Wallet Lost On Bryant Pond, Maine, While Skating, Found Years Later, In The Water, With A Metal Detector




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.”😀❤️🙏


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.


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 👀🗝️❤️🙏


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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I received the following text message, on Tuesday April 14th,
“Hi Dennis. My name is Michele and I’ve recently lost a bracelet that I’m 99% certain I lost doing yard work two weeks ago. I lost another one a few years ago which probably is really lost. I live in York Harbor. I was wondering when and if you have any time to help me possibly locate it.
Thank you!”
I replied: “Hi Michele, So sorry to hear this. I should be able to search for it this week. I am actually on the road at the moment. May I call you this afternoon, when I arrive home?”Michele replied: “Absolutely! Call me on this number anytime. I’m gonna be working in the yard again and my reception isn’t very good but if I see you called, I’ll call you back.”
I replied: “Perfect. Whatever you do in the yard, do not dispose of anything.” Michele replied: “Got it!”
I always tell my clients that if they lose something, while doing yard work, they should not mow the lawn, bag up and throw away grass clippings, leaves, etc.. Your item just may be in the bag and it will be gone forever, once it is picked up and taken away. We can always search the grass, leaves, etc., before they end up at the dump.
Once I arrived home, I called Michele. Michele told me that two weeks earlier, she had been cleaning up her property, in York Harbor, Maine. Michele was trimming back some Hydrangea’s that run along multiple stone walls, on her property. She was then burning the clippings, in a burn pit, near their compost. She had also walked the property picking up small branches to burn and feeding the ducks, at her small pond. Later that evening, Michele noticed her Sterling Silver Bracelet, with Gold accent trimming was not on her wrist. The bracelet was a very sentimental bracelet, as she bought the bracelet and another exact bracelet, for her daughter. They always wore them and Michele desperately would like to find it. She has been walking the property for two weeks and had not been able to locate it. When I asked her if she had turned any soil up or put new soil or bark mulch down, she replied that she had not done that but it was possible the bracelet was kicked or stepped on and ended up below the bark mulch, under leaves or in the hydrangea plants. Michele and I agreed to meet at 8:00am, Thursday April 16th to search. Michele then sent me a short video of the areas she thought the bracelet could have been lost. Once I saw the video I knew it wouldn’t be long to search the area. The entire area had short grass and was very well manicured, a very big plus, for searching.
Once I arrived at her York, Maine property, Michele immediately met me and pointed out the areas, that needed to be searched. Michele also showed me a bracelet that was very, very close as the one lost. I put it on the grass and set my detector up with it. The bracelet rang out very loudly, and was definitely Sterling Silver, for the most part. The gold trim was being masked but the much more conductive sterling silver. The grass was even shorter and more well groomed, than the video had shown me. This would not take long to search because I knew a bracelet that size would not be hidden in the grass, just wasn’t tall enough, after all the snow had packed it down, all winter. We started the search of the mulch, along the stone wall that was closest to us. The bark mulch was also matted down from a long hard winter. The hydrangea’s had some leaves at the roots and I searched those with my pinpointer. One rock wall down and no bracelet. We then went to the next closest rock wall. This one ran up to the burn pit and compost area and also mad a few hydrangea’s. Same result along this wall and plants, the bracelet was still missing. I then moved a large wreath so I could search the burn pit, before moving to the compost. Once the wreath was out of the way, I swung the detectors coil over the burn pit and almost immediately I received a very loud target. It was reading 84, on my TDI (Target ID). This is a highly conductive metal and the same reading that Michele’s other bracelet rang up as. I told Michele that this was a very good target but I couldn’t see anything, in the burn pit. Michele then yells out, “THERE IT IS, I SEE IT.” I then stepped up, bent over and I saw the outline of a very dirty, bracelet that had soot all over it. Michele’s bracelet has been found but it had been burnt, while Michele was burning twigs and stuff, two weeks earlier. AMAZING!!! I pick the bracelet up and passed it to a very happy Michele, wiping away happy tears. The bracelet looked sooty and dirty but didn’t look disfigured. Michele and I agreed that a jeweler would be able to clean this up pretty good and repair any damage that we couldn’t see. Extremely fortunate the bracelet wasn’t severely damaged. Michele said she would most likely take it to Springer’s Jewelers , in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and see what they could do, to get the bracelet looking new again. Michele was still wiping away tears and couldn’t wait to tell her daughter that the bracelet had been found.
So, another bracelet, back on the wrist (well, it will be shortly) and more smiles, happy tears and hugs. We have the best job, in the world. I love my job.❤️🙏


