Dennis Boothby, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 6 of 17

Platinum Wedding Ring Lost In The Drakes Island, Wells Beach, Maine Surf, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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Cheryl and I arrived home, from a successful recovery and return, in Eliot, Maineat approximately 11:00am. At just prior to 1:00pm, I received a call from Megan. Megan told me that earlier that morning, at around 9:30am, her husband Craig had been throwing a football around, with their son. They were in the water, on Drakes Island, Maine, in Wells, Maine, when on one of Craig’s throws, he saw his Platinum Wedding Ring come flying off and land in the surf. After searching for the ring, in the water, they gave up. Megan told me that they were on vacation at Drake’s Island and live in Connecticut. She had placed a Facebook post about the lost ring and asked that anyone who found it, to please contact her. Once the post went live, Megan said that many of the comments said to contact The Ring Finders of Maine. Megan and Craig had never heard of me, so they investigated my Facebook Page and saw all the successful recoveries. That is when they decided to call me and give it a shot.

I told Megan that I could go down, asap but was a little concerned about the correct area to search. I texted her a photo, of Drake’s Island Beach and broke the beach up into 4 sections. I asked her which section the ring was lost in. She replied section 3. I told her I was on my way and if someone could meet me there to pinpoint the location. She told me they weren’t there at the moment, but Craig would meet me there, as soon as as he could get there. Perfect!!! Once I arrived at 1:40pm, I took a few photos and texted them the location I was at. At this point, Craig called me and told me It looked good and that he was just to the left, of the Lifeguard stand and his son was to the right of the stand, while throwing the football. He thinks the ring would be to the right of the stand and may be in the rocks, but more likely just outside the rocks, going towards the water. Craig also told me that he was on his way to Drakes Island but was coming from Freeport, Maine, where he was visiting family. There was also an accident on the Maine Turnpike, slowing traffic down and he didn’t expect to arrive at Drake’s Island, for at least a half hour. No problem. I would start the grid search a little further out from where he thinks the ring would be. I would grid horizontally,to the water and shore, work towards the shore. The length of the search was approximately 75’ long as I worked the grid line, I was only finding mostly trash targets. After approximately a half hour of searching, I turned to start a new grid line, towards the north. After a few steps, I received the low tone that I was looking for and the VDI screen was reading, 17-18. Definitely in the Platinum range, as my own Platinum Ring will come in at a 19-20. I took one scoop of sand and threw it up on the hard packed. I then used my pinpointer to locate the target, by scraping the sand away, until I saw a silver colored ring. I cleaned the ring off and saw “Plat” on the inside of the band. Definitely Platinum, but I saw an inscription on the inside of the band also. No one had mentioned an inscription. I then sent a photo to Craig, of the ring on top of my sand scoop
“Think I have it. What is the inscription?”
Craig replied, “Looks right. The inscription is 05-10-08”
I replied, “Congratulations. That is it. Plat 5-10-08”
Craig replied with a thumbs up 👍 and told me he was still 10 minutes out and he would meet me at the house. I walked back up to his vacation rental and waited a few minutes for Craig to arrive. Once I showed him the ring, he was amazed I had found it and so fast. He was also very happy, smiling and thankful as he shook my hand. Thankfully I was able to locate the ring, as not all rings, lost in the ocean are recovered. A few things in his favor were that he lost it closer to high tide, than low tide. When you lose a ring, in the water at low tide, those are difficult recoveries. You now have less time to search, because the water will be coming back in, covering the area, in deeper water. Craig also gave perfect directions as to where he thought his ring would be and he nailed it on the head. I have had multiple searches, where I was given the wrong location to search. Those don’t usually end well. But, this did end well and I was so happy, to have been able to help Craig recover his lost wedding ring. There is no better feeling, than to return a lost item, unless you return two lost items, in the same day, which I just did. Two smiles 😁😁, on the same day is an incredible day and I won’t forget it, any time soon. ❤️🙏

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Custom Made Gold Diamond Ring Lost In The Eliot, Maine Grass, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Saturday evening at just after 5:00pm, I received the following text message.

“Hello I lost a gold ring at my family party today. We’ve been looking in her yard for hours and can’t find it. We are in Eliot, Maine. Do you know if you can come this far south to help me find it.”

I immediately called back and was told that his name is Dustin. Dustin was at a family gathering of his parents, Aunts, Uncle’s, Cousins, etc.. Dustin had recently had Achilles Tendon Surgery and wasn’t able to do much, as far as walking far distances or running. There was a tent set up in the back yard and Dustin was sitting at the table, under the tent. Lobster was being served and Dustin removed gold ring, with a single diamond in it. He didn’t want to get the lobster, butter and juices, all over his new ring, of one month. Dustin took the ring off and put it in the pocket of his khaki shorts, along with his keys. Dustin had some gold necklaces melted down and had the gold ring with the diamond, custom made, for himself. He said he had it made with Jyotish Astrology, in mind, something that Dustin has an interest in.

Once the meal was over, Dustin and his cousins played some football. Since Dustin couldn’t run or move around much, he was the so called “Designated Quarterback”. He could just throw the ball to his cousins, while just standing there. Once the game was over, Dustin started walking to his car and reached into his pocket for his ring and car keys. He pulled his keys out, but his new ring was missing. The entire family started searching for the ring. The area was small, since Dustin had only been at the table, under the tent set, when he took the ring off, and the to the area where he stood to throw the football. An area of approximately 25’ X 60’ and the path he took as he walked towards the driveway, where he was parked. That’s the entire area and yet, the ring wasn’t found. That is when Dustin called me. I told Dustin that I was also at a dinner and that by the time I got my equipment and drove to Eliot, it wouldn’t give me much time to search, before it got dark. I asked if I could come and search, first thing in the morning, at 8.00am. Since the ring was on private property, no one else would be finding the ring. Dustin agreed and was happy to know that I would be able to help.

