Dennis Boothby, Author at The Ring Finders | Page 7 of 17

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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Sentimental Gold Wedding Ring Lost In A Portland, Maine Park. Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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I received a text, from ZAK that said

“Hey I lost a ring wondering if you could help”
I was still in Ogunquit, Maine, for my birthday dinner with Cheryl and it was 5:04pm. I immediately called Zak back and he explained to me that the previous night, Friday, July 4th, he and approximately 100 family members and friends had gathered at Friends of Payson Park, Portland ME, in Portland, Maine. They were there to celebrate the holiday and to celebrate Zac being in town to visit. He was leaving Sunday morning and had to be at the airport at 11:30am. Zak told me that he had lived in Portland, for many years and now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The large gathering was a great end to a great vacation, with family and friends.
While at the large gathering, Zak took his necklace off, from around his neck and put it in his front pocket. The necklace contained his wedding ring, that he wears around his neck, ever since his wife had passed away, a few years earlier. When Zac left the get together he arrived at his car and pulled the necklace out, to put back on. This is when he noticed that the necklace was unclasped and the extremely sentimental wedding ring was missing. Zak immediately went back to the gathering and informed everyone what had happened. Everyone immediately started searching for the ring but unfortunately, it was now dark and the grass was fairly tall. Not very good conditions, to visually search, for a lost ring.

The next morning, Zac went back to the site, in Payson Park and searched in daylight this time. Still, the ring was not found. As the day wore on, Zak was feeling very lost and down in the dumps, about his missing ring. He went to Cabela’s and was about to buy a metal detector, to go search, before his flight, the next day. Zac told me that he literally had a metal detector and was heading to the cashier, when a friend told him about The Ring Finders of Maine. So, while still at Cabela’s, Zac called me. He figured if I wasn’t able to help him he would buy the detector and try himself. This was when he called me. I told him that I could certainly help him and we made plans to meet up at 7:00am, the next morning, at Payson Park and search for the wedding ring. Zak thanked me for saving him the cost of a new metal detector that he didn’t know anything about. Zak also told me that the area where he had taken his necklace off in was not very large and he was certain the ring would be there, hidden in the tall grass. The area would on be an area of approximately 20’ X 30’ or so. That is not large at all and I could easily cover that area, in less than a half hour.

I met Zak right at 7:00am, on Sunday morning, July 6th and he took me to the area he thought his ring would be in. Unfortunately, everything looked differently, now that there was daylight and almost 2 days had passed. He walked the area a few times and was pretty sure an area he marked off, would be the correct area. I fired up my Minelab Manticore and then threw a gold test ring into the tall grass. I did this to show Zak, what sound the ring would make and what I would be looking for, on the vDI screen. Zak seemed confident, after seeing and hearing the test ring found, his ring would be found. I decided to start my grid search, in the area the necklace was taken off and go back and forth, working my way, towards the street. There is always the possibility that the ring could have been moved by someone accidentally kicking it or even one of the vehicles moving it, out of the area. It’s also very possible the ring was lost somewhere else in the park.
I searched for approximately 75’ to 100’ down the first grid line. There were lots of targets but they ended up being in the ground, when checked with my pinpointer. At the end of my first grid line, I took a 1/2 step to my left and headed back to the area, where I had started. Still nothing but trash and coins, in the ground. Zak was certain I would have found it in this area. He then said maybe I should go another 20’ to 25’ further down, from where I had started. So I went and searched 25’ up and back to where I had started. Still no ring had been found. I then told him that I would continue the grid search, as planned, add the extra 25’ to it and just keep going, working my way towards the street. I then started out again and just a few minutes later, I heard the best sounding tone of the search. It was loud and a very nice low tone. Zak and I looked into the tall grass but couldn’t see anything. I pushed the grass back and there it was, a GOLD RING. We had found Zack’s extremely sentimental wedding ring. I looked at Zac and he didn’t say a word. I saw his entire body, release all the tension and his eyes were watery. Zak was very emotional and wasn’t talking at all. Finally he said, “thank you so much. I can’t believe you found my ring, can I give you a hug?” Of course, I love hugs. We talked for another minute or so but Zac had to leave. He had a flight to catch, to Minneapolis. We said our goodbyes and as he walked away, I also walked towards my vehicle, with one big smile, on my face.
I then sent Zac a text, with a few questions

“Hi Zak, Did I spell your name right?
I just want to thank you for placing your trust in me, The Ring Finders of Maine. I was a pleasure helping you out, in your time of need. Just so happy you have your ring back.

Could you answer a few questions for my story.
1) Could you relate the story of how you got the ring and what made it so special to you.
2) What emotions went through you when you saw me find the ring?

I saw your whole body just release the tension and anxiety that you had. It was a beautiful moment to see.

Safe travels my friend ❤️🙏”

Zak’s reply

“Im not one that has an interest in jewlery and rings. For the wedding my wife picked this ring and i really liked it though. I rarely wore it. I got really attached to it and after she had passed I would wear it on the necklace. Unfortunately on saturday the habit backfired and taking the necklace off caused me to lose it.

I’m one to believe that what’s m3ant to be will be and losing it i resorted to accepting that i might never see it again. A friend recommended ring finders of maine and with my travels i didnt think someone would be able to come out in time and help find it. I had more reasons to give up and accept the loss but i had to try. As you were sweeping I had a rollercoaster of high hopes and low moments of despair. When you located it i let out a huge breath i felt i was holding in since the day before. There was wave of emotions that came over primarily relief and happiness i wanted to cry laugh all at once. And reliefed that i had not given up on the search. I kept saying its a material object and thats not where my sentimental value should lie but having it in hand you remember why it means so much to you. Her memory is alive within me and family but something tangible helps ground the memories and offers a sense of nostalgia that is hard to describe.

