an easy recovery and another ring back on the finger. Remember, “If It Matters To You, It Matters To Us”. I love my job. It’s the best job in the world.

 

 

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Property Marker Pin Lost In York, Maine, For Over 15 Years Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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This property pin recovery actually started last December. Deanna had contacted me to find three pins, in particular and possibly a fourth, on her York, Maine property. Her neighbors had recently sold their home and Deanna would just like to find the pins, dividing the properties. Deanna has lived at her current home for 15 years and has the most recent survey prints, from just before she bought her home, 15 years earlier. Deanna told me that she herself had pulled one of the pins, out of the ground, on her property because it was in the way of her mowing. Thankfully, that pin is not included in our current search. She now regrets that decision. There were two pins, in particular, Deanna would really like us to find and last December, with snow on the ground, Gary Hill and I did just that. We found the two property pins, without much trouble at all and a third pin, in the front of her house. The fourth pin however was behind her neighbors home in an area that the hay and bamboo was very thick and tall. The area was also very wet and had frozen, unlike the drier soil in the field itself. We had a difficult time swinging our detectors properly and with that area of the property already frozen, we decided to come back in the spring, when the ground would be thawed and the tall hay would be matted down, from the winters snow,

So, When I received a call from Michele to help find her bracelet, in York Harbor, Maine, I decided to give Deanna a call. Deanna was all for me returning and trying to find the fourth property pin, behind her neighbors home. After a successful recovery of Michele’s bracelet, I drove the 4.50 miles to Deanna’s house. The snow was gone, ground thawed and hay had been matted down, to a more manageable height. The property pin I was searching for would be exactly 85’, from property pin #3 Gary and I had found a little over 4 months ago. With my 300’ tape measure, I secured one end to Pin #3 and measured out the 85’. As you all know I am not a licensed surveyor and this pin had a degree of angle from pin #3 and I don’t have the tools to measure that angle exactly. I knew I could get close to it, but not exact. All this would mean is that my angle, over 85’ may put me off 5 or 10 feet from where the actual pin is. No prowl as I would just search the entire 10 feet or so of the area. Once I had the 85 feet measured out, I started to search. I received a strong ferrous target but it ended up being a piece of farm equipment. Another strong ferrous target turned out to be a very old and large square nail. Target #3 was something large. As I dug it up, it turned out to be a large chunk of concrete, WITH A METAL PIPE in it. This had to be the property marker. It was EXACTLY 85’ from pin #3. I also remembered from the property survey, there was at least one other pin that said “CONC. BND”. Concrete boundary? It appeared the pipe, running through the concrete and the concrete itself had broken. Just to be safe, I searched more area around the concrete pipe but nothing els was found. It had to be the pin, at exactly 85’. I took some photos and sent them to Deanna. Her response made perfect sense. She replied, “Likely got hit by the tractor mowing the field at some point. Great to have them all located, thank you!” Great point. The tractors had been cutting the hay in the field, for decades, if not longer. I am only guessing but because the ground is very wet, in that area, the property pin was placed in concrete, to keep it standing upright, until a tractor hit it anyways.

So I had a busy morning, with it starting in York Harbour, finding a Sterling Silver and Gold Bracelet, in a burn pit and ending in York,Maine, just 4-5 miles away with property pin #4, being found. Both Michele and Deanna were happy, as was I. We have the greatest job in the world. I love my job.

As a side note, We can help you locate your property pins BUT I am not a licensed surveyor. I am just a metal detectorist trying to help others out. I informed Deanna and all my clients that I may find their property pins 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 in the correct spot.
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