Richard Browne, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 17 of 25

Lost / Found / Returned Wedding Band Turns Bad Vacation GREAT! in Dennisport, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
Contact:

July 22, 2019

Not knowing how a splendid Nantucket Island vacation was to come to a memorable end Dave and his wife boarded the Hi-speed ferry headed to Hyannis. It seems the weather was bad and many of the passengers were not sea worthy or had not taken their Dramamine to combat motion sickness, heck it is only a short hour ride how bad could it be? It turned out to be one of the longest hours of the vacation. More long hours were still ahead of them that they had not imagined.

Check-in and the accommodations at one of the Cape’s renowned B&Bs promised better times were on the horizon. But that is where they stayed, on the horizon for the next 20 hours, beyond the murky water in the seaweed filled swimming area. Trying their darnedest to make the best of the rough waters and accompanying seaweed, into the high surf they went. Unfortunately that is where Dave’s wedding band decided to spend the night under the watchful eyes of King Neptune and Davey Jones.

A late night E-mail was answered at 2am with a promises I would be ready to search the area at 10:30am or before. Time flies fast when you are having fun and I showed up two hours early. I knew I was in trouble when I saw the dark expanse of seaweed. It looked like it was covering the area that Dave’s wife had marked on a map for the area to search. The best I could do was search the edges of the mass as it was moved by the tide, it was just too thick to swing my detector through. What to do…search outside of the seaweed – for three hours while the tide moved the seaweed away is just what I did.

It was time for Dave and his wife to head home trying to beat the mass exodus from the Cape that happens during the summer months. Three times I was told they were leaving. But, so I was told later, my searching was just too mesmerizing for them to leave. On the third notification I told Dave, not to worry, I would mail the ring to him. However, should I find it within another 15-30 minutes I would call him so he could turn around, come back and pick the ring up before leaving the Cape. He left and in five minutes the ring was in my scoop. I ran to get my cell phone while sunbathers cheered me on. Well, to cut this short, Dave and his wife were still watching from inside the breakfast room. Pictures, hugs and thanks took some time, hopefully not so much as to slow the return trip home caused by heavy vacation traffic. I am sure they would not mind a travel delay after what they had been through and the outcome of my search and the return of Dave’s ring.

Tags:
Category:

Chair, shark and sand could not keep a ring hidden from The Ring Finder of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
Contact:

July 22, 2019

The second day of a heat wave drove Karen and her family to the edge of cool waters and onshore breeze coming off the bay. There was no interest reading or heeding the posted sign about wearing shinny jewelry into the waters. On the beach, a protective layer of sunscreen was in order, but had no place in Karen’s shinny jewelry setting. Rings off, suntan lotion on and the day’s enjoyment began. The incoming tide necessitated moving the chairs to dryer ground. However the arms of the beach chair were not strong enough to hold onto Karen’s ring. The folding arms let the ring slip into the sharks realm.

An evening of searching by lanterns and hands could not coach the ring form its sandy resting place. A voice mail on my Ring Finder’s phone was answered and a 7am meeting to use a metal detector to locate the ring was set. As usual everyone had their idea of were the ring was. Here; No over there; Look for the stone! OK now we were narrowing in on “the” location. Wouldn’t you know, but four visitors looking to secure a prime piece of beach for the day had already claimed the area where the search should progress to. With out our asking, the four picked up and mover well beyond our area of search – Thank you guys. Well as things were going you have probably guessed it, no ring was to be found in that search area.

Moving outside the original box by only two feet up popped the shinny jewel encrusted awesome ring. The engagement and wedding band still bonded together. One that had no place in with the sand with its glittering jewels calling the sharks.

NOTE: Only unconfirmed shark sightings have been recorded in the area searched. But it sure made the blog a bit more than just: Ring Lost, Ring Found, Ring Returned posting.

Tags:
Category:

Nantucket’s sand could not hide a ring for long before it was Found and Returned.

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
Contact:

Rain, thunder, lightening and other commitments started Friday off as a non-detecting day. But for an out of state phone call … A request for help in finding a very sentimental engagement ring which belonged to the caller’s mother had been lost in the ocean. The loss occurred at the base of the Steps Beach, an hour ferry ride away. Having a day to make reservations, pack a detecting bag, complete what I had to do, get a good nights rest, and to think about how the ring I was going to search for was lost. Every ring has a story and this one was no exception.

