#York Maine Metal Detector Rental And Service Tag | The Ring Finders

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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Pendant Lost In Lyman, Maine Grass, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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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 🦮😀❤️🙏

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Gold Wedding Ring Lost In The Portland, Maine Snow, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Monday, March 9th, I received the following voicemail

“Hey, my name is Patrick. I got your telephone number off of your Facebook page for finding rings. I was hoping you’d be able to find mine. I mean, Portland. If you give me a call. Um, I’d appreciate it. My cell phone number is 860-***-****. Thank you
I called Patrick back immediately after listening to his voicemail, at 2:15pm. I asked Patrick what had happened and he relayed the story that he was building a new porch and front stairs , in Portland Maine. About 45 minutes earlier he noticed his wedding ring, of almost 10 years, was no longer on his finger. He stopped what he was doing and searched the sidewalk, in front of the area he had been working. Patrick had been cutting wood, , building the porch/stairs and walking back and forth to his work van, parked on the street. The ring was not seen and that was when Patrick called me. Patrick had to leave and be in Waterboro, for 3:30pm, to pick his children up, when they got off the bus. It was now just after 2:30pm and I told Patrick I would load my metal detector up and head right right in. My concern, as well as Patricks was that anyone walking past the house, would be able to see the ring and just pick it up. Time is of the essence, when jewelry is lost in public spaces.
As Cheryl and I were driving in, Patrick texted me and told me , “Ive got someone to get the kids off the bus so I’ll be here when you get here. Thank you!” Perfect!!! Cheryl and I arrived a short time later and Patrick showed me the areas of a few snowbanks, some leaves and under the new set of stairs. I asked Patrick a bunch of questions, as I always do. Patrick wasn’t 100% sure he had the ring on, when he left the house, but was pretty sure. He thought the ring may be under the porch, in all the leaves. So, now I just need to grid search the area, snow banks, along the house and under the porch. I grabbed my Manticore and started at the snow bank, to the left of the porch and on the other side of the sidewalk. Nothing found, in the snow. I then moved across the sidewalk and started searching the leaves, along the house. Still no wedding ring but lots of the usual trash. I then was searching underneath the porch but wasn’t getting any targets. Patrick was removing the remaining leaves from underneath the porch, with a rake. As Patrick was still removing leaves the leaves, I went to the small area of snow, just to the right of the porch. Still no ring. I turned towards the street and started searching the snow bank, on the other side and along the sidewalk. As I started searching I received a nice sounding target , ringing up between 32-34, on the VDI screen. As I looked closer, I could see the partial shape of a ring, in the snow, but hidden by a leaf. I looked at Patrick and told him that I had found his ring. He looked stunned and walked over to me. I then reached down, moved the leaf, picked the ring up and asked Patrick if that was his ring. Patrick verified it was his ring and a big smile broke out across our faces.
Patrick then told Cheryl and I he’s had the ring for almost 10 years. He will be celebrating his 10th anniversary on March 21st. WOW!!! He lost his wedding ring just 12 days before his 10th Anniversary. Thankfully we were able to find this extremely sentimental wedding ring and fast. Patrick and his wife will now be able to celebrate a milestone anniversary without any stress of trying to find his ring. This is a perfect example of why I love doing this. This ring meant everything to Patrick and I just get the best feeling, to be able to find these special pieces of jewelry. There is no better feeling, in the world, than to see the joy, happiness and smiles on people’s faces, when they get their ring back.
Another smile on the pile and another ring back on the finger. I love my job, it the best job in the world 😀❤️🙏

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Platinum And Diamond Anniversary Ring Lost In The Snow At Ice Fishing Derby, In Monmouth, Maine Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I received the following voicemail, late Saturday afternoon, February 21, 2026
“Hi, this is Justin L******. I’m calling uh, because I live in North Yarmouth, Maine , and uh, earlier this morning, it seems like my wife lost her ring. We have an idea of where it could be as a general area, but wasn’t sure if uh, you could provide any services to help us locate it. Now, if you could please give me a call back. My number is 207-***_****. Thank you. Bye.”
I immediately called Justin back and after asking him what happened, Justin gave me all the details. Justin, his wife Jackie and their children, had traveled to Cochnewagon Lake, in Monmouth, Maine . The family was attending the “Jacks Traps Youth Ice Fishing Derby”, which is an annual event, attended by literally hundreds and hundreds of people. Anyways, just before arriving to the lake, Jackie took her 10 year Anniversary Ring off and placed it, on a hat, that was in her lap. The very sentimental ring was a gift from Justin and is a Platinum and Diamond Ring. Jackie took the ring off to apply sunblock on her and her children’s faces. They would be out, on the lake all day, with no shelter, from the sun and as I always say, safety first. Once she finished applying the sunblock and they arrived, she exited the vehicle, helped unload all the equipment and then the family went a couple hundred yards, out onto the lake, where the children, enjoyed the fishing derby, around the drilled fishing holes. Towards the end of the day, the family went over to the Awards Ceremony and watched that for a while. While at the awards ceremony, Jackie took her gloves off and her stomach knotted up, her heart skipped a beat, as soon as she noticed her beloved anniversary ring was no longer on her finger. Jackie and Justin immediately going through the days events and thought the ring must have fallen into the parking lot, when she got out of the vehicle or possibly, still in the vehicle. Since they were way out on the lake, they decided to start searching the immediate area of where they were standing. Unfortunately, there was too much snow and to many people, in the area. If the ring was there, it was beneath the packed down snow. They then went back to the area, where the family had been ice fishing. Again, they did not find the ring, in all that snow. They also checked the parking lot and did not see the ring but the parking lot was full of vehicles and people. They went home with a very distraught Jackie thinking of nothing but her missing anniversary ring. Once home, Justin remembered seeing an article on The Ring Finders of Maine, from a few years earlier. Once he searched Ring Finder Maine, he saw many of my posts and that was when he contacted me.
I told Justin that being so late in the afternoon, I could meet him first thing in the morning, at 7:00am, right around sunrise. I would also see if Gary Hill was available to assist, in such a large, potentially, search area. I would also bring a backup metal detector, for him to use, if he would like. Three of us searching, what could be an area of a couple of football fields, large, would definitely be better than just me. Time is of the essence, in all lost ring recoveries. The ring was lost in a public area and someone may have seen it in the parking lot or out on the ice already and picked it up. The other big concern was the upcoming blizzard, in just 36 hours, on Monday morning. If we didn’t find it soon, it may be gone forever or damaged beyond repair, by a snowplow, in the parking lot. Justin signed right up for using my backup metal detector, without hesitation. Justin was closer to Monmouth Maine and he was actually heading back up there to search the parking lot, once everyone had dispersed. He would let me know if he found it. An hour or two later and now dark, Justin called me with the news of the ring still lost. He and Jackie told me the parking lot was very slushy and snow was packed, from everyone driving and walking on it, during the day. As the sun was now gone, they were worried the ring would freeze , in the slush and asked if the metal detectors would be able to find the ring, if it was frozen in the slush or snow. I told them yes, absolutely. I also told them I would bring test/set up rings, including a platinum ring to set up, calibrate the detectors and show Justin what he would be listening for, as he swung a metal detector.
So the next morning, Sunday February 22nd, Gary and I left our homes, at 5:35am, for the approximately hour and twenty minute drive to Monmouth, Maine. Once we arrived, I sent Justin a text , letting him know we were there and he replied he was only 5-10 out, from arriving. Gary and I looked out at the lake and were praying we didn’t have to go out there and search, such a very large area. As we were getting our equipment out of the car, Justin pulled in. After a few pleasantries, Justin pointed out the area they had parked, yesterday and the route Jackie had walked down to the lake. Once we calibrated the machines and Justin was shown how to use the detector, we headed towards the area where we were all hoping the ring would be.
Since our metal detectors will interfere with with other, if they are to close to each other, Gary started going up along the snowbank, towards the area, where they had parked. I asked Justin to search the area, between the two parking lots, but closer to the second lot, so as we wouldn’t interfere with each other . I would follow Gary, in the area he had skipped over. Nothing was found along the snow bank other than a dime and a few targets, in the ground. Justin had come over to see what the targets looked like as I explained why some of the targets could not be a platinum ring. Gary and I would now search the area, closest to the lot Jackie had been in. I would start on the right side, along the snow bank, Gary would be about 8-10 feet behind me, and a few steps to my left. We call this the snowplow grid search. It’s like the snowplows, on the Maine Turnpike. One plow will be in the far right lane, one in the center lane and one in the passing lane, each plow covering ground, the other plows don’t get. After a few steps, Justin had a target and I went over to see what it was. Unfortunately, it wasn’t Jackie’s ring. I i returned to where I had left off and as I arrived, Gary said to me, “Hey, I’ve got a really good target, 14 on the VDI. It’s down in the ice and snow. I grabbed my detector and checked the signal and it sounded really great, but was it the ring? Gary got his pinpointer out, located the target and very carefully, chiseled the ice and snow away. Gary really didn’t want to damage the target. As he was removing the ice and snow, we caught a small glimpse of a silver colored ring, with diamonds. Gary has found Jackie’s anniversary ring, YES!!! I looked over at Justin and shouted out, “We got it, Gary found the ring”. Justin came running over and Gary pointed to the ring still buried in the ice and snow and gave Justin the honor of removing the ring. Once Justin removed the ring and took a photo, he sent a text to Jackie. Justin then called Jackie, with the good news Jackie was pleased, over the moon happy and I can’t be certain but I thought her voice cracked a time or two. Gary and I also noticed a few happy tears coming down Justin’s face. He was extremely happy and he was wearing his emotions, on his sleeve. When I congratulated Justin and stuck my hand out, for a handshake. Justin wouldn’t have it and gave me a big hug with a smile, ear to ear
A beautiful moment for Jackie and Justin. Gary and I do this, for exactly these reasons. There is no better feeling in the world than to be able to help return such sentimental items. As we always say, every ring has a story and now Jackie’s anniversary ring has a new chapter. Gary and I were on cloud nine, as we said goodbye to Justin. Another ring back on the finger. We have the best job in the world. We love our job!!!
Once home, I received the following message from Justin
“Thank you so much Dennis, I am eternally grateful for your help finding my wife’s ring. I’m still taken aback about your willingness to come and help at a moments notice. In today’s world, it makes you remember that there are still so many good people out there, and you stand out.”
Also, Please check out the video of Justin removing the ring, from the snow and ice and Jackie and Justin’s conversation , over the phone.
We have the best job in the world. We love our job!!!❤️🙏
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Engagement and Wedding Ring, Lost In The North Waterboro, Maine Snow, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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With 5 inches of freshly fallen snow overnight, Chery and I were out cleaning up the driveway and walkway, around our home. Once inside, I saw the following text message
“Hi! My name is Whitney, I’m reaching to contact Dennis at the Ring Finders of Maine. I lost my wedding ring in the snow this morning and wondering if you may be able to please help me find it? I received several recommendations to reach out to you, so sounds like you’re the guy we need!!”
I didn’t hesitate and called Whitney back immediately. Whitney told me she had gone out the morning and was between her porch stairs and the door to her garage, when she fell. She had been trying to pull up an extension cord, out of the snow , down near the garage. Once inside her home, Whitney realized she no longer had her Platinum Wedding ring on. Whitney and her husband went out and searched the area but had no luck. Whitney told me the ring should be a very defined area of no larger than 20’ X 20’ and more likely in a 10’ X 10’ area. Whitney had already left home, for a work meeting but would be home in 1 1/2 to 2 hours. We agreed I would meet her in about two hours, at her home, in North Waterboro, Maine.
So, a few hours later, Cheryl and I arrived at Whitney’s house and she said , I saw you on TV last night. I asked her if that is how she had heard about The Ring Finders of Maine and I was told that Whitney had placed a Facebook post, looking for help. Whitney then told me that she had many replies telling her to contact me and here we are. Whitney then showed us the very small area, she thought the ring would be in. I took out a test/set up ring and threw it in the snow. The ring disappeared, under the snow and I then ran my coil over the ring and it made a nice loud low tone. I told Whitney that was the sound we would be listening for. I then told Whitney that I would start a grid search, starting just a few feet out, of where she had fallen and I would follow her footsteps, towards the extension cord and garage door. I started my search and within 30 seconds, I received a loud low tone, reading 21, on the VDI screen. No way, could this be the wedding ring Whitney had lost? Whitney said “that is just about where I fell”. I removed my pinpointer and found the target, under the snow. As I scraped away the snow, I saw what appeared to be the side of a ring and said “We got a ring. I heard a “gasp”, from Whitney, as she quickly made her way over to me and when she looked down at the ring she said “Oh my gosh”. I then asked her if that was her ring and she replied “Yes, I think so”. The ring was still 80% buried in the snow and after taking a few photos, I pulled the ring out and there was no doubt the ring was Whitney’s wedding ring.
After a hug and some photos Cheryl and I left a smiling Whitney, standing approximately where the wedding ring had been found. Thankfully, another ring is back on the finger and another smile, for the smile pile. I love my job, it’s the best job in the world ❤️🙏
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Tungsten Wedding Ring Lost In The Hollis Center, Maine Snow, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I received the following text, at 5:20pm, Super Bowl Sunday,

“Hello, I saw your profile on The Ring Finders! My name is Steven, I lost my ring in my yard this evening in the snow and I cannot find it for the life of me. I live in Hollis Center, Maine, and would very much appreciate your service. Thank you for your time and have a great day!”

I immediately called Steven back and asked him what had happened. Steven told me that after finishing up a few things, he had been doing outside, he was about to enter his house through the back door, to his basement. Just before entering, he shook his hands, to remove the melting snow, from his hands. As he shook his hands, standing directly in front of the door, he felt his Tungsten Wedding Ring slipping off his finger. He then heard the ring, hit the hard packed snow, of the walkway, in front of the door. Steven didn’t hear the ring hit anything else, after the ring had hit the hard packed snow but the ring wasn’t on the walkway and Steven had no idea as to which way the ring had bounced. Had it gone off to the side of him, in front of him, in back of him? He just didn’t know and with areas of snow still up to 18” deep, his search of the surrounding area was futile. Trying to find something as small as a wedding ring in up to 18” of snow is virtually impossible, with the naked eye. Steven knew he needed help and that was when he reached out to me. I told Steven that since it was now dark outside I could come and search the next day, when I would have plenty of sunlight, to assist me. Even with a metal detector, I would need plenty of light because it really is difficult to see a ring, in the snow, even after my metal detector locates it. Plus, This was on Steven’s private property where there was no chance of a plow, shovel, snowblower, etc. would move the ring, outside of the area. There was also no chance of someone walking through the area, seeing the ring, on the walkway. Steven would leave the area undisturbed, until I was able to arrive, the next day.
Once I arrived, Steven immediately came out to meet me and I had brought a Tungsten ring with me to set up and calibrate my metal detector. I told Steven that Tungsten is a Non Ferrous, mid conducting metal and usually rings up in the 50’s on the Minelab Manticore, although I have found a few that have rung up in the high 40’s and low 60’s. I threw the ring into the snow and then show Steven how I hoped to find his ring. My coil found my test ring loud and clear, impressing Steven that he could actually hear the target. I then used my pinpointer and showed him how the pinpointer worked. Once I pinpointed the target, I still couldn’t see the ring, in the close to 12” of deep snow. I kept removing snow and finally it appeared. Thankfully there was plenty of sunshine to help me. Steven then took me to the back of the house, down a walkway, and showed me exactly where he had been standing, when his wedding ring came off of his finger. I looked at the area and my first thought was that the ring most likely didn’t land in front of him. The motion of shaking his hands, suggested to me that the ring would have gone behind him, possibly to his left side. He hadn’t heard anything, other that the wedding ring hitting the hard packed snow. Directly in front of him was his house and the ring didn’t hit the house or another hard object. Again, just lots of snow behind him. I started my metal detector up and stood where he had been standing and searched the snow to the immediate left of where he was shaking his hand. Nothing found. I then turned around and started searching behind where he had been and on just on the outside area, of the walkway. The area was very clean of any metal and just 2-3 minutes into the search, I received a strong signal, reading 56-57 on the Minelab Manticore’s VDI Screen. Definitely a non ferrous, mid conducting metal. I was pretty sure this was the wedding ring, as it was nice and loud and repeating. As I brushed the snow away, the ring came into focus and Steven broke out into a smile and giggle, saying “So fast”. I then asked Steven if that was his ring and he confirmed that it was his wedding ring and saying, “That’s wonderful, Thank you so much. I love this ring, more than anything. We just got married a couple of months ago, in October.” WOW, Newlyweds!!!! That explains this a little more. Cold, wet fingers, a new ring, that probably doesn’t fit quite right. What could possibly go wrong? As you all know, I have helped many newlyweds over the years. Experience tells me that most newlyweds have rings that are not the proper size and before you know it, the ring is gone. Thankfully for Steven, this happened right in his own backyard. I mentioned to Steven that he should probably get a clear silicone ring sizer , for his ring. You can get them at Amazon, Walmart or a jeweler, etc.. Usually less than $10.00 and you would have piece of mind that your ring is nice and snug, on your finger.
So another happy, smiling client and another ring, back on the finger. I love my job and it’s the best job, in the world.

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Three Gold Rings, Engagement, Wedding, Lost In The Kennebunk, Maine Snow, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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Just before 5:00pm, Friday January 30th, I received the following message , from Maggie

“Hey, are you close to Kennebunk, Maine ? We have an individual who lost three rings in the snow after tossing a ball for the dog. What is the cost to have them searched for?”

I replied “Hi So sorry to hear this. I do not charge for my Emergency Metal Detecting Services or my Time. I do however have a Transportation Fee of $25.00 to Kennebunk and that’s it.”

Maggie replied “When can you come? 80 York St”

I replied “Well, it would be dark before I can get to Kennebunk Maine tonight. I need good lighting, to find a ring in the snow. I could be there first thing in the morning, 7:00am, 8:00am or whatever works for you.”

We agreed that I would arrive at their location, bright and early, at 7:00am, as the sun was coming up. Maggie then explained the location was actually The Mooring , a Memory Care Facility and also a Respite Center, just off of Rt 1, in Kennebunk , Maine and not far from the Wells Maine town line. Mary is a caregiver , to the elderly, a very demanding job. Mary is staying at the Respite Center, for a short time and had been playing with a Labrador puppy named Millie. They were playing just outside the door, on the patio. Mary had been throwing a ball, into the snow and Millie had been retrieving the ball, bringing the ball back to Mary and repeating the playful game over and over. At some point during the playful game, Mary noticed her three rings were missing. The rings were a Yellow Gold Engagement Ring, a Yellow Gold Wedding Ring and a White Gold Ring, which was a gift, from her husband. All three rings had Diamonds in them and Mary was just beside herself, that the rings were no longer on her finger. Maggie, a staff member at The Mooring, told me that she would be working from 7:00am to 7:00pm, the next day and she would let me into the secure facility, to search for the rings.
So, Saturday morning , I left my home, in Saco, Maine, in the pre dawn hours, at 6:30am. I arrived right at 7:00am. Maggie was in the vestibule waiting for me and took me inside to meet Mary. Mary repeated the story that had been told to me, by Maggie and we then went outside, to the patio area. Mary showed me where she had been standing, on the patio, while throwing the ball. She also pointed in the direction that she had been throwing the ball. The most likely place the rings would be were just on the other side of a table and chairs, on the patio. I was then told that Mary and others, including staff had searched the area already but hadn’t been able to find any of the three rings. I could see the area had been disturbed quite a bit and was hoping the rings hadn’t been pushed too far down, into the snow or even moved out of the area. After shoveling quite a bit, a few days earlier, for a cell phone, I really wasn’t looking forward to shoveling more snow. But, I had brought my shovel, just in case.
I started the search by moving a few chairs out of the way and pushing the table slightly back, from the deep snow bank. I then started searching the snow, on the patio itself and nothing was found, until a minute into the search, when I received my first target. It was not the ring, but something under the patio. I then received a loud repeating target , near the base of the snowbank. It was definitely a non ferrous target and was ringing up a solid 41, on the VDI screen. As I moved the snow aside, with my hand, I saw the outline of a Yellow Gold Ring. WOW, only a minute or so and the first ring had been found. I passed the ring, to a now emotional Mary, who had some happy tear, in the corner of her eyes. Mary identified the ring, as her wedding ring. Well, that was easy enough and I knew the other rings had to be very close by. Another minute or two and I received another solid low tone non ferrous target, reading 25 on the VDI screen. This target was in the side of the snowbank and as I was brushing the snow away, a ring fell out of the snowbank. I reached down, picked it up and it was Mary’s Yellow Gold Engagement Ring. I passed it to Maggie and I could see Mary, on the patio, with happy tears still flowing. Now just one more ring. The White Gold Ring that was a gift from her husband. Almost immediately, I received a very low tone, non ferrous, reading 15 on the VDI screen. This just had to be the White Gold Ring and it was located just slightly higher, in the snowbank, than the Engagement Ring and less than a foot away. As I removed snow, with my hand, I saw the white band of the ring, sticking out of the snowbank. YES, SUCCESS!!! All three rings were now back on Mary’s finger and she was just so happy to have them back. Mary told me she hadn’t slept at all, last night because her precious rings were gone. Her husband was coming to visit her at 8:00am and she hadn’t called and told him that she had lost the rings. Now she had them back, she had no more worries. It wasn’t even 7:30am and she was just so relieved the rings had been found, prior to her husband’s arrival.
We all went back inside, as it was very cold. When I had arrived, the air temperature was a -3 degrees, without the wind chill. As we were talking and warming up, Maggie told me that she has followed my stories for years and knew who to contact, as soon as Mary told her about her lost rings. As we were all celebrating and smiling I took a photo of Maggie holding the three rings. Mary had asked me not to include any photos of her, in the story, like many other of my clients have in the past. Mary told me she is just not a social media person and I always honor their wish, not to have there photo included. Mary did say I could use the photo of her rings, back on her finger and I could sense a big change in her demeanor. Mary was now smiling, happy and most of all, she couldn’t wait to see her husband, just a half hour from now. What a beautiful moment seeing Mary smiling, awaiting to see her beloved husband, with the precious and sentimental rings, back on her finger, where they belong. I truly have the best job, in the world.🤗❤️🙏

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Cell Phone Lost While Plowing Snow In North Berwick, Maine Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Tuesday, January 27th, I received a message from Donna, a friend of my wife Cheryl and a follower of my Facebook Page. Donna asked if I would be able to find a cell phone, in a snowbank. She told me that a friend of hers, Bob, had lost his cell phone, while out plowing, a few days earlier, on Sunday. I replied that I could absolutely find cell phones but I had a few concerns,
1. How big was the snowbank? If the phone was in too deep, the detector wouldn’t be able to find it, unless we broke the snowbank down, by shoveling.
2. Has he any idea where and which snowbank, the phone would be in?
Donna then replied that she would have Bob call me directly and he could inform me, of what happened. The next day Bob called me and explained what had happened. He was plowing a very long driveway, in North Berwick (Maine) . On his first pass, of the driveway, he stopped after pushing the first plow full of snow, into a big snowbank, from the previous storms. He stopped as he was backing up, from the snowbank, maybe 20-25 feet from the snowbank, because his windshield was all icy and he couldn’t see properly. He exited the cab of the truck, cleared the windshield and returned to the cab of the truck. He backed up a little more and began plowing, up in the area of where he had gotten out of the truck. When that area was clear, he was backing up, further down the hill part of driveway, when his earpiece , for his phone, said that his phone had become disconnected and was out of range. Bob was surprised because he thought the phone was on top of the center console. He searched the cab of his truck, but his phone wasn’t there. Bob drove back to the end of the driveway, where he had pushed the first plow full of snow and his earpiece reconnected, with his phone. He looked around the driveway but couldn’t see the phone. That could mean only one thing, he had plowed his phone, into the large snowbank, at the end of the driveway. I agreed to meet Bob the next day, at 9:30am and Bob said he would be bringing someone with him, to help shovel, if needed. I told Bob I would also brig a shovel and a second metal detector, which someone would be able to use.
So, Thursday morning, January 29th, I met Bob and Jason at the property, where the phone was lost at. It was now 4 days after the phone was lost and Bob’s earpiece would no longer connect, with the phone. The freezing cold, over the 4 days had drained the battery. The snowbank was maybe 20-25 feet long and approximately 6 feet high. That is a lot of snow. Bob showed me where he had gotten out of the truck and where he had plowed, right after getting back into the truck. Bob was fairly confident the phone would be in the of the center of the snowbank. If we looked at the snowbank and divided it up into quarters, Bob thought it would be in one of the two middle quarters. We decided I would search the two middle quarters and if I didn’t find there phone, I would then search the two end quarters. After searching the entire front side of the snowbank, I didn’t receive any targets at all. Bob and Jason would start breaking down the front side of the snowbank, by shoveling and throwing the snow, into the driveway. I would go to the backside of the snowbank and search the backside. As I stepped off the top of the snowbank I literally went straight down into the very soft snow, up to my waist. Bob also, at the top of the snowbank had the same happen to him. We both had boots full of snow and had to remove the snow before starting back up. After searching the backside, still no targets at all. Bob and Jason had shoveled a few feet off the front side and they were exhausted. I started my other metal detector up and Bob started searching the front side. Over the next hour or so, Bob, Jason and myself took turns shoveling and metal detecting, with no luck at all. Bob started losing hope and said he would find it in the spring, when the snow melted. With the snowbank now approximately half the size it was when we started I asked Bob if he could take his plow and push the remaining snowbank back a little bit, to expose the deeper snow, towards the bottom of the snow bank. Maybe a foot or two at a time and I would then search the newly exposed snow. None of us wanted to keep shoveling as it would take an hour os so to finish, just the center area. Bob readily agreed to give it a try. Bob then pushed back a foot or so of the snowbank and I went in to search the area. No targets were found. Bob repeated the process and I once again went back and searched the area. As I searched towards the top of the newly plowed snow, I received a loud target and I knew deep down, it was the phone. We had literally not received any targets at all, in this snowbank and now, BOOM, a loud target. I started removing snow, with my hand as Jason looked on and Bob was still in the plow truck. As the snow was being removed, I saw the black top frame, of the phone. Jason and I turned to Bob and told him we had found it. Bob walked over and saw the phone sticking out of the snow bank and said “Wow, thats amazing”. Bob was very happy and was planning on taking it over to the Verizon store, in Sanford, Maine. They have something that they can do to dry the phone out in an hour and then download all the data, onto Bob’s new phone.
This certainly was one of the tougher recoveries I have done. Bob, Jason and myself were beat, after all that shoveling. But, It was all worth it, seeing how happy Bob was to have his phone back. As you know, phones are very expensive now and by recovering the phone, any insurance plans Bob has would cover any damage and the phone can now be used as a trade in. After an hour and a half or so, I was ready to go home, as were Bob and Jason. As I drove off, Bob had to finish cleaning up the driveway, because of all the snow, we had thrown onto it. You can bet he was using the plow and not the shovels. So, another phone, back in the pocket and another smile on their face. I truly have the best job in the world.😀❤️🙏
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Three Property Pins, Markers, Lost In York, Maine, Found In The Snow, With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I was contacted by Deanna, concerning finding some long lost property pins/markers, 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, because it was in the way of her mowing. She now regrets that decision. There are two pins, in particular, Deanna would like us to find. The first, must find pin, is along the road and approximately 380’, from a property pin, in the front of her house, next to a fence. Pin #1 isn’t vital to find, but would make this job much easier. The pin is no longer visible, so we will need to find this pin #1, in a very confined corner, then measure 380’, down the road and search for pin #2, that Deanna wants us to find. If and when we find Pin #2, we will need to measure approximately 102 feet, out into the field, and find the Pin #3, that needs to be found, for Deanna. Deanna would also like to find a 4th pin, but it wasn’t as important as pins #2 & 3. For a job this big, area wise and measurement wise, I called in Gary Hill, to assist. Gary was happy to go with me and I set a date and time with Deanna.

This morning, December 11th, 2025, Gary and I headed to York, Maine. We arrived at just before 8:00am and was promptly met by Deanna. She showed us the area and then had to head into work. Gary and I immediately got to work and went to find Pin #1, in the front of the house, along the fence. This pin was found within 1 minute and we now had a property pin, to measure from and down the road, 380’, to Property Pin #2. This is one of the must find pins, that Deanna wanted us to find. So, Gary and I retrieved the 300’ tape measure and looped it around Property Pin #1. I then walked it down the road 300’ and marked it, at that point. Gary brought the tape up to the 300’ mark and we measured out another 80’. We should now be able to locate Pin #2, in the vicinity. Using a tape measure isn’t as accurate as GPS, now used by surveyors but it will put us very close, to within a foot or so. Gary and I started searching and our first target looked promising. A definite piece of iron, ringing up in the ferrous range. As we dug it, it turned out to be a large spike, from a long, long time ago. As we continued the search, our second target was also a ferrous target and after digging it, we had found what we were looking for. Property pin #2, had been found. Deanna had given us some orange stakes, to place next to the property pins. This pin was a pipe, as was Pin #1 and we placed the orange stake, right into the pipe. This Pin #2 was within a foot of where the 380’ measurement came to. I love it when it works out like this. Now on to Property Pin #3. A must find, for Deanna. Gary and I then measured approximately 102’, into the field and Gary noticed an iron rebar rod, sticking out of the ground, at just about the area, we would be searching in. We dug around the rebar and saw that the rebar had actually been placed, inside a pipe, like the one we had just found, up near the road. This was to easy, so we searched the area, for anymore property pins, but found absolutely nothing. Fantastic!!! Property Pins #1,2 and 3 had been found. Now let’s see if Pin #4, is findable. Deanna had told me that she thought Pin #4 may be in amongst some trees. Only one way to find out, Gary and I measured the 85’ and because it is being measured, at an angle and not a straight line, from Pin #3, we had a slightly larger area, to search. Some of the area, as you got close to the trees, were difficult to search, because the hay was fairly tall and we couldn’t swing the metal detector, very well. This area also has what looks like some sort of small path, for farm equipment or ATV’s. The path area was frozen and difficult to dig. The area also was producing a lot and I mean, a lot of large ferrous targets. We were digging up large iron pieces of old farm equipment. Could these pieces of iron, be masking out, the much smaller iron Property Pin? We did find a large iron Pin but we are not sure if it is the Property Pin. It was found 4’, short of where it should have been found. Gary and I think it may have been part of a fence, at one time. We had been finding fence wire in the area, so kind of makes sense. We decided to call it a day, due to the difficult circumstances and return, in the spring, once the ground thaws, on the path and the hay will be flattened, from this winters snow. I am sure we will find Pin #4, in the spring. I sent Deanna a message about finding 3 of the four Property Pins and two of the pins, were the ones, she really wanted, to have us find. Gary and I were happy to have found the three and were really happy to be getting out of the brutal windy conditions. We now have something to look forward to, this sprig and Deanna is extremely happy to finally know where the Property Pins are.
As a side note, 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 pin but I cannot guarantee that the pin is in the correct location. I have no way of knowing if the pin has actually been moved, in the past, or not. Only a licensed surveyor can guarantee the pins are in the correct spot.
Another adventure with property pins and this was a first for Gary and I. We searched fo, the pins, in the snow. We had never done that before and we were actually surprised at how much fun it was. Ok, not that much fun! Thankfully, not all of the ground was frozen and the snow was only an inch or two deep. This up coming spring, Gary and I will head back to York and hopefully find Property Pin #4. Who doesn’t love helping others out. Gary and I are happy, Deanna is happy. A win, win for everyone and smiles all around. We have the best job in the world😀❤️🙏

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iPhone Cell Phone Lost In The Windham Maine Snow, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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Thursday morning, December 4th, I received a phone call from Kandy. Kandy’s friend, Corey, had lost his cell phone, a few days earlier, while shoveling his driveway, during a snow storm. Corey wasn’t able to call me, because, well, he lost his phone. Kandy told me that Corey searched the areas that he had shoveled, along the driveway and up to the shed, on his Town of Windham, Maine property. Kandy and others had also searched the snow and snow banks, for Corey’s phone, without finding it. Kandy asked if I could search for the phone, with my metal detector. I told her I could absolutely search for it , but it would be in an hour or so, as Cheryl and I were in Biddeford, Maine, running errands. I told Kandy that as soon as I returned home, I would grab my metal detecting equipment and head to Windham, Maine. It was now just after 10:00am and I figured I could get to Corey’s house around 11:30am and 12:00pm. Candy said that would be great and if I needed anything, she only lived approximately 10 minutes away.
After dropping Cheryl off at home and loading my equipment up, I left for the Windham Maine Highland Lake area, arriving at 11:45am. I immediately took a photo, of the driveway and sent it to Kandy. I want to make sure I had the right property and not someone else’s. Kandy replied immediately and confirmed I had the correct property. The search area was not very large, at all. I was estimating 15-20 minutes to search the shoveled areas. I would start at the left front of the driveway, as you faced the house. I would search straight up the driveway and walkway, then turn and come down the right side of the driveway. As I started, I could see quite a few potential obstacles, in the way of large pieces of metal. While searching, large metal will mask the item, I am looking for. My metal detector cannot get within a foot or two of vehicle, lawn furniture, even houses, with aluminum siding. If the item I am looking for, is next to one of these sources of interference, I may not be able to find the item. As soon as I started, I saw a cyclone fence, lawn furniture and other metal objects. If I was unable to locate the phone, because of this metal, I would need to go back and use my pinpointer, sticking into the snow and hoping it picks up the phone. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.
As I made my way along the cyclone fence, it really wasn’t interfering at all, except in the area, of the support posts, for the fence. So far, so good but still no phone. Next up was the path, to the shed and there was no interference and also no phone. I then made my way back down the path, along the house, with interference, but still no phone. I only had a 25-30 foot section of snow to search, from the corner of the house, to the mailbox. Approximately 1/2 way between the corner of the house and the mailbox, I received a very loud high tone, reading 96, on my VDI screen. I couldn’t see anything, so I continued swinging the coil, removing a little snow, from the area, with each swing. All of a sudden, I saw the side outline of something black, just like a phone. I removed a little more snow and verified that it was Corey’s phone. My first thought was, YES, I wan’t have to go back along the metal interference it’s and search manually, with the pinpointer. I then took a photo, of the phone, all covered in snow and sent it to Kandy. The entire search, from the timestamp on the photo I took and sent to Kandy, at the start of the search, to the photo I just took of the phone was just 18 minutes. Not to bad. I then called Kandy and she was so happy that Corey would be getting his phone back. Kandy arrived about 10-15 minutes and thank me again for coming out so quickly and expressed amazement that the phone was found and so fast. She told me that where I found the phone wasn’t searched throughly because Corey really thought it wasn’t lost in that area and most of the search effort was along the other areas. As you all know, if you aren’t sure where something was lost, it could be anywhere. Kandy then took a few photos of me holding the phone, as she preferred not be be all over social media. As I was leaving, Kandy was still all smiles, thanking me and was heading, into the house, to leave Corey’s phone inside. Later that afternoon, Kandy sent me a message

“Thank you again! Really appreciate you coming so quickly. Corey is very grateful that you found his phone.”

So, more smiles and another phone back up to the ear. I have the best job, in the world.😀❤️🙏

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