Once again thank you for your help and most importantly the reassurance that if it was lost in this area we will find it help to keep faith and not give up. Hope those who lose a valued item would know that there good people like yourself that selflessly help to return those item to their rightful ownerals.”

What a great story and I am so proud to have been able to help Zak, in his time of need. Thankful that I was able to find it, before his flight, so that he wouldn’t be thinking of his lost ring any longer. Every ring has a story and now Zac’s wedding ring has a new chapter ❤️🙏

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Engagement And Wedding Rings Lost In The Old Orchard Beach, Maine Sand, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Saturday July 5th, Cheryl and I were driving to Ogunquit Maine. As we were driving around 4:30pm my phone rang. I answered and Jared identified himself and told me that his sister had lost her Engagement and Wedding Rings, on the beach, near Union Ave, in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Jared wanted to know if I was available, to help him. I told him that I personally wasn’t available but that I could get someone to help him. I told him I would call someone and I would have them call his sister. I immediately called Gary Hill and gave Gary the information and Jared sister’s phone number. Gary told me he would call her, asap.

Gary met up with April, at Union Ave and She showed Gary where she thought the rings were. She explained to Gary that she, family and friends had gone to the beach. When they arrived, April took her rings off and applied lotion, on herself. She had placed the rings on her lap, while applying the lotion. April had then forgotten about the rings and gotten up. It wasn’t until later that she realized what had happened, but it was too late. The rings were already buried in the sand.
Gary said he started a grid search and went 25 feet, across the sand. As Gary turned and started back and started back, towards where he started, he immediately received a very nice target, reading an 07, on his Minelab Manticore’s VDI screen. This is a definite gold range target. Gary put his pinpointer in the sand and found his target. Gary then used his hand held sand scoop and out popped the first ring. Gary then rechecked the immediate area and received another target. Another scoop of sand and another ring popped out. WOW!!! Not even 5 minutes and Gary had gotten both rings. Incredible performance by Gary. A lot of people had gathered by then and photos were being taken. Several of the pictures were taken by a stranger who then forwarded them to Gary.
Gary said that April had become very emotional after getting her rings back. April thought they were gone forever and when she saw Gary pull them out of the sand, happy tears flowed. Gary was also very excited and happy for April. There is no better feeling than finding and returning a sentimental item, or two, that the owner thought they would never see again. April then texted me with the following, not knowing Gary had already messaged me

“He found them 🥹🥲 Thank you SO, SO MUCH!!! 🙏🏽”

The Ring Finders of Maine are proud of the service we provide. If I can’t personally get there to search for you, I will get Gary there. We want you to get your lost item back as much as you do. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing a clients smile or tears of joy. It just a great, great feeling. If you don’t believe me, ask Gary❤️🙏

To honor the clients wish, of not showing her face, on social media, I have placed a “Smiley” face, over her face. She said she is still smiling and her “new” face is very appropriate.

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Newlyweds Gold Wedding Ring Lost In The York Beach, Maine Surf, Found Underwater With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Friday July 4th,, just before 4:00pm,, I received the following Voicemail, from Colin

“Hi Dennis, My name is Colin and I got your name off of the Ring Finders of Maine website. Um, today, this afternoon, I lost my wedding ring at, ah, York Harbor Beach, Maine. That was about three hours ago and I’m asking for your services. Feel free to call me back as soon as you can at 508-***-**** and if I don’t answer, please text me, if you can. Um, any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Dennis”

I immediately called Colin back and Colin explained that between 12:00pm and 1:00pm he and his wife were in the ocean water tossing a football around and they were waist deep, in the water. Colin felt and saw his ring go flying off his finger, on one of the throws, to his wife. He and his wife immediately began to search the sandy ocean floor but it was too late. The wedding ring had already disappeared, under the surf and sand. I told Colin that since it was lost, at that time, it would have been lost at low tide and now, 3 or so hours later, there was no way I would be able to get out that far, to search for his ring, because of the incoming tide. My best chance would be to search the next low tide and get out in the water, at that time. I told Colin that I needed to research the tides for today and tomorrow and try to figure out where the tide was when they were in the water and what time tomorrow, would be best to search. I then highlighted a tide chart and texted it to Colin. I also sent Colin an overhead view of York Harbor Beach. I sectioned it in 8 sections and asked him which section he thinks he lost the ring in. He was sure it would be close to the border of sections 1 & 2. When Colin lost his wedding ring, low tide was at 1:03pm and was a 1.6 low tide. The next low tide was at 1:55am and was a 1.4 low tide. I told Colin that I would not search the 1:55am low tide because I do not perform water searches, at night, in the dark. It’s just to dangerous. If I were to be knocked over by a wave, which has happened to me, I could become entangled in all my gear and pulled under the water. It just isn’t worth the risk to search at night, by myself and no beach goers around, So, the daytime low tide on Saturn July 5th would be at 1:55pm and would be a 1.8, a slightly “higher” low tide than when Colin lost his ring. This means the water depth would be slightly deeper on this low tide and would be deeper that waist deep, that Colin had been in. I told Colin that I would arrive at York Harbor Beach at 11:30am and search, as the tide receded. I would search until 2:00pm, when the tide would not be going out any longer and would then be coming in, for the next high tide, later that evening. Now I wasn’t familiar with York Harbor Beach and I asked Colin about the parking situation. He told me he was staying at the York Harbor Inn, Maine and I should be able to park there, since he and his wife were guests. Perfect.