Jeff had worn his mother’s rings since her passing, I could not let Jeff down. It was Jeff’s youngest son who had unintentionally pulled on the necklace holding the two precious rings which came apart and sent the rings flying. The wedding band was found in seconds, before the moving sand covered it unlike the engagement ring that had disappeared out of sight. Something more than hands sifting the sand was needed. A pool skimmer net was tried next without success in snagging the ring from its sandy resting place be for I arrived.

Jeff’s 9 year old son had a detector but had no luck in using it on the wet sand. With this information I knew I would be able to show and tell about some of my finds and pass some detecting techniques onto a young, budding detectorist.

In just under an hour of searching starting at Google Maps pinned point which was not as accurate as we would have liked. GPS satellite co-ordinates are only good to about a 15 foot radius and the pin showed the ring should be in the water. I started in the water working parallel to the shore, up the face of the beach revealed only a few targets of melted aluminum and pull tabs. Not a single coin or the ring. I then started searching 90 degrees to my previous paths.

While digging a promising target I overheard Jeff talking with another beach goer about how he had lost his wedding band several years ago, rented a detector and found his own ring. “There was hope, the guy detecting (me) has a good chance of finding the lost ring.” He was trying to keep Jeff’s spirits up.

Little did they know the promising target was THE RING and it was in my scoop! Without any fanfare I walked over to the two men, joined in the conversation. Jeff thought I was giving up and it was time to call it a day. I said “almost, not just yet until you look in my scoop” … I’ll let you imagine the emotions from all members of Jeff, his wife and three children.

Time was left to snap a few photos, clean up, grab a wonderful island lunch. I did a bit of show and tell and left a few “treasures” with the young detectorist which he was sharing with his sister. It was then time for the walk to the ferry boarding area and board the ferry that would take me back to the main land. During the hour ride I was sure I would be pondering over the wonderful feeling of how a terrible happening was turn into a great day on one beautiful island with one terrific family. I am pretty sure I will hear of a young detectorist doing fabulous things in the near future.

I do love this hobby.

Tags:
Category:

Permission a must on private beach. Ready, Set, Find, & Return Ring in Falmouth, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
Contact:

June 2019

Ah, but don’t you just love all of our electronic gadgets? Cell phones, computers, e-mail, texting, the information available on the internet, yes these sure can help when help is needed. Communications for help in finding a lost wedding band started via e-mail through TheRingFinders website and was followed by phone conversations. Phone call area coverage was not as perfect as we expect it to be which cause a bit of delay. Well, when it all came together, I was heading out for a search.

Only one problem stood in my way…permission to detect the private resort property. Having been to the resort before I know I did not want to search the area without permission. New personnel this year were not quite sure about granting me access. After getting in contact with the “office”, I was in. Let the search begin.

The wind was very brisk and as such the waves were about 3 feet high and the blowing sand felt like I was in a sand blaster. I had dressed accordingly and with a marked up Google picture from Scott of the area where the ring had been lost I headed to the smaller “High Probability” area. Oh, no…all the beach lounge chairs had been pulled up and stacked close to the dunes covering the majority of the marked area. Anyway I had to get to searching. First I detected as close to the chairs as I could while watching the waves inching their way up the slope of the beach. No targets there so it was now that I had to venture as far into the water I dare go or wait until the next day and calmer water. It was not long, about 10 minutes, and there it was the shining wedding band in my scoop. It did not take long to get back to the comfort of the car. On the way out I stopped at the reception desk and thanked the “team” for granting me access and ensured them I was successful in finding the ring and would be returning it to Scott.

Tags:
Category:

South Yarmouth, MA Crab Walk and a Lost Wedding Band – Found and Returned.

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
Contact:

July 2019

Between 4th of July’s burgers the telephone rang and I was IT for a game of telephone tag. Yes, I was not IT…the one to find Scott’s lost wedding band. Calm, cool and in a great sense of mind for letting his wedding band slip off his finger at the water’s edge while enjoying the Fourths celebration and doing the Crab Walk. I was told his wife was even in great spirits despite the loss. It could not have been the loss, but the party going on.