Cheryl and I left our home, in Saco, Maine at 7:00am and arrived at the search area at 8:00am. Dustin was there to greet us and show us the area, where he thinks the ring was hiding in the grass. I must admit, the grass was nice and thick, almost like a carpet. This grass could absolutely hide a ring. Dustin really thought the ring would be in the area, he took the ring off, and where he was sitting, under the tent. If not there, it would be in the area where he was throwing the football, just 25’ to 30’ away. I told Dustin that I would grid search the entire area, he had been in, yesterday. I would start in the area of the tent and the table. I would then work my way towards the area he had stood, throwing the football. I should be able to search the entire 25’ to 60’, in less than an hour. As I worked my way across the lawn, I wasn’t getting many non ferrous targets but when I did, I checked the thick grass with my pinpointer. Unfortunately the ring wasn’t found after approximately 45 minutes of searching. I then asked Dustin what path he took towards his vehicle and where was he when he took the keys out of his pocket. Dustin couldn’t remember the exact area but it was either along the wall of where the ten was or just another 5’ or 10’ to the right of that. I searched that area and came up empty again. Since I only had another 10 feet or so, to a large bush, I decided to grid search, over to the bush. As I kept going, I wasn’t getting many almost to the bush when Dusting said he never went that far over, towards the bush. I told Dustin that I just wanted to finish the area, so I would remember what has and hasn’t been searched. Just another minute or so and only one more grid line, from the bush, I received a very loud signal, showing 67 to 69 on my VDI screen. The VDI was also showing the target was on or very near the top of the soil. As I looked down, in the thick grass, I didn’t see the target. I reached into the thick grass and started pushing the grass away. I then saw a gold ring. I had finally found it. I then asked Cheryl to come over and bring the paper towel, so I could wipe away the sweat, from my face. It was just a ploy, to tell her I had found the ring. I asked her to start filming a video, when I asked Dustin to come over to me and answer some questions. When Dustin arrived to where I was , I asked him a question and as he answered, I reached down into the grass, picked the ring up and said, “I got it”, holding the ring up so Dustin could see it. I saw his smile break out and he said “Oh dude, thank you so much , man oh man” as he pumped his fists, high 5’d me and gave me a hug. Dustin was very happy to have his ring back. He couldn’t believe I found it so close to the bush. He said he was never that close to the bush. I told him that we always find rings where people don’t think we would find them. Possibly Dustin did go that far over and just doesn’t remember. We will never know. I do know that this ring was really hidden in the thick grass. It never would have been found, visually. Thankfully, my metal detector is my eyes 👀 and it may have taken an hour, but it was finally located. If I don’t find the lost item, in an area, I will just keep expanding the area. Everyone knew it was there, it was just a matter of getting my coil over it.
Once again, a successful recovery and a smiling client. I love helping others out, like Dustin, in their time of need. It’s just the best feeling in the world to see those smiles, when I hand over their very precious, sentimental item back to them. It the best job in the world ❤️🙏

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Very Small Gold Earring Lost In Grass South Portland, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Friday, July 18th, Gary Hill and I were returning from Short Sands Beach York Maine, in York Beach, Maine. We had a successful recovery, after Gary had recovered a lost pendant. As we were approaching the Town of Wells, Maine, my phone rang. The caller identified herself as Sarah. Sarah told me that she was at Scratch Baking Co., in South Portland, Maine and she had just lost a very small gold earring. As she and her daughter, Eliza were eating lunch, outside on a bench, she had felt and seen the gold earring, become entangled in Eliza’s hair. As Sarah went to grab the earring, from Eliza’s hair, Eliza spun away and the earring fell into the grass and acorn shells. They had been searching for the earring, for a half hour and just couldn’t find it. She asked if I could help her. I told her Gary and I could be there in approximately 45 minutes, as we were still on Rt 1, in Wells, Maine. Sarah and Eliza would continue to search for the earring, as Gary and I made our way north, to South Portland Maine and Scratch Baking Co…

Once Gary and I arrived we saw Sarah and Eliza sitting on the beach, under the tree. They told us they still hadn’t found the earring. Gary had brought his 8” sniper coil, as this would work best for extremely small gold items. We decided that Gary would start grid searching, with the Minelab Manticore and 8” sniper coil. I would visually search and run my pinpointer through the grass, hoping to get lucky. After approximately 20-30 minutes, the earring still wasn’t found. Just amazing how these things disappear from sight. Gary and I decided to switch roles. I would grid search vertically, where Gary had searched horizontally, to the street. Gary would now visually search and man the pinpointer. After about 5 minutes, I received a repeatable target of 06 – 07, on the VDI screen and the sweet sounding low tone of gold. I still couldn’t see the target but could definitely hear the target. I reached down and moved the grass and still couldn’t see the target. I then moved a few pieces of broken acorn shells and staring back at me was an extremely small gold earring. I looked over at Sarah and Eliza and said “I found it”. Sarah jumped right up and came towards me, saying “Did you really? Thank you so much”. This earring would not have been found by just visually searching. How did the earring end up under the broken acorn shells? We may never know for sure but most likely the shells ended up on top of the earring during the initial search, by Sarah and Eliza. As they were walking, in the area and running their fingers through the grass, they may have inadvertently moved the shells, onto the earring. Either way, Sarah now had her gold earring back and was very happy with that. Sarah and Eliza are from Massachusetts and had been in the area, when they stopped at Scratch Baking, for lunch. The lunch turned out much longer than they had planned and they were very excited to be getting back on the road, to drive home. That is one reason, why there are so few photos. We didn’t want to hold them up any longer than necessary. Gary and I were also happy to be heading home as we had now been on the road, searching for lost items, for 6 1/2 hours. After two successful recoveries today , it was time to go home, get something to eat and reflect on our day. We absolutely love doing this for others and have the best job in the world.

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Labradoite Pendant “Wedding Ring” Lost In The Sand At York Beach Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Thursday, July 18th, I received a call, from Nikki, around 2:00pm. Nikki told me that the previous evening, she and other vacationing family members, had walked from the place they were staying, in York Beach, Maine, down to Short Sands Beach. The group had walked the sidewalks, around the gazebo, in Ellis Park and eventually, down onto Short Sands Beach. They had entered the beach, near the gazebo and had walked , at an angle, down to the rocks, on the southern end of the beach. They then walked along the water and also, in the water, as the tide was going out, to the northern end of the beach. This would be approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of a mile long. They were on the beach, between 8:30pm and 9:30pm, with low tide at 10:18pm. At some point on the way back, towards the southern end of the beach, Nikki noticed that her Labradoite Pendant was missing. Since they had been walking along the water, the group started searching the beach, but it was now dark and not easy to see. Nikki’s three year old daughter was also along, on the family walk and as children do, she was running and zigzagging, on the beach, with Nikki chasing her. There was no way to remember exactly where on the beach, Ellis Park and sidewalk, they had actually walked. The next morning, Nikki and other family members went and searched the sidewalks, park and beach, in the daylight. The Labradoite Pendant was not found. While on Short Sands Beach, Nikki saw two metal detectorists and asked them if they had found the pendant or if they could help her find it. They hadn’t found the pendant and they told her that she should contact, The Ring Finders of Maine for help. Nikki then called me a few hours later. A BIG shout to the two metal detectorists, for the referral. I greatly appreciate it.

I told Nikki that I would need to check the tide charts to see when the best time to search would be. Since she was walking along the water approximately an hour before, low tide, I wanted to search for 2 to 3 hours, prior to low tide, following the tide out, until low tide arrived. Once I confirmed the best time to search was the following morning, on Friday, I texted the information to Nikki and we agreed to meet at the Gazebo at 9:00am, with low tide at 11:31am and as a bonus m the tide would actually be lower that on Wednesday night. This would give us more exposed wet sand to search and I could search from 9:00am to 12:00pm. I told Nikki that because she didn’t know the exact path that was walked, and the area is so large, the chance of a recovery was extremely unlikely. Just too much area, to search, with not enough time, because the tide woGary Hillming in. I told Nikki that I would see if Gary Hill were available and if he was, the two of us would be able to cover twice the amount of ground. I called Gary and he absolutely wanted to help. There is no way possible to cover this much ground, by myself. Actually, there is no way possible for Gary and I to cover this much ground, but we will double the area, I would have been able to cover.
We met Nikki at the Gazebo, a few minutes early and she pointed out the area we should search. I looked out over the beach and thought to myself that a miracle would need to happen, in order to locate this pendant. We could certainly grid search the tide line, as it went out but even Nikki didn’t know where, on the beach, she had chased her young daughter, many times, on the walk. Our best strategy was to split the beach in half, with me searching the southern half and Gary searching the northern half. We found the center of the beach, marked it by digging a hole in the sand. Gary to the north, towards Fun O Rama, an arcade and I headed south. Neither one of us were finding much. Mostly can slaw ((Small pieces of aluminum), foil and pull tabs. I just kept thinking to myself that this was going to take a miracle. A half hour went by, then an hour and all we had to show for our efforts were a bunch of grid lines that we had made to show where we had been. But, we kept going. Another 2 hours to go, before the tide would be working against us. About 25 minutes later, my phone rang and I saw it was Gary calling. I answered and Gary said, “You can stop now. I FOUND IT, come on down”. I turned around and saw Gary waving at me, approximately 100 yards, to the north. I made a beeline towards Gary he held up the Labradoite Pendant and I just said “I can’t believe you found it, UNBELIEVABLE. GREAT JOB GARY”. Gary was just smiling ear to ear. I tried calling Nikki but it went to voicemail. I took a few photos and sent them to Nikki. A few minutes later Nikki called and was very excited, thanking us. She also sent a text after seeing the photo and said “That’s it!!!” She said she would be right down. A short time later, Nikki, her husband, Chadley, and their 3 year old daughter arrived. They were stunned that we found it and I don’t blame them. I was also stunned Gary had found it. After all I had to,d Nikki is was highly unlikely it would be found. I told them that I estimated a less than 10% chance of finding it but someone was looking down on us and them. I could see Nikki was a little emotional and Gary and I were told that she and Chadley considered the Labradoite pendant, as their wedding ring. Chadley had been in Costa Rica, prior to their marriage. He bought matching, or as close to matching Labradoite Pendants as he could. One for Nikki and one for him. When they married, they had “Wedding Rings” tattooed onto their fingers but always wear the Labradoite Pendants, as their real wedding rings. Very cool 😎. After a few more minutes of small talk and thank you’s Gary and I said congratulations one last time and as we were walking away, Gary stopped, looked back and saw Nikki and Chadley embraced for an extended hug. Nikki had tears coming down her face. WOW, such a gratifying moment to witness, for Gary. I hadn’t turned around but wished I had. We search for these sentimental items for moments like this. It’s just the best feeling in the world, knowing we were able to help someone find a very sentimental item. It’s the best job in the world. ❤️🙏

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Very Sentimental Silver and Gold Wedding Ring Lost In Scarborough Pine Point Maine Surf, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Thursday evening, at 7:33pm, I received a phone call from Sam. Sam had been skim boarding, in Pine Point Beach, Maine, a neighborhood located in the Town of Scarborough, Maine Approximately a half hour earlier, Sam lost his extremely sentimental wedding ring, while skim boarding. Sam said he was about to wipe out and as he was trying to regain his balance, he felt his wedding ring slipping off. Sam and his wife and other family members, were sitting on the beach, when he lost his ring. Everyone immediately started searching the wet sand and water. Sam was not sure which way the ring went flying off but thought it went behind him, to the north, as he was flailing his arms, to regain his balance. After searching for a half hour, the ring was still not located and Sam called me. I told Sam that I could be there in 25 to 30 minutes. I also knew that the tide was now heading out and that was to our advantage. I also knew that once I arrived, I would have less than an hour of daylight left and if the ring hadn’t been found, I would be searching in the dark.

Once I arrived, just a little after 8:00pm, I met Sam and his wife Annie. Sam told me the ring was his grandfather’s wedding ring and it was both silver and gold. Sam was already thinking ahead and he had marked, with a line, an area to the north and to the south. The ring he said, should be within these boundary lines but he wasn’t sure about the depth of the boundary line, because he just didn’t know if the ring had flown off his finger, to the east and into the water or to the west, towards the dry sand, where his family was sitting, watching him skimboard I decided to start my south, north grid search, in the area where Sam felt his ring coming off. I would then keep gridding back and forth, following the tide out. After approximately 20 minutes, It was suggested by a family member that I should start searching up higher, near the dry sand. I did that and when the ring wasn’t found up high, near the dry sand, I went back to where I had stopped a few minutes earlier. Annie and Sam thought the ring would be found on the lower left of the grid area, as you faced the ocean. After an hour of not finding the ring, it was getting very dark. I could not see my grid lines and this was imperative, to a successful recovery. I then Told Sam and Annie that I would now search in grid fashion, east to west, so my grid lines would be much shorter and I would be able to see the better. Approximately 15 minutes later Sam and Annie left, telling Cheryl and I we should call it off, until it was light out. I knew I could complete the remaining search area in just another 15-20 minutes. If I hadn’t found the ring, by then, I would stop for the evening, returning the next evening. I couldn’t come back down in the morning because Gary and I had already been booked , in York, Maine, at Short Sands Beach. As I approached the last two grid lines, to be searched, I told Cheryl I was stopping, once these two lines were completed. As I turned and headed east, towards the water, I received a very loud signal. My detector was telling me it was not very deep, maybe 2-3 inches and that the target was a high conductor, reading 93-95 on my VDI screen. This was definitely in the sterling silver range and I immediately plunged my sand scoop, into the wet sand and threw the sand, up onto the beach, in a pile. I ran my detector, over the pile of sand and the target was definitely out of the hole and in the pile. I took my pinpointer and started flattening the sand out, until I located the target. As I kept removing the sand, I saw a ring come into focus, in the darkness. Cheryl put her phone flashlight on and as I picked the ring up, we could see the gold also. We have found Sam’s wedding ring. I took a few photos and Called Sam, to give him the great news. He didn’t answer. I then sent a text message, congratulating him and sent him the photos. After arriving at home, Sam replied to my text, saying

“I CANT BELIEVE THIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I will call you tomorrow! My phone ringer was off. You’re an absolute lifesaver. Cannot wait to make a post about this on Facebook. That’s the one without a doubt. Seriously you’re the man! I cannot describe how much that ring means and the service you provided!”

This morning, we communicated and I would meet Sam, late afternoon, in Pine Point, to return his ring. Once I arrived Sam and Annie thanked Cheryl and I for not giving up and finding his wedding ring. Sam and Annie told Cheryl and I that the wedding ring was once Sam’s grandfather’s wedding ring. Sam was and still is extremely close to his grandfather and grandmother who are both still living and have been married for approximately 60+- years. Sam told us that his grandfather taught him so much, including his love of fishing, that still exists today. When Sam got married, his grandfather GAVE SAM HIS WEDDING RING, so that Sam would have it as his own wedding ring. That’s right, Sam’s grandfather, still married (60+- years) , gave up his own wedding ring, to the grandson he loved so much, so that his ring, would live on in the marriage of his beloved grandson. WOW!!! WHAT A GIFT, WHAT A STORY ❤️
I personally have never heard of anyone doing this before. Passing down your own wedding ring, while still married truly shows the love between Sam and his grandfather. What an incredible gift. As I often say, every ring has a story and this is an incredible story. Now this 60+- year old ring lives on with a new chapter, in its story. I just absolutely love hearing stories like this and it just drives me to do more good. Helping people like Sam, in their time of need is the greatest job in the world ❤️🙏

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Engagement Ring Lost In The Old Orchard Beach, Maine Sand, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I received the following text, from Amanda, at 4:16pm, on Monday, July 14, 2025

“Hi Dennis, Unfortunately I lost my engagement ring on Old Orchard Beach Maine just outside of On The Beach Motel. I was wondering if you would be able to help? Thanks, Amanda”

I didn’t bother to text Amanda back, I immediately called her to get more details and information of what had happened. As it turns out, Amanda lost her Engagement Ring, the way a lot of people lose their rings, at the beach. Amanda had taken her Engagement Ring off, to apply sunscreen to herself and her children. Amanda had placed the engagement ring, on top of her beach bag and forgot about it. Amanda and her family were enjoying a beautiful beach day and when it was time to leave, her husband picked the bag up and they returned to their room, at the oceanfront motel they were staying at, called “On The Beach Motel”, located at 61 W Grand Ave., Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Once back in the room, at “On The Beach Motel”, Amanda remembered the engagement ring. Stephen searched through her beach bag and the room. She retraced her steps, back to their location, on the beach. She scoured the soft sand, where they had been set up for the day. No engagement ring was found. She went to “On The Beach Motel’s” office, to see if anyone had turned the ring in. No one had turned it in. The ring has now been lost for 2 hours and this is when Amanda contacted me. Once I had all the details, I told Amanda that I would leave instantly and be there in approximately 20 minutes. I just needed to change into my beach detecting attire and get my equipment, off the charger and into the vehicle. Amanda told me that when I arrive m she would meet me, on the beach, approximately 100’ to the right, of the “On The Beach Motel’s” beach access path.
When I arrived at the beach, I could see a woman standing out on the beach, looking down at the sand, in the area that Amanda said she would meet me. As I reached her she introduced herself and showed me the area she thought the ring would be in. I took a White Gold test ring and threw it into the sand. The ring quickly disappeared out of sight, into the very fine soft sand. Once I located the gold ring, I told Amanda that that would be the sound/tone that I would be listening for. I then showed her I would pinpoint the location, with my pinpointer. This always seems to reassure my clients that if the ring is there, they will also hear what I hear. They also seem comforted, knowing my detector and I know what we are doing.
I told Amanda that I would start my grid search, at the top of the banking, leading down the the water. This is also called “The Towel Line” to us metal detectorists because it is the first area people place their towels, when they arrive at the beach. It is the most sought after location, on the beach and this is where Amanda and her family had set up for the day. So, I started at the towel line and headed south, parallel to the water. I received a few very nice low tone signals and they both turned out to be just foil peel offs, from juice containers. Once I reached approximately 30’ or so, I stopped and turned around, heading back towards where I started, but not until I took a 1/2 step to my left. As I was heading north, on my new grid line, I received another very low tone and it was a VDI reading of 09 to 10. Definitely in the small gold ring range but also the dreadful foil targets. I felt confident on this one though. Just sounds a little better than foil. I took my pinpointer and located the target. I started carefully removing the sand m from atop the target. As I had removed 2 or 3 inches of sand, a White Gold Ring with Diamonds appeared, before me. I picked it up and showed Amanda and she very loudly stated, “That’s it, that’s my ring”. After a congratulatory fist bump, I handed Amanda the ring and also got a nice hug and a very big smile, from her. She was smiling ear to ear. From the time of her text to me, to me driving down to Old Orchard and me finding the ring, a total of just 34 minutes had past. Not to bad.
It is such a beautiful thing to see all the people go from down, despondent,anxious, etc., to smiling, hugging, laughing and just feeling great. I also feel great that I get to see and experience this quite often. There is no better feeling or job in the world.
As a side note I would like to address the importance of getting The Ring Finders of Maine to your location, asap. The area where the ring was lost in, “The Towel Line” is an area that many, many metal detectorist’s first go to, in the evening, after the beach goers, leave for the day. If Amanda hadn’t called me asap, the engagement may have been found by someone else and who knows if she would have ever gotten it back.
“The Towel Line” is also in the path of the “Beach Cleaning Machine”. If the ring was still there, in the morning, the “Beach Cleaning Machine” would definitely have gotten the ring and the ring would be gone forever. Time is of the essence, when you lose something, in a public space, like the beach or a park. Get us there asap by calling us as soon as you realize your item is missing. Don’t chance it by waiting to call because it may be to late to recover your item ❤️🙏

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53 Year Old Wedding Ring Lost For Seven Days In The Saco, Maine Sand Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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This is the last, of three rings, I recovered and returned, on Friday, July 11th.

The previous evening, Thursday July, 10th, I received a text message, from Ray W., in Stratham, New Hampshire. Ray is a fellow metal detectorist and also helps people recover their lost rings and has many recoveries, to his credit. Ray told me that he saw a posting, about a lost wedding ring, at Kinney Shores, Maine, in Saco, Maine. Ray said the wedding ring was lost, on July 4th, on the beach, near a lifeguard stand. Ray said he was an hour away from Kinney Shores Beach but I live in Saco and am just 4 miles down the road. Ray asked if he could contact the woman, who lost her wedding ring and give her my information. Absolutely give her my information. I love making recoveries, in my hometown. I told Ray that I was already booked in Ogunquit, Maine, very early the next morning but if she contacted me, I would be able to get to Kinney Shores, late morning or afternoon. Ray said he would contact her right then and give her my contact information.
So, after a successful recovery, in Ogunquit, Maine: Beautiful Place by the Sea, I came home and started running errands around Saco and then to Kennebunkport, Maine. While in the Town of Kennebunkport, I was contacted about a lost wedding ring, in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. I told them I would be there in an hour or so. I was then contacted again, about a lost wedding ring, in Kinney Shores. The woman identified herself as Toni. Toni told me that she was given my information, from Ray and asked if I could help her find her wedding ring, of 53 years. Wow, 53 years she has been wearing that ring and I really wanted to find it for her. I told Her I should be able to meet her there between 2:00pm and 3:00pm. She said that was great and to just call her, when I started over to Kinney Shores. Toni lived only 10 minutes away and would go straight over and meet me, next to the Lifeguard stand.

Once I arrived back in the area, Cheryl and I immediately headed to Old Orchard for the lost wedding ring there. Thankfully, I recovered that one in 5 to 7 minutes. As soon as I got in my vehicle, I called Toni and told her I was heading to Kinney Shores. She said that she would be right there. From the lost ring in Old Orchard Beach Maine, to Toni’s lost ring, in Kinney Shores, is less than 1 1/2 miles from each other. I wasn’t complaining about that.

Once I arrived, Toni arrived just a few minutes later. I asked her what had happened, as to how the ring was lost. Toni told me that she and her husband had come to Kinney Shores on the evening of July 4th, to watch the fireworks. While waiting for the fireworks to start, her engagement and wedding rings were bothering her finger. She took both rings off and rubbed her finger. As she was putting both rings back on, someone close to her lit some fireworks or some firecrackers. They were extremely close and very loud. This has startled Toni so much, that she kind of jumped away, just as she was putting the rings back on her finger. Toni’s engagement ring made onto her finger but the wedding ring of 53 years, fell into the sand, disappearing. She and her husband immediately started searching for it but were not able to locate the ring. She even went back in the daylight, sifting the sand, from the area, to no avail. She thought it was gone forever and just before their 54th Anniversary, just a month away, in August. Man, I really want to find this extremely sentimental ring. She also told me the ring had diamonds on it.
I told her my concern is that a ring, missing for 7 days, on the beach don’t usually end well. The area is metal detected by other Detectorist’s and it may have been found already. One thing going in her favor is that this section of beach doesn’t get cleaned by the beach rake. I could tell it didn’t because of the abundance of seaweed. I started grid searching, south to north, parallel to the water. My first grid line resulted in just a few pieces of foil and aluminum pull tabs. I turned around and headed north but the result was the same, no ring. I turned and headed south again and after just a few feet, I received a signal that I liked the sound of. I took my pinpointer out and started wiping the sand away, until I saw GOLD. I had found her lost wedding ring, after a full week, in the sand. As I stood up, I was playing coy, making a face of disappointment. Toni saw my face and body language and asked, “What’s that mean?” Since I hadn’t taken the ring out of the sand, I just motioned for her to come over and take a look. As she looked, I pointed to the ring but so little of it was showing, Toni wasn’t sure what she was looking at. I reached into the sand, pulled her ring out and all joy broke loose. High fives and hugs, along with congratulations from those around us broke out. Toni was so happy to have her precious wedding ring, of almost 54 years back, just before her upcoming anniversary. I was truly surprised that after 7 days, the ring was right where she thought it would be. Toni is sleeping well again and after 3 recoveries and returns, starting at 3:00am, this morning I will be sleeping well also. It the best feeling in the world to return a lost item, to the rightful owner and when you have three, it is euphoria. So with three rings returned today, do I call it a “Hat Trick”, “Triple Play”, “Three Ring Circus” “Three-Peat” or something else. Let me know what you would call it. Either way, I have the best job in the world. ❤️🙏

We would like to wish Toni and her husband an early HAPPY 54th ANNIVERSARY. Congratulations! ❤️🍾🥂❤️

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Gold Wedding Band Lost In The Old Orchard Beach Maine Sand, Found With A Metal Detector

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

I had just returned home from a successful Recovery and Return, in the Town of Ogunquit and Cheryl and I had a slew of errands to do, including grocery shopping. Once I showered, we were out the door, headed to Kennebunkport Maine. While we were out and about and almost done with our errands, I had a text message come in at 10:40am.. It was now 12:09 and I don’t know how I missed this message, from 1 1/2 hours earlier . Anyways, this was what the message said,

“Hi Dennis! My name is Duke and my wife thinks she lost her wedding ring at Old Orchard Beach near the end of Pearl Ave. Is there anything you can do to help us?”

I immediately called Duke back. He told me that the previous evening, he, his wife (Francesca) and others had gone down to the beach, at Pearl Ave, in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. They had gone down there to watch the weekly fireworks , put on by Palace Playland Amusement Park. The fireworks were scheduled for 9:45pm and Duke and Francesca had arrived early. While waiting for the fireworks to start, Francesca and Duke started horsing around, chasing each other, on the beach. While playfully running around, Francesca noticed her wedding ring was missing. The area they had been running around, wasn’t very large, maybe 20’ X 75’. Not knowing exactly where the ring came off, they and others started searching the sand but the ring was not located. The next morning, Friday July 11th, they returned to Pearl Ave and started searching again, looking and sifting through the sand. The ring was still not located. A beach goer had noticed what was going on and they were told about the missing ring. The beach goer knew about The Ring Finders of Maine’s Emergency Metal Detecting Services and told them they should contact me. That is when Duke, reached out to me.
After hearing the story, my first reaction was to ask Duke if the Beach Cleaning Machine had cleaned that section of beach, this morning. Duke replied that he hadn’t seen the beach cleaner and the sand was still full of footprints, from the previous evening. Hearing that was a huge relief. If the beach cleaner had gone through the area, the ring would have been scooped up with all the other trash and be long gone by now. I told Duke that I could certainly help search for the ring but I was in Kennebunkport and I would be back in the Old Orchard Beach Maine area around 2:00pm. Duke told me they would be there until I arrived and continue searching for the ring.
Once I arrived, just prior to 2:00pm, parking was at a premium. I couldn’t find parking, on Pearl St., so I went one street south of Pearl, on Union St. and found a spot to park, as someone was leaving. We entered the beach, on Union Avenue and headed north towards Pearl. As Cheryl and I were walking on the beach, I saw a couple, by themselves, with a metal detector, in the area of Pearl Ave.. As I approached, the person saw me and introduced himself. It was Duke and Francesca and Duke had gone to Walmart and purchased a metal detector. He had done this prior to contacting me. The young married couple had only found a few screws. They showed me the area they thought the ring would be in and where they had run around, the night before. Like I mentioned, it really wasn’t a large section and I estimated the entire area would only take me about 20 minutes. I explained to Francesca a Duke that I would perform a grid search, starting near the dune grass and working my way towards the water. I then had Duke throw his Gold Wedding Ring, into the sand. I would show Francesca and Duke how the metal detector works and the sound that the gold ring would make. I scanned my coil over the now disappeared ring and a nice loud low tone, emitted from the metal detector. This made the couple feel much better, knowing my detector would find the ring, once the coil went over it. I started my first grid line, up 75’ and turned around and headed back towards my starting point. Nothing on the first line, other tan 2 dimes and 2 pennies, along with a few pieces of foil. My second pass was not successful and neither was my 3 pass. On my 4th pass on the grid line, I received a loud low tone and I just knew this had to be the ring. Ringing up as an 18 on my VDI Screen was definitely in thee gold range but the tone, to me was unmistakable as gold. I removed my pinpointer and located the target, in the sand. I saw a beautiful shiny gold ring. I picked the ring up, turned towards everyone watching me and asked Francesca “Did you say the wedding ring is 14K Gold?’ She replied “Yes, it’s Gold”. I then held the ring up for everyone to see and said, “I found your ring”. Francesca hurriedly made her way towards me with a BIG smile. Cheers and clapping broke out from everyone in the area. A fantastic feeling of euphoria came over me. It had only taken me, maybe 5 to 7 minutes to find the ring. People shouted out congratulations and came over to shake my hand, along with a big hug from Francesca. Just a great feeling to be able to help others , in their time of need. The best feeling in the world and now I have recovered and returned two rings today.. I had found and returned a wedding ring in Ogunquit Beach, early this morning. Now I am heading to Kinney Shores, Maine, in Saco, Maine. That’s right. While still in Kennebunkport, Maine , Duke wasn’t the only person who contacted me. I would now be driving the 1 mile or so, to Kinney Shores to find a wedding ring, with diamonds, that had been lost on July 4th, a full week earlier. Will I make it 3 for 3 in ring searches for the day? Stay tuned, for more❤️🙏

 

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Gold Wedding Ring Lost In The Ogunquit, Maine Surf, Found With A Metal Detector

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

On Wednesday night at approximately 5:40pm, I received a phone call from Cindy. She was at Ogunquit Beach and her son, Kevin, had just lost his Gold Wedding Ring, in the ocean. Mary told me that Kevin was on his hands and knees, in the water, trying to find his ring. Mary asked if I could come to Ogunquit and try to find his wedding ring. I told Cindy that I would need to check the tide charts because I thought low tide had just passed and the tide should now be coming in. I told Cindy I would call her right back, after I checked the tide charts. As I checked the tide charts, my suspicion was correct. Low tide was at 5:00pm and it was now 5:45pm. I called Cindy back and told her that by the time I got my equipment loaded up in the vehicle and drive to Ogunquit Maine, the tide would be too high, to search for his ring. My best bet would be to see how low the 5:00pm tide was and compare it to the next morning’s low tide. I saw that the morning’s low tide, at 5:47am, would be 0.4, compared to the current low tide of 1.7. This means that the morning low tide would be out further, than the current low tide. I would be able to search just the wet sand and not worry about getting in the water. Perfect. I sent Cindy the information and told her I would be in Ogunquit, Maine, very early, to search for her son’s wedding ring. Cindy sent me a “pinned” location and a photo Kevin had taken, showing the shoreline, from the location he was searching for the ring. Great tools for the search and very smart of Kevin to keep his wits about him, to take the photo.

The next morning, Thursday, I awoke at 3:00am and was out the door at 3:30am. Low tide was at 5:47am and I wanted to arrive in Ogunquit by 4:15am and search the wet sand, as the tide receded. Once on the pre dawn beach, I up immediately started a north and south grid search. At the end of each grid search, I would dig a hole, in the sand, marking the end of the grid line. I was using a lifeguard stand, to the north and a an area 1/2 way between a ramp and a building, to the south, as my boundary markers. The photo and pinned location Kevin sent, showed the ring would be within these boundary markers.
After searching for an hour and a half, I still hadn’t found the ring and the sun was now up. Kevin arrived just before 6:00am and he thought the ring was out further, from where I was searching. I was in the correct area, just not out far enough. The photo was slightly blown up so figuring out the “depth” of how far out on the beach was difficult. Not only that, in my mind were at the morning low tide and the previous evening’s low tide, would have been closer to the shore. So, I went out further on the beach, in line with a large orange buoy and started searching again. I soon arrived to where I had started the search, earlier in the morning. After almost 4 1/2 hours of searching, still no wedding ring. I had searched from the large orange buoy, to almost the shore. Kevin and I made plans to return, the next morning at an even lower tide and continue searching. I would now start searching at the orange buoy and follow the tide out. Kevin would also go to the beach for tonight’s low tide and take some photos of the buoy, to see just how far out past the buoy, the tide actually was.
So this morning, Friday, I again arose at 3:00am. I arrived in Ogunquit at just after 4:00am. The beach was pitch black again. I resumed the search as best I could, in the darkness. Once it started getting light out, I could see my grid marks, much better and the search picked up steam. Both yesterday and this morning, very, very few non ferrous items were being found. After an hour of searching, still no wedding ring but I then received a nice loud low tone, on my Minelab Manticore. It definitely caught my attention and as I ran the coil back over it, I could see the VDI Screen showing a non ferrous, fairly low conductive number of 38. Definitely in the gold range and I was praying this was the ring. I took two big scoops of sand, throwing the first scoop, just to my right and the second scoop, just to the left of the first scoop. I ran my coil over both scoops and the nice loud signal was in the first scoop of sand. I pushed the first pile of sand, with my foot and broke it apart. Some of the sand went flying and just a couple feet away, I saw a metallic object, in the sand. I was nervous because it was round but from where I stood, it kind of looked like a round flip top, from an old beer can. As I leaned over to look at it, I broke out into a big smile and pumped my fist. It wasn’t a flip top, it was a ring. I looked at the inside, of the ring and saw 14K. I had found Kevin’s wedding ring. I then looked at the shoreline and I had found the ring, within the area we thought it would be in and very, very close to the pinned location.
I then took a few photos and sent two of the photos to Kevin, via a text message. Along with the photos I just simply stated “Congratulations”. Kevin’s response, “What?!?!, Im sorry I’m not there- will drive over now!” Kevin arrived just a few minutes later and was amazed he had his wedding ring back on his finger. Kevin told me that he and extended family members, including his parents, sister, cousins and all of their children p, were in Ogunquit for the week. Kevin felt he had put a “damper” on everyone’s vacation, because of his lost ring.
Kevin explained that he was in the shin high water, on Wednesday night, with his 2 year old son. They were just playing around gently splashing water on each other. Then in a split second, Kevin saw his wedding ring go flying off his hand. He tried catching it but it disappeared into the surf and sand. He immediately was on his hands and knees searching for the ring but it had been swallowed up by the ocean. As he was searching, his mother found me online and called me, unbeknownst to Kevin.
So alls well that end well and Kevin texted me later in the day, saying the following
“Headed back to the beach with the family- leaving my ring at home! “
Lesson learned I replied. Cindy, Kevin’s mother also messaged me the following
“Dennis, I can’t thank you enough for helping Kevin to find his ring!!! We are sitting down at the beach looking at the ocean and cannot believe you were able to find the ring! Whenever we think of Vacation 2025 we will remember your kindness!”
I feel so blessed to be able to help people like Kevin. There is no better feeling than to see all the smiles, when we return these very sentimental items. I love making smiles. Every ring has a story and know Kevin’s ring has a new chapter.❤️🙏

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Sentimental Gold And Diamond Ring Lost In Cornish, Maine, Found During A Visual Search

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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July 4th weekend was an extremely busy one , for The Ring Finders of Maine. Not only did Gary Hill and I recover and return 3 wedding and engagement rings, on July 5th, we also received multiple calls, that would require us to go search the next morning, on Sunday July 6th. There was a lost ring, in Portland, Maine and another in Cornish, Maine. I would search for ring in Portland, Maine, and Gary would search for the ring in Cornish Maine. This recovery and return is from the Cornish, Maine search and Gary Hill.

I received a call from Mary, on Saturday, July 5th. Mary was camping up in Cornish, at the Saco River Hideaway Camp. Her good friend, Tina lost an extremely sentimental ring, the night before, while enjoying the July 4th fireworks, at the campground. Mary told me that Tina, who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, was just absolutely devastated. Tina has difficulty getting around so she and her husband, Buddy, uses a golf cart, to get around the campground. After watching the fireworks, Tina and Buddy visited other campers, at their camp sites, enjoying the festive atmosphere with her many friends. Tina would not leave the golf cart and her husband would get her a drink and bring it to Tina, while still sitting, in the cart. At the end of the evening and back inside her camper, Tina realized she wasn’t wearing her ring. She and Buddy backtracked to all the camp sites and pavilion they had been at. Everyone they had visited helped, in the search for the ring, but it was dark and the gravel campground roads were a great place to hide a ring, not to mention the grassy areas. The ring was not found and Tina was absolutely devastated. I told Mary I was going to see if Gary was available, as I was heading to Portland in the morning. Gary was available and agreed to drive up to Cornish and hopefully find Tina’s ring. Below is Gary’s activities the next morning.

I arrived at Saco River Hideaway Campground, in Cornish, at 8:00 am and met with the campsite owner, who took me to Tina and Buddy’s campsite. Buddy explained to me they had taken the golf cart up to th Pavilion to see the fireworks. They then went visiting other campsites to celebrate the 4th eventually ending back home. After hearing Buddy’s story and being shown the areas they had traveled and visited,bI did a search of the driveway and around their fire pit. We then drove to the Pavillion and searched where they had parked the golf cart. Tina never left the golf cart and the ring had been on her left hand. Tina has Parkinson’s Disease had hadn’t moved around much. While searching this area a neighbor stopped and said Tina had the ring on her finger, when they visited another campsite just up the road. Ah a good clue. We walked from the Pavillion to the campsite checking both the road and grassy area. Nothing. We continued walking the road around the campsites checking each one. We continued searching until we arrived back to the Pavillion. From there we checked the road to the river. Still no ring. We went back to Buddy and Tina’s campsite and did another search. Nothing. After discussing all the events I had a strong feeling it was in the camper. Buddy asked if I would do a visual and maybe use pinpointer around the trash. I don’t usually go into residents home but this ring meant so much to Tina. After several minutes, in the camper, we ended up in the bathroom. In the corner was a spiral toilet paper holder. I glanced down the inside and beside a spare roll of toilet paper was the ring. The tears started flowing from Tina’s eyes. Truly a precious moment. Because of her difficulties of getting around, she couldn’t see the ring, in that area, of the bathroom.

I also received the following messages , from Mary, after Gary found the ring.

“We are beyond thankful and blessed for your help. I will be writing a review on your facebook page. Tina was so emotional when it was found. U and your colleagues are the best. Thank you again. Mary”

Another message from Mary

“Dennis. Her ring is so special because they have added to the ring over several years of marriage. Tina has Parkinson’s Disease and she does not get around very well. She was so devastated when she realized her ring cluster was gone. She was so emotional when it was found. The entire campground was out looking before I placed a call to you. I have read all your stories and they are so special. While the rings were very expensive, money could not replace the memories of how she received all three from her very dedicated husband. They are a wonderful couple and neighbors of mine at the campground. I plan to write a review attached to what you post. You and Gary are exceptional special guys and I thank you both from the bottom of my heart. So thankful for both of you”

“A sincere thank you does not even sum up the joy you brought to Tina and Buddy and to all the campers who so diligently search Saco River Hideaway Campground Dennis was so happy to take my call and arranged for Gary to meet with us bright and early on July 6th. You offer such a special service for those who have lost a treasured piece of Jewelry. Tina’s tears of joy flowed easily when her rings were found and her smile was so beautiful. Dennis and Gary are both one in a million caring guys.
I know you made our July 6th such a phenomenal day. Thank you, thank you, thank you💕”

Gary summed it up well,
“Well it just doesn’t get better than helping someone who truly needs our help. A beautiful and extremely special moment and I couldn’t have been happier for Tina. Happy Tears and smiles, it doesn’t get any better than that.”😀❤️🙏

 

 

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