So today my wife Cheryl and I arrived at York Harbor Inn and I checked in with the front desk of the York Harbor Inn, to be sure I could park, on their property. They actually knew of me, The Ring Finders of Maine and were happy to let me park there, while searching for their guests wedding ring. As I was leaving the reception area, Colin and his wife arrived. They immediately took Cheryl and I down to the beach, where they were the previous day. As we walked to the beach Colin mentioned the wedding ring was just a little loose on his finger. I asked how long they had been married and they told me that today was their 1 week Anniversary, WAIT, WHAT? Newlyweds? That explains a lot. I have found many, many rings for people who have been married for less than a year. Their rings just aren’t quite sized properly. OK then, let’s get down to work. I really want to find this newlyweds wedding ring.

As I was getting my gear on I saw a fellow metal detectorist friend , I have know for years, approaching me. Ed, who runs a YouTube channel called Maine Beach Metal Detecting. I actually subscribed to his channel and love watching his video’s, good stuff. You should check his channel and subscribe also. Anyways, back to the story. Ed had seen a Facebook Post about the lost ring and contacted Colin. Colin told him that he already had me coming down, to search at low tide. Ed decided to come down and meet me to see if he could assist. I asked Ed if he wouldn’t mind searching the wet sand, performing a north and south grid search, following the tide out. I would go into the water and perform a north and south grid search, using landmarks, along the shore to keep me in a straight line. As I entered the water, I immediately felt the water’s freezing temperature. This was much colder that the water recovery I had performed, in Ocean Park Beach Maine, just two days earlier. To compound the matter, the sky was cloudy and I wasn’t getting any of the warmth, that the sun provided, just two days prior. As I was freezing to death, on this search, I was finding very, very few non ferrous targets. There was much more iron targets being detected but I just went over those. I was chest deep in the ocean and working my way further out. I figured I had been in the water, going back and forth for approximately 45 minutes to an hour and I also knew that the tide wouldn’t be going out much further. I was already up to my chest/arm pit area, deep in the water. I really couldn’t go out any further and feel safe about it. The waves were just rolling in and thankfully, weren’t breaking/crashing on me. I motioned to Cheryl to come to the waters edge. I wanted to know what time it was and try to figure out how much time I had left, before the tide started to come in. Cheryl said it was 12:30pm, leaving me with just under an hour and a half, before the tide, turned against me. Because of the waves, I knew I could probably do only one more grid line, to the north, before I had to stop the water search. As Cheryl headed back to the comforts of her chair, I took a half step to my right, into the slightly deeper and cold water. After approximately 5-7 minutes of the last grid line, to the north, I received a very loud low tone, on my Minelab Excalibur. This was absolutely the best sounding target of the day. Now the hard part. I needed to watch for the rolling waves, while feeling the undercurrent, rushing past my legs. I placed my right foot on the target to mark the location, I had to dig. I took my long handle sand scoop and plunged it into the sand. I brought up a scoop full of sand, shook the scoop, in the water, to remove the sand. Once the sand was gone, I looked into the scoop and absolutely nothing but some rocks and a sand dollar. I dumped those back into the ocean and ran my detector, back over the hole to relocate the target. I located the target and it was still in the dug hole. I took another scoop of sand, from the hole and shook the sand out. I looked into the scoop and there were more rocks and a big shiny GOLD RING, staring back at me. I was very excited to have found Colin’s ring and I immediately yelled to everyone that I had found the ring. I then lifted the ring up in the air in a celebratory manner, so everyone could see the wedding ring. I then saw Colin, his wife, Cheryl and Ed, making their way to the waters edge, as I made my way to shore. I could see the excitement and smiles on everyone’s faces as I exited the water. Colin and his wife were just so relieved and happy to have had the ring located and back on Colin’s finger, where it belongs. I was also smiling ear to ear. I can’t explain the joy I get of seeing the faces of my clients, when they get their item back.
I thanked Ed for helping me and we all headed back to our vehicles. As we were walking back to the vehicles, Colin’s wife mentioned that they will certainly have a story to tell everyone, when they get home. I’ve always said that every ring has a story and now the story has been added to, for Colin’s wedding ring. I also told Colin he should either get the ring resized, which can be very expensive or he could buy a silicone ring sizer, for less than $10.00 on Amazon or at Walmart. The silicone ring sizer id just clear silicone that you can wrap around a small section of the ring, so it fits you much better. I also told Colin that although the ring was in the area he thought it would be, I was out much further and deeper than I expected. I really was at the limit of going out any further and still be safe. If I hadn’t found his wedding ring today, I would be looking at the tide charts, for the next week, to see when the low tide would be further out. I would then come back and try again. Thankfully that didn’t happen and now all I wanted was to stop shivering and put the heat on in the vehicle. I needed to get warm.
So I would like to wish Colin and his wife a long and happy marriage. Congratulations to you both. I love my job of making smiles😀❤️🙏

 

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White Gold Wedding Ring Lost In The Ocean Park, Maine Surf, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Wednesday, July 2nd, as I was driving, I heard a G-Mail notification, on my phone.

“My husband lost his ring in Ocean Park. I don’t have phone service to call because we’re Canadian. Any chance you could come out?
Thanks,
Heather “

I pulled over and replied
“Hi Heather, Did he lose the ring in the Dry Sand or Water?”
Heather replied that her husband thinks he lost his wedding ring, in the water. They are staying on Temple Ave, in Ocean Park, Maine and had walked down to the beach.
I then messaged Heather and told her I would head straight home, get my equipment, and head straight to Ocean Park. We made plans to meet at the beach access path, at the bottom of Temple Ave., in approximately 25 minutes.
After retrieving my equipment, from home, I immediately headed to Ocean Park and I was met by both Heather and her husband Quinton, at the bottom of the Temple Ave, beach access path.
After introducing myself, I asked Quinton to run me through the events, preceding him losing his White Gold Wedding Ring. Quinton told me that once he and his family arrived at the beach, he applied lotion to himself and then walked down to the water, with his children. As the children were playing in the water, Quinton was also playing around with the children and they were in approximately 4’ of water, just prior to low tide. After playing in the water for a while, Quinton noticed his wedding ring, was no longer, on his finger, while in the 4’ of water. After visually searching the ocean floor , Quinton and Heather went back up to their chairs. Heather then put a Facebook posting, about her husband, losing his wedding ring and if anyone finds it, to please contact her. Almost immediately people were commenting on her post and telling her to call me. Heather told me the comments were extremely positive about me being able to help that she decided to contact me, via the email.
As I was walking down to the water I asked Quinton if he knew the area, he was in with his children and what time he noticed his ring missing. Thankfully he knew the exact area but he lost it around 10:00am and it was now close to 12:30am. Not only has the ring been in the ocean for 2 1/2 hours, the tide was now coming in and had been, for an hour and a half. When the ring was lost, it was lost approximately an hour, before low tide and he was further out, in 4’ of water. The water would be deeper now but I needed to try and find the ring. I fired up my detector and headed out into the incoming tide and waves. Quinton accompanied me out into the water, to get his bearings and put me in the right location, which was between the signs on BillowHouse Beachfront Boutique Inn and The Nautilus at Ocean Park Beach. Maybe 100’ to 150’ between the signs and who knows how far out, into the water, would be my grid search area. Once we were in the water we went out as far as we dared. The waves were very large and a few of them literally were over my head. I had to jump straight up to avoid being slammed by the waves. After 15-20 minutes of being battered by the waves, Quinton and I exited the water. There was no way I could get any further out, with the tide coming in. I told Quinton and Heather, I would be back, the next morning between 9:30am to 10:00am. This would give me 2, 2 1/2 hours of searching, by following the tide out. I would search the wet sand, in the event, the ring was moved by the large waves and pushed closer to shore. I didn’t really think this would be the case but I just needed to cover all bases and search the area.
So this morning, my wife Cheryl and I headed to Ocean Park, hoping the waves weren’t as big as yesterday. Cheryl brought along her beach chair to enjoy the day, after her daily 5 mile walk, as I intended to search for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. I brought two different metal detectors with me. A Minelab Manticore, with a 15” coil and a Minelab Excalibur, with a 10” coil. I planned to search the wet sand with the Manticore because of the large coil. I could cover the wet sand, fast and efficiently. The Excalibur is a waterproof diving metal detector and to me, is much easier to swing, in the water, waves, currents, etc.. The Manticore is also waterproof but I just feel much more comfortable with the Excalibur, in the water and definitely more comfortable with the Manticore, on the wet and dry sand. My plan would be to spend an hour or so, grid searching the wet sand, waiting for the tide to recede far enough out, that I could reach the area Quinton had been in, the previous day. Thankfully, the waves weren’t as big as yesterday but still big enough to knock you off your feet, if you weren’t paying attention and definitely big enough to just knock you around.
After an hour or so of grid searching the wet sand, I decided it was time to venture out into the water, hoping I wouldn’t get too battered around. Once in the water I would grid search the area by going straight out, as far as I deemed safe and would the take a half step, to my side and head back towards shore. I did this because I can keep a better grid search line by lining up with something on shore. I would just go out, come in, go out, come in and work my way from the Nautilus sign, to the Billow sign. As I made my way towards The Billow House. I saw Heather in waist deep water, with her children, as they caught the waves, with their boogie boards. I had covered a large portion, of the area, and with maybe 45 minutes of searching left, I told Heather it wasn’t looking good. Heather understood the difficulty of the search but kept hope alive. As I made my way to shore, I was about to turn around and head back out to the deeper waters, through those dang waves. I saw Cheryl standing at the water’s edge. I exited the water and updated her on the search. After finishing the update, with Cheryl, I re-entered the water and headed back out towards the deeper water. When I got to about knee deep or maybe a little deeper, I heard a nice loud low tone. This was absolutely the best sounding target, I had had all day. Unfortunately, The target was right where the waves were breaking. I didn’t dare to take my eyes off of the waves, while I tried to juggle my detector and scoop. I yelled over to Heather and asked her if she could hold my metal detector, while I tried to scoop up the target and keep an eye on the ever coming waves. Heather immediately came over and took hold of my detector. I kept the target, under my right foot, as I would brace for the waves. After a few waves went by, I saw an opening and I pushed the scoop into the sand, pulled up a full scoop of sand. I then shook the scoop in the water to wash the sand out. I could hear something in the scoop and when the sand was gone I looked into the scoop. A big smile broke out as I saw a big ring. I then tilted the scoop towards Heather to show her the ring. Her hand immediately went to her heart and she couldn’t believe it. She was so happy and she just kept thanking me. She also waved to Quinton, to come on down. I saw him running down to the water’s edge and Once he arrived, I showed him the ring and he gave me a big hug. He also kept thanking me and was just so overjoyed, at having his ring back. He told me he just felt naked without his wedding ring of 16 years. Now it’s back on his finger, where it belongs and he will sleep well tonight, knowing his ring is not on the ocean floor.
It’s truly a pleasure helping others out in their time of need. There are many, many rings, lost out in the water, that are never recovered. Thankfully, this isn’t one of them
I have the best job in the world.❤️🙏

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Tungsten Wedding Ring Lost In The Sand At Scarborough Beach State Park, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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Just before 2:30pm, I received a call from Greg, the Park Manager, at Scarborough Beach State Park, in The Town of Scarborough, Maine. Greg told me that a gentleman had lost his wedding ring, earlier in the day. The person who had lost the wedding ring would be calling me and giving me the location, he thinks the ring was lost in. Greg had an idea and told me that the ring was lost just before the high tide line. With it now being 2:30pm, and high tide around 5:00pm, there wasn’t much time to waste. I told Greg I would leave my house, in Saco, Maine right now and be there very shortly, depending on the traffic. If I arrived at 3:00pm, that would give me approximately 1 1/2 hours to search, without having to worry about the waves and incoming tide.

Once I loaded my equipment in my vehicle, The Ring Finders Mobile, I left for Scarborough Beach State Park . As I was driving in, my phone went off, notifying me that I had a voicemail. At the next red light, I read the voicemail and it was from Ryan and he is the person that had lost the wedding ring. Here is the transcript of the voicemail,

“Hi, My name is Ryan and I was at Scarborough Beach State Park and they had given me your information. I lost my Wedding Ring on the beach today and they tell me you have incredible luck finding rings, so I was hoping to touch base. If you have a second and I’d like to let you know it’s a Tungsten Ring. I think it was Lost around the high tide line maybe a little bit more toward the waterside between the two of the lifeguard stands, um around that area. I can give you more information, if you can call me back at 207- ***-****, Thank you very much. …”

I immediately called Ryan back and told him I was on my way and I was just coming up on Funtown Splashtown USA, on Rt 1, in Saco. My estimated time of arrival was about 20 minutes. Ryan told me he was on his way home but would turn around and meet me there. Ryan told me that he went to SBST, to go surfing, for the day and had taken his wedding ring off and placed it in the beach bag. He didn’t want to lose his ring, out in the ocean, as he surfed. Ryan told me he believes he lost his ring, when after finishing up surfing, for the day, he was walking on the wet sand, to leave the State Park. As he was walking, he stopped to get his sunglasses, out of the bag. As he pulled the towel out, to get the sunglasses, he believes his ring fell out of the bag. Unfortunately, Ryan didn’t realize he had lost his ring, until he got home. He immediately drove back to SBSP and notified the lifeguards and Greg. That is when Greg called me.
Once I arrived at SBSP, the Lifeguards called Greg. Greg had me walk down towards the further lifeguard stand and he would meet me, between the two stands. Once I met up with Greg, he told me the ring should be in the area from where we were, to just past the lifeguard stand. As we were talking, Ryan approached us and Ryan confirmed the location to search. The tide was coming in fast and the waves were rushing up over the search area. We didn’t have long to search and I was already thinking of returning, tonight, to search as the tide was receding, around 6:00pm. I told Ryan to walk out as far out towards the incoming water and walk to where he thinks he took the towel and sunglasses, out of the bag. I would follow his path and then turn around and head back in the other direction, if I didn’t find the ring.
As Ryan started walking, I was right behind him. The waves were rushing up over the detectors coil and I knew we didn’t have much time. About a minute into the search, I received a target. The target was showing up on my screen as a ferrous target, so I didn’t dig it. Most likely a piece of a lobster trap or a bottle cap. We started back up searching and 3-4 minutes later, I received another target. This time it was a non ferrous target but it didn’t seem right. My detectors screen was telling me it was 7-9 inches deep and for being long for just 2 or 3 hours, the ring should not be that deep. The 38 on my screen was definitely in the tungsten range, so I dug the target. I always dig non ferrous targets, because you just never know. After a scoop of sand didn’t contain the target,bI dug another scoop of sand and dumped it to the side. Still no target. A third scoop and the target was out of the hole. I ran my fingers through the pile of wet sand and felt a ring. As I was pulling it out, Ryan saw it and said, “That’s it. That’s the Ring. You’re a lifesaver, you are incredible. Thank you “ No problem, I love doing this.
Thankfully Ryan knew where he had pulled the contents, out of his beach bag and he was pretty spot on. This is why it’s important to meet the client, at the location, whenever possible. Trying to describe an area, over the phone makes it just a little more difficult because what the client described, may not be what I see. Another advantage is the time factor. As soon as Greg called, I left to go search. Being retired allows me to just get up and leave. This is a major reason why I didn’t become The Ring Finders of Maine while still working. I would not be able to just up and leave work, unless I was looking to be fired. As I always say Time Is Of The Essence and this search was no exception. The longer an item is missing, in a public location, the ocean, etc, the more difficult it will be to recover the ring. Thankfully Greg and Ryan contacted me extremely quickly and everything worked out.
I am so thankful and happy that Ryan has his Wedding Ring back on his finger. Seeing the smile on Ryan’s face is such a great feeling. I have the best job in the world ❤️🙏

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Tungsten Wedding 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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On Saturday morning, Saturday, June 14, 2025, my wife and I went up to Norway Maine, to visit her sister, who had surgery, earlier in the week. It was raining out and I didn’t think I would have any call outs, today. At approximately 10:25 am, I received the following text

“Hi! We lost a wedding ring on Old Orchard Beach, Maine and were wondering if we can get any help in finding it? Somewhere between The Brunswick and the OOB Pier. We will be checking for it in the morning- please let me know if you are available to assist at all!! Thanks!”

I replied

“Hi Rae, So sorry to hear this. I am in Norway, Maine, until late this afternoon. If you haven’t found it, I would be happy to help, once I get back.
Was it lost in the dry sand or wet sand/water?”

Rae replied

“Sounds great thank you so much!! We will definitely let you know if we find it. It was in the dry sand- thankfully it was also high tide so we don’t think it got washed away. I pinned our location when we noticed it was gone so it should be around this area”

With the text, she sent a photo, of the area to be searched.
She then sent me her husband’s name (Ben) and phone number.

Once I returned home, I gave Ben a call and told him I could be at the search area, around 4:00pm. I just needed to change clothes and get my equipment, into my vehicle. Ben told me he would meet me at The Brunswick and point out the area he thinks the ring would be in. I also conveyed a few concerns I had. 1) If the beach cleaning machine, had gone through the area, the wedding ring would most likely have been scooped up already. 2) Hopefully another detectorist hadn’t been through the area, as they may have found it already.
Once in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, parking was at an extreme premium. I ended up parking, down near Waves Motor Inn, close to a 1/2 mile from the search area and walked the beach, down to The Brunswick Old Orchard Beach.
I then met Ben, at The Brunswick and told him that the beach cleaning machine had not gone through the area. A definite positive for us. I then proceeded to ask him many questions, including why he thinks he lost his wedding ring, in this area and what metal is the ring made from? Ben told me that the ring was made of Tungsten and that he and his wife had been enjoying an evening at The Brunswick Nightclub . They left at approximately 12:30am, just before closing. They then walked down the beach a little bit and decided to take a swim. Ben took off his Shoes, Shirt, Watch and Wedding Ring, prior to going into the water. Ben had placed his watch and ring, inside one of his shoes and placed the shoes, on the beach. Once out of the water, Ben picked up his shirt and shoes, forgetting his ring and watch, we’re in the shoe. Before he knew it, the ring had fallen out, somewhere between where his shoes were, to where he now was, walking towards the street. Luckily he had the watch. He and his wife walked the area but could not find his ring, inside the extremely dark beach. They decided to come back and search, in the daylight, the next morning. Unfortunately, they still couldn’t find his ring and contacted me.
I told Ben that I would start, the grid search , at the top of the banking and grid search back and forth, working my way down towards the wet sand. After a couple of grid lines, I couldn’t go down any further, on the banking, because there were a group of people there. I told Ben I would go back up the banking and search that area, until the group of people left and if I didn’t find the ring, up in the dry sand, I would resume the search, down lower on the banking. Up on the dry sand, I was finding the usual pull tabs, foil and miscellaneous pieces of aluminum. I was also find some coins, but no wedding ring. I then saw the group of people had left and went back down, to where I had left off. As I was approaching the area, the group of people were in, I received a fantastic sound, from my metal detector and a VDI reading 30. I looked at Ben and told him that I really liked this target. I couldn’t guarantee it was his ring but it just sounded so good and definitely in the Tungsten range, with that VDI screening of 30. Ben came over closer to me, as I was searching the sand, with my pinpointer. I located the target with the pinpointer and as I searched the sand, with my fingers, I felt a ring. I pulled it out of the sand, looked at Ben and showed him the ring as I told him, “Congratulations, I got your ring”. Ben just looked at me with a big smile and said, “ Amazing, Thank you so much”. I had asked Ben earlier about how long has he and his wife been married. He told me a little under one year. Awesome, still newlyweds and I just recovered his wedding ring, just in time, for their first anniversary. I was smiling ear to ear myself. I absolutely love being able to provide this service to people who have lost very sentimental items. It’s such a great feeling and very addicting.
Here’s wishing Rae and Ben a very happy first anniversary, with many more to follow ❤️🙏🍾🥂💞

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White Gold Engagement Ring, Lost In The Sand At Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, Maine, Found With A Metal Detector

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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On Thursday morning June 12th, I was searching, for a lost heirloom necklace, in Ocean Park, Maine. As I searched, my phone kept going off with both phone calls and text messages. Unfortunately, I couldn’t even see the screen of my phone, because the sun was so bright and I could not see anything but a blank screen, I decided I would get to a shady area and see what was going on, but not until I found this lost necklace. Once I found the necklace, approximately half hour later, I walked up to the gazebo area, of Ocean Park Beach, next to the library and across the street from the Ocean Park Soda Fountain. I was waiting for my wife, Cheryl, to return and pick me up. As I sat on the bench, I noticed two missed calls, voice mails, a text message and a Facebook Messenger notification. The following is from the dictation, from the voicemail

““Hi, my name is Lauren. We are on the beach and one of our friends lost her engagement ring. We just wanted to inquire more about your services. If you can give me a call back at 781-XXX-XXXX, that would be great thank you.…”

Lauren’s text message and Facebook Messenger were the same.

“Hi! My friend lost her engagement ring on Gooserocks Beach Kennebunkport. We were wondering if you may be able to help us?”

With three different forms of communication, I knew someone was frantic and in desperate need of my Emergency Metal Detecting Services.
I immediately called Lauren back and she told me that a group of friends had gone to the beach and after being there for just a short period of time, one of the women noticed she no longer had her engagement ring on. Lauren told me that some of the women went to the vehicle and searched the vehicle for the ring, while the remaining group of friends searched around the circle of chairs they had set up, on the beach. Neither search was successful so some of the group, went back to the house and searched for the ring there. Again, no ring was found. So they went back to the beach and that is when Lauren contacted me and left the messages. I told Lauren that I would be happy to help and I could be there in approximately 45 minutes or so. Lauren told me that the group of friends were on the beach, at the Proctor Avenue beach entrance. I told her that I knew exactly where that was and would be there shortly.

Once Cheryl and I arrived at Goose Rocks Beach, Maine, we entered the beach, at Proctor Ave and we were immediately waved to by a group of 8 women. One of the women walked towards us and introduced herself as Meaghan. Meaghan said it is her engagement ring that was lost but has no idea when or where it came off. She then went through the events of the morning and they were the same as what Lauren had conveyed, to me. Meaghan had her ring on at the house and then at the beach, it was gone. Meaghan thought the most likely scenario was that the ring was in or just outside of the circle of chairs, beach bags, etc., that she had carried down to and placed on the beach. If the ring was not in this area, it could be somewhere in the 75 feet or so of beach, from the access path, to where they had settled in for the day. It could also be out along the street, where they had parked and taken all the beach essentials, down onto the beach. There is a strip of sand along that area of street and I would need to search that also, if the ring wasn’t found, on the beach. It was then mentioned by someone in the group that Meaghan is getting married in September and this is her Bachelorette Get Away. Ok, Take a deep breath, no pressure to find this ring. I really wanted to find this ring quickly. I could see the extreme anxiety on Meaghan’s face and I want to turn that anxiety into a big smile.

I told the group that I would perform a grid search, just outside the chairs, where they all thought the ring most likely was and is the location where everything was placed, when they first arrived at the beach. I just needed to move the metal chairs back a little further, so they wouldn’t interfere with my metal detector and the women all moved their chairs back. I asked Meaghan what the metal is, that the engagement ring is made out of. Meaghan then told me it is White Gold band. I then took out a White Gold Engagement Ring and threw it into the sand. I do this for two reasons, 1) I will get my metal detector setup , to my liking, with the metal I am looking for. 2) It will show the client how the metal detector sounds, when the coil goes over the ring. I have found that my clients enjoy seeing this and after seeing me do this and in a way, comforts them. When I threw the ring, into the sand, I saw a few eyes get really big and a few gasps, from the group. They must have thought I was crazy. I then made a few adjustments to my detector and swung the coil over the sand. When the coil went over the setup gold ring, it went off nice and loud and I could hear the excitement, from the group. I now started my grid search and the area was not very large, taking just 5 minutes or so. I did not find the ring, nor anything else, for that matter. No trash or coins. When I didn’t find it, we talked about grid searching the 75 or so feet, up to the access path. Something told me to search deeper, in the circle of chairs first. This was so I would’t have to come back and search this area, if the ring wasn’t found, going up to the access path. I took a step deeper, into where the chairs were and started searching. As I was approaching the northern end of the area, the detector started sounding off. A nice loud low tone and a reading of 07-08 on the VDI screen. I could see the excitement and anticipation on the faces of the women in the group, when they heard the sound being emitted, by my detector. I told them I couldn’t guarantee this signal was the ring but that I really liked the sound of it. I then took my pinpointer out and located the target, in the sand.I reached into the sand and came up empty. I felt around and felt something solid, looked down and picked a ring up with a diamond on it. I had found Meaghan’s engagement ring and when I held the ring up, for all to see, all kinds of screaming, yelling and celebrating took place. Meaghan came over, got her ring and gave me a nice big hug. I could see her happy tears and others in the group were also misty eyed. Everyone was just so happy for her. What started out a a wonderful Bachelorette get away, turned into a nightmare and then back to a happy place, for the group of friends. Now with the mood much lighter, I could hear some comments being made, from the group. “Hey Meaghan, you going to tell your mother? “Meaghan, DON’T tell your fiancé!” All in good fun and the laughing continued, now that her engagement was back on her finger. Later in the evening, I received some more messages from Lauren, “thank you sooo much Dennis!!! “ Lauren also sent me some photos and a video, that the group had taken. Lauren even put the video out on TikTok and told me it already had 5,000 views. It is always a great feeling when the client reaches back out to me, later and still thanking me. It’s such a great feeling and blessing to be able to help people out, in their time of need.
Cheryl and I would like to wish Meaghan a wonderful wedding this September and a long prosperous life, with her husband to be.💍❤️🍾🥂

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Passed Down Heirloom Gold Necklace with Lion Pendant, Lost In The Beach Sand of Ocean Park, Maine, Found With a Metal Detector.

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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Thursday morning, Cheryl and I saw our 8 year old granddaughter off to her last day of 2nd grade. Once the commotion settled down, Cheryl and I decided to go on a bike ride, from Saco, Maine, through Old Orchard Beach, Maine and into the Town of Scarborough, Maine, via the Eastern Trail. This is just over 13 miles round trip and usually takes approximately a little over an hour to 1 1/2 hours, depending how long we stop at the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, while we rehydrate. While at the Scarborough Marsh, I checked my phone and saw I had a voicemail, from someone, this is his message

“So I don’t know if this is Dennis or not but I lost my grandfather’s gold necklace at Ocean Park, Maine, on the beach yesterday, it was like 3 or 4 o’clock, so if you can get back to me and help me with that thank you, bye…”

I immediately called back and my call also went to Voicemail. I told him that I could absolutely help him out but I was in Scarborough, Maine and would be home in approximately 35 minutes and if he could call me then, I will go search, in Ocean Park Beach.
As I was exiting The Eastern Trail, just behind Thornton Academy, in Saco, my phone rang. I immediately stopped and answered. The person identified himself as Dakota. When I asked him to explain to me what had happened, he told me that he had taken his gold necklace off, while at the beach, in Ocean Park. He was going into the water and didn’t want to lose his Grandfather’s necklace, in the water, so he took it off and placed it on his sweatshirt, which was just laying on the sand, next to his beach chair. Once out of the water and back in his beach chair, Dakota forgot about the necklace, on his sweatshirt. As they were leaving for the day, Dakota picked up his chair and belongings, still not remembering the necklace. He and his friend, then left the beach.
The next morning, when he got up and was getting ready for his day, he noticed he wasn’t wearing the Gold Necklace that had been passed down to him, after his Grandfather passed away. Panic set in and Dakota rushed back to Ocean Park, from his home, in the City of Westbrook, Maine. Once in Ocean Park, Dakota visually searched but was unable to locate the necklace. He then drove to Conway, New Hampshire and retrieved his father’s metal detector, to search the area, once he returned to Ocean Park. Dakota told me that he knew nothing about his father’s metal detector and thats why he called me. I told Dakota that I could be in OP in approximately 35-40 minutes as I still had to ride the rest of the way home. WOW, an inherited necklace, passed down from his grandfather. I just had to find this.
Once home, I loaded my equipment into my vehicle and Cheryl and I headed to OP. Once we parked and were walking up Randall Ave, I saw someone with a metal detector walking up the beach access boardwalk and yelled out to him. Dakota held up and the three of us walked onto the beach, where Dakota had been yesterday. Dakota pointed out the area his chair and sweatshirt were and we came up with a plan, where I would grid search an area about 30’ X 75’. He was certain the necklace would be in this area. I asked Dakota if there were any pendants on the necklace. He told me there was a gold Lion Pendant, on the necklace.
I told Dakota that he was lucky that the beach cleaning machine hadn’t gone through the area this morning, otherwise, the necklace would almost certainly be gone forever. I also conveyed a concern I had about the necklace already being found, by a passerby or another detectorist. It is my experience, over the last 25 years that a necklace usually does not just disappear beneath the sand when dropped. There is just too much area mass. Last summer I three necklaces were recovered and THEY WERE ALL STILL PARTIALLY VISIBLE, THE NEXT DAY. The same with most bracelets and watches. They usually disappear, if they get stepped on but until then, anyone walking by could potentially see the necklace and just pick it up.
As I started my grid search, horizontally, to the beach, I was finding very much of anything. Maybe 8-10 pieces of foil, pull tabs and small pieces of other non ferrous metals. After finishing the area, Dakota thought the ring would be in, I asked him which beach access path he had exited the beach from. He told me the same path, we entered the beach from. I then told him I would grid search the area towards the Randall Ave access path. I went approximately 50’ and nothing. I turned around and headed back towards Dakota. At about 20’-25’ , I received my best tone of the search and a reading of 12-13, on my VDI screen. Definitely a non ferrous, low conductive metal and definitely in the gold range. I looked in the area of my coil but couldn’t see anything. I pulled out my pinpointer and found the target. I scooped a handful of sand away and still couldn’t see anything. I didn’t want to damage the necklace so I hadn’t brought my beach scoop. I then took another handful of sand and threw it to the side. That is when I saw a gold necklace. I looked over At Dakota and said “ I found your necklace”. For the first time since I had arrived, Dakota had a smile and came right over. I still couldn’t see the lion pendant but I wanted Dakota to see the necklace, the same way I saw it and didn’t want to disturb it. Dakota arrived, looking at the necklace and said “That’s it”. Dakota just looked so relieved and thanked me again for helping him out and finding his extremely sentimental necklace and pendant, that had belonged to his grandfather. It’s such a great feeling to be able to help people like Dakota. Thinking his grandfather’s necklace was gone forever and now almost 18 hours of being lost, he is walking off the beach with it, along with a smile on his face.

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“Do Not Duplicate Key” Lost In Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Found With A metal Detector and Returned To Owner

  • from Old Orchard Beach (Maine, United States)
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While out on a search, for some lost missing rings, I found a freshly dropped Key. Once home that night, I was looking at the key and noticed it was a “Do Not Duplicate” key and the locksmiths name and phone number was on the key, to call if found. The locksmiths name is Fortier’s Lock, and a Maine phone number is also on the key. After an internet search, I found Fortier’s Security Center, formerly Fortier’s Locksmith and is located in Lewiston, Maine,  approximately 50 minutes north of me. Now, Fortier’s Security Center is the oldest locksmith in Maine. It is family owned and has been in business since 1921. WOW, over 100 years old and still family owned.
So I called the number the next morning, Saturday, but they were closed until Monday. Monday rolled around and I called again. This time I was able to reach them and explained to her, what I had found. She told me they could locate the owner by the serial numbers, on the key. I gave her the serial numbers and she would call the owner. Perfect, I will be able to return the key, once the owner called me, after being contacted by Fortier’s Security Center. Wednesday came and I still hadn’t heard anything. I called Fortier’s Security Center and the employee told me they had left a message for the owner of the key because no one had answered their phone call. They would call the owner again and try to make contact. I received no call on Wednesday or Thursday.
So on Friday I decided to drive toLewiston, Maine and drop the key off myself, to Fortier’s Security Center. Cheryl and I were heading to Athens, Maine, for a funeral, on Friday and we would be driving right by Lewiston, on our way to Athens. We would just get off the Maine Turnpike and drop the key off to Fortier’s Center, on Lisbon Street. As luck would have it, Fortier’s Security Center is just off the turnpike exit and I would be able to get right back on the road. Once I arrived at the location, I went inside and was immediately approached by the owner. I showed him the key and explained the situation. He assured me that the owner would get the key back and they would call them again today. Thankfully the records show who the owner is and the owner will soon have their key back.  So, now I have returned the key and although it may not be as flashy as a diamond engagement ring being returned, it is a return of a key that may  unlock a safe deposit box that holds jewelry and gold coins. Well I can dream, can’t I.
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