It only took 25 minutes to get ready and show up at the town beach. But it took an hour to find the correct target. Scott thought I had given up as I left the water. I had told him not to worry about my digging and putting objects into my pouch. What he was to look for was me leaving the water carrying my scoop level with my waist. Well I left the water and he followed from about 30 feet away. His comment was “Is it time to give up?” My answer “Not until you look in my scoop!” It was hard for him to initially believe I had found the ring, but there it was. Another successful search, find and return. Number 216, but who’s counting. Happy 4th of July!

Hi Rick! Thanks again for your help finding my ring, we’re still in amazement that you were able to locate it. Brief write up and photo for your website below. Again, thanks so much!

My wedding ring slipped off my finger while swimming in South Yarmouth on the afternoon of July 3rd. I found Rick via TheRingFinders.com and sent him an email the morning of July 4th. I figured as a long shot maybe Rick could come out over the next couple of days before we left the Cape. Well not only did Rick reply to my email but he immediately jumped into action and said he could help me right away, and on a holiday no less! Within hours he was in the water searching for it and in no time was able to locate my ring! My wife Kristine and I are so grateful for your help Rick! You’re a life saver!

Tags:
Category:

Stand-in Wedding Ring(s) – what a story! Sandwich, MA Lost / Found Ring

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
Contact:

July 2019

Well, it was a typical 4th of July weekend. The first call for help came with a story about the ring tagging along. The easiest way to tell this is to copy the Thank You note for finding and returning James’ claddagh ring.

Rick,

My father bought me this ring 10 years ago. My grandfather had just passed away and had given his ring to my brother, the oldest boy in the family. So, my father took me when getting that one sized to get one of my own.
A few weeks ago, at my brother’s wedding, nobody remembered the wedding bands, not me, my brother, sister-in-law, planner, nobody. So when the priest asked for the rings, I turned my back to the crowd and slipped off my ring and my brother did the same. They used these to bless their marriage. I was devastated to lose mine. I cannot thank you enough.

James

Tags:
Category:

Help Needed to Locate Lost Wedding Band in Marstons Mills, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
Contact:

December 7. 2018

Having lost his ring while leaf blowing Jim and his wife visually searched on hands and knees turning over every leaf in hopes of finding Jim’s ring. Having failed at with a visual search they came to the correct idea for finding the one of a kind wedding band, the use of a metal detector. They rented a metal detector and searched with it for many tiring hour of swinging without finding the ring. They resigned to the fact that it was gone forever. After returning the rental, Jim and his wife made plans to locates a similar ring before Christmas. It would not be the same as the one that had adorned Jim’s finger for over forty years but it would have to do.

I stopped at J&E Enterprise, the local metal detector dealer, and was told of the still lost ring. I placed a call to Thelma, Jim’s wife and left a message. Minutes later I had a return call. Thelma was almost convinced that I might help, but wanted to talk to Jim before committing to having me detect their property for the lost ring. Two hours later I was starting a search of their yard. Knowing the loss was recent and therefore there would be no need to dig to retrieve it. After recovering three surface targets; a small piece of copper, a nail with a piece of aluminum attached and a pull tab from a soda can, I heard the perfect sound, that of a round object close to the surface. I looked at the point where my detector showed the object should be and there it was three-quarters of it’s edge shining in the sunlight. It was hard to stop Jim from picking it up, but I asked him to wait until I took a picture and have Thelma come and see just were the ring had been for the past few weeks. A happy ending of a few stressful weeks.

Why did I find the ring in a area that had already been searched with a metal detector. It really boiled down to the facts; I had 36 years of detecting experience, knew which of my 14 detectors had the best chance isolating the one target in an area that had a potential of several trash targets in a short amount of time and understanding the nuances of each sound the detectors was giving off from each detected object, in this case Jim’s ring.

Category:

Words I never thought I would hear “It’s Not My Ring”. Centerville, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
Contact:

November 12, 2018 Chris on left, Eric on right in the picture

While I was helping a neighbor with a computer problem, Chris called asking about help in finding his lost wedding band. He thought it might have been lost while burying his deceased cat. The answer to his question on how deep the detector could “see” a ring was not what he wanted to hear. The cat’s grave was some two and a half feet deep and my detectors typically can “see” a ring at about 12 inches. With this information, Chris new he would have to remove some of the dirt before I would be able to scan the full depth of the grave. He said he would call me back.