Just before 8:00pm, Thursday evening, I received a phone call from Elley. Elley told me that she is a professional dog trainer and that earlier in the day she had taken a “Rescue Dog, from Georiga, to Bunganut Lake , Bunganut Lake Town Park, Lyman, Maine . The dog, Kasper had been taken to the park, for a walk and a little play time. While playing with Kasper, Elley felt Kasper catch her necklace and breaking it. Elley was able to actually catch her “Tiffany & Co.” key pendant but didn’t see her other pendant. Her other pendant wasn’t a “precious metal “, like the Tiffany & Co. Pendant but a pendant, with a copper base metal. However, this pendant held great sentimental value because this pendant has an engraving, of Elley’s beloved dog, Mina. Elley has told me that Mina is her “Soul Dog” and loves her to the moon and back.
So, Elley is a busy woman and had multiple appointments, to train dogs, Friday morning. She thought she could get away at lunch, noontime, on Friday and show me the area, she thought the pendant was lost. I always prefer someone to show me the exact area, when the owner, thinks their item was lost. I can’t tell you how many times, I have searched the wrong area, because trying to describe an area, on the phone or text messages just doesn’t always work. When people look at a map, it isn’t the same as when they are there in person.
So, Friday afternoon, we met at the park and Elley walked me down to the area, that Kasper accidentally broke her necklace. The area wasn’t large, maybe 50’ X 50’. I could search that area, in no time. I would start a grid search of the area, east to west, and then west to east, on my return trip, to the area, I started in. Being a park, with swimming, cookouts and a playground, I knew there would be a lot of metal trash, in this park. I decided to use my smaller 9” coil, for my Minelab Manticore metal detector. The smaller coil would pick up less trash, with every swing making it easier to hear the pendant, I was searching for. As I started searching, I was picking up lots of trash signals and also, lots of coin signals. Elley went to get Kasper, out of her vehicle, while I searched , so she could walk him. As I grid searched, back and forth, I could see Elley and the dog, on one of the trails. As I was watching Kasper happily pulling Elley along, I received a very loud mid tone, and reading 63-64, on my VDI screen. Definitely an object, in the copper range and only one bar showing on my VDI. This is my depth gauge and one bar is telling me that the target is on top of the surface to 2 or 3 inches, below the surface. With recently lost items, a one bar display, is exactly what I was hoping for. I looked down at the area and after 10 seconds or so, I spotted a copper colored pendant, hidden in the dead grass. BANG, After just 15 minutes of searching, I had the pendant. Elley and Kasper were walking towards me and I told her that I had found her pendant. After tying Kasper up, at the swing set, she excitedly came over, to me. I hadn’t picked the pendant up and asked Elley if she could see her pendant, in the dead grass. After showing her the area and with a clue or two, it still took 30 seconds of visually scanning the area, before she finally found the pendant. That how well it was hidden, in the grass. Elley screamed with delight and was all smiles, holding the pendant, up to her body, so thankful to have her Soul Dog Pendant back. I took a video, of Elley, visually searching, for her pendant and you may see it, on The Ring Finders of Maine’s Facebook Page.
Elley has given me permission to show her business card and I will be happy to. Should anyone in Southern Maine or New Hampshire have any questions about her dog training, or her other dog services, please reach out to her at 603-502-8682 and she will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Although I wasn’t able to meet Elley’s Soul Dog, Mina, Elley assured me she would give Mina the good news of getting her pendant back. As anyone who has ever owned a dog, dogs really are a member of the family.
So, another pendant, back on the chain. I love my job, it’s the best job, in the world 🦮😀❤️🙏


While up on a ladder, cleaning walls, during spring cleaning, I received the following voicemail,
“Yes, good morning, hello. My name is Louann, M*******, and I just wanted to give a quick call. I believe I lost a ring this morning walking my dog. Um, it fell off my necklace that came unclasped, and I just thought I’d give a call. I live on Franklin Street, Saco, Maine and so the walk was very short and um, Yes, if this is something that, um, you might be able to assist with. My number is 207-***-****. Thanks very much, and my name is Louann M*******. Thank you so much. Bye.”
I immediately called Louann back and she told me what has happened. As she was hurriedly getting ready for work, she put her necklace on that also contained a pendant and her mother’s cherished heirloom, gold wedding ring. Louann then took her dog, for a walk, just prior to leaving for work. While walking he dog, Louann felt the necklace, sliding down her neck. She grabbed her necklace, as it was going down her blouse and noticed that only the pendant was still on her necklace. Her mother’s wedding ring, was no where to be found. Louann searched the immediate area, where she felt the necklace, coming off her neck, but couldn’t find the ring. She then took the dog home, undressed and checked all her clothing, hoping the ring had become caught up, somewhere, in her clothing. No such luck. Louann then rewalked her route, carefully scanning the sidewalk, road and grass, of the many lawns. Again the ring was not found. Louann left for work and arrived late, for work. Once at work, she remembered about our services and looked our Facebook Page up and then called me. I told Louann that I lived just off of Saco Main Street, only 1 1/2 miles from her and would leave immediately. once Cheryl pardoned me from spring cleaning. Thankfully, Cheryl understands that rings lost in public spaces, are an extremely high priority. Time really is of the essence, when a ring is lost on a neighborhood sidewalk. There are always people out for a walk or run. There is also a school down the street and many students actually walk this sidewalk, to and from school. Louann and I were exchanging text messages, concerning the exact area, she had walked. I sent her an overhead view of the area, from Google Earth and marked the route out, that I thought she had described. Louann then sent me a view, of the exact route, she had taken, with her dog. Once Cheryl granted me a pardon , I headed to Louann’s house.
I arrived at her house in just 6-7 minutes and parked in her yard. Since her route was very short, I knew I wouldn’t need long to search. I could search the entire route, in just 20 minutes or so. I decided to search the grass, on the house side of the sidewalk as I walked northeast down Franklin. I would then search the strip of grass, between the sidewalk and street, on the return trip, to Louann’s house. I also decided that I would use my smallest metal detecting coil, the Minelab Manticore’s M8 Elliptical Coil. Because I would be searching an old, well traveled sidewalk and street, I knew there would be decades upon decades upon decades of trash, under the surface. There would be all kinds of small pieces of metal, like pull tabs, bottle caps, gum foil, etc.. The M8 Coil is only 8” wide by 11” long and will only detect what is under the coil. A larger coil would be picking up much more of the trash, with each swing of the detector, something I did not want to happen. The very small search area was going to be perfect, for this coil.
As I searched the lawns, in front of the houses, along the street, I couldn’t believe how many targets I was receiving. Everything from coins to trash were lining those yards. Because the ring was lost, just a few hours ago, I knew it would’t be under the surface. Every target, that was even close to gold, I would check, with my pinpointer, so as not to miss it. As I searched the grass, I was also visually searching, the sidewalk and street. After 10 minutes, I reached the turn around area, and the ring was still missing. I then headed back towards Louann’s house. This time I would be searching the grass strip, between the sidewalk and street. I was finding even more trash, in this area, than on the lawns. Amazing at just how much trash there is along the street and roads. Approximately 1/2 way back to Louann’s house, I finally heard an extremely loud low tone. As soon as I heard that repeatable low tone, I stopped and looked down it from of my coil and there sat a Gold Ring. Louann’s mother’s sentimental wedding ring. The ring was sitting, right nest to the sidewalk but was partially blended by the golden colored dead grass. Louann hadn’t seen it when she visually searched. I didn’t see it, while visually searching. Even after hundreds of rings being found, I am still amazed at how these things, just blend in with the environment. I made a short 30 second video and sent it to Louann, via text. Here is her reply,
“Omgosh ‼️‼️‼️💯🙌 Dennis! I am so happy, relieved, crying … i cannot thank you enough – i can come pick it up fr you later?🥹🥰Thanks SO very much – see you later. Also … that area where you found it, was same place i felt my chain falling from my around my neck, unclasped … as i was walking and i was frantic trying to locate the ring … 🤩🙌”
Louann came to my house, on her way home from work. I could see just how much this heirloom ring means to her, as I placed it in her hand. I could see her smile and maybe just a little misty eyed. There is no better feeling, than to help someone, get these cherished heirloom rings, back on their finger, of necklace, in this case. As I have said, in the past, every ring has a story. Louann’s mother’s ring has a long cherished family story. Now, a new chapter, in the story of this ring, has begun. I love my job, it’s the best job in the world.😀❤️🙏