About an hour before sunset I received the call asking if I could come and search the area. I left home with the anticipation of finding the wedding band. When I arrived at Chris’s home, he had already sieved the dirt removed from the grave and no ring was found. I scanned the grave site with no indication of anything metal. I then began a search of the areas where Chris had also been doing yard work. As the sun set I brought out my flashlight is hopes of spotting a flash of gold in the darkness. Another half hour passed and I found “the” ring right on top of the ground. I returned to the house, put the ring in my hand and my card over it. Inside Chris’s house I let Chris take the card from my hand as I said “please take “your” ring also”. The joy of getting his ring back turned to sorrow as Chris said “this is not my ring”. How could that be? Neither he nor Leah, his wife, knew of anyone that might have lost a wedding band in their yard. The closest known loss of a ring was that of Leah’s father, Eric, had lost his ring at the beach this summer, not in the yard. As it turned out that Eric indeed did loose his band while cutting down a tree in Chris’s yard and not at the beach. I am glad I had not been asked to look for it at the beach. However a call to Vermont confirmed it was more than likely to be Eric’s ring. Now it was to dark to continue searching so I left for the night with a promise to return the next day.

The next day’s search of two hours turned up nothing except a long lost mail box key and a few coins. Not having any luck with my detector of choice I exchanged it for my second choice detector. Just to have a different “set of eye” and I continued to search the area again. Another hour and I was ready to call it quits for the day. I walked back to the car, I was just dragging the detector across the ground and next to the rear wood porch I heard one signal and it sounded good. The coil of my detector was unable to give me a pin-point location so I put my hand held pin-pointer to work getting closer to the wood riser. There it was. The ring I had been looking for some 5 hours. This “one” was verified as “the one” by Leah. Chris was at work, so I could not give the ring to him at that time. I left the ring with Leah who promised to sent me pictures of the return. Not bad, in two days time, two wedding bands found in one yard and returned to two members of the same family. Needless to say there were big smiles all around including the biggest one the one on my face.

Please read the posting: Lost Wedding Band at Beach, Found in Son-in-Law’s Back Yard. It is about an unexpected find – a missing wedding band of Eric.

And you ask “Why do I enjoy my hobby so much?” This story tells the story very well.

Tags:
Category:

Lost Wedding Band at Beach, Found in Son-in-Law’s Back Yard. Centerville, MA.

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
Contact:

Eric’s ring was not lost at a beach as he originally thought, but rather it was lost in his son-in-law’s back yard while cutting down a tree.

Yes it happens, the initial belief of having lost a ring or other object in one area is not always the actual area in which the item was actually lost. This is proof of one such lost wedding band.

I had receive a call from Chris about his lost wedding band in his yard. While searching I found a ring. When I gave the ring to Chris, to my surprise, he said “This is not my ring. It is too big”. There was no immediate connection to a ring lost by Eric’s ring as it was believed his ring had been lost at a beach some five miles away. Several minutes later and after a call to Vermont, a probable connection was made but not verified until a Thanksgiving Day visit. What a day it was to rejoice for Thanksgiving and having a lost item returned.

Please read the posting: Words I never thought I would hear “It’s Not My Ring”. It is about my search for a missing wedding band for Chris.

Chris on left, Eric on right in the picture

Category:

What’s a Vacation Without Your MasterCard? Lost, Found, Returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
Contact:

October 15th Carlos was rushing to avoid the pending thunderstorm and lost his MasterCard in the Jamaican waters. I was also heading in, away from the afternoon’s lightening strikes. I was approached by Carlos with a request to help him find the missing credit card. I could not refuse, so back into the water. First I saw an electronic room key, that there had been no mention of. Just after picking the card up I saw the dark blue patch of the MasterCard. Item retrieved, I headed for Carlos. The sky had darkened and the rain began pelting us as we ran to my room for my camera. I took a few pictures, and gave Carlos three cards, room key, MasterCard and one of my TheRingFinders cards. Now with three cards in hand Carlos ran off to tell his wife the vacation could continue but with a tighter grip on the precious cards.

Tags:
Category: