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Man’s Celtic wedding band lost in Snake Pond, Sandwich, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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July 20, 2023

Leighton Harrington received the call, took the information of the loss and called for me to set up a team hunt on Friday evening. He had text information and I was to go right and he left. The first hour went by rapidly with no sign of the band. More texting and back in the water we went. This time concentrating on and more specific section of the swim area.

Again, no good results. It was time to call the hunt off, but first one more look at the text. A new text has been received. This one put Brandon to the left of the lifeguard chair, the chair was not to the left of Brandon as we had been working on.

I was confident we had search the water area and went in ankle deep and headed toward the dry sand. One signal in about two inches of water sounded very iffy. What was there to loose, whatever it was to be it would not be in the lake any longer. Low and behold it was the Celtic Wedding Band.

A call was made and a Saturday evening meeting was set for the return. A very grateful Sharon pulled into the beach parking lot with her son who had been playing ball with his dad when the ring was lost.

Brandon was unable to make the ring return, but passed his thanks on via Sharon and their son. It all made for an understanding of why we will go to all lengths to bring a happy ending with smiles to a very stressful situation.

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Father’s wedding band found in Cape Cod Bay, Brewster, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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July 9, 2023

Jessica was spending a beautiful afternoon in the calm, cool waters of Cape Cod Bay when her father’s wedding band slipped from her finger. In an effort to enhance her chance of finding the ring she went to a hardware store to rent a metal detector. An employee knew Jessica would need a waterproof metal detector to help find the ring, which the store did not have. The employee told her of TheRingFinders and that they would help. In turn a call for help was placed and I responded.

As daylight and the tide go, so goes the opportunity to detect in the varying depths of a specific area of a beach. Jessica and I exchanged a few texts and set up a meeting to take place at 8AM the next morning. Leighton Harrington, another Ring Finder, joined me for the search. Also in the search team were Jessica and her friend Max.

To make a 90 minute search a short story Max was “eye-balling” the sandy area while Leighton and I covered the submerged area. A few hopeful signals turn out to be objects other then the ring. As often happens the ring was found a good 100 feet from the initial area we were led to were Jesica thought the ring had slipped from her finger.

It was unbelievable but Max spotted just a quick flash of reflected early morning light in the sand. Low and behold it was a reflection from the ring. What a team effort in the search and return of a very sentimental ring. The return brought tears of joy from Jessica and many thanks for our response to her request for help came from both Jessica and Max. Smiles all around and multiple photos made for a very memorable and unique return.

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NO WAY, but the Right Way to find a ring on West Dennis Beach, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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June 25, 2023

The sun had come out, the temperature was on the rise and more people were enjoying Cape Cod’s beaches. That is until a ring is lost in the sand. That’s when TheRingFinders get called. Today Ryan lost his wedding band in the warm sand and could not find it. The Dennis Lifeguard offered up the information to contact someone that could help.

Leighton was called but with the urgency of finding a ring in the soft sand and the afternoon bridge traffic he called me with the request for help from Ryan. Leighton and I have teamed up for several years and usually both of us will respond to a call for help. Anyway, I arrived and was ready to search about 15 minutes after Leighton’s call.

I met Ryan on the beach, he pointed out the area he had been sitting in and the area he had moved his chair to. OK, this should be short and sweet and it was. I was going to go perpendicular to the water only to change my mind and walked parallel with the water’s edge. The first swing I had a great signal and yes it was the ring. I said I quit! Those watching me thought there may be something wrong. No it was OK as I showed Ryan’s wife the ring in the sand scoop before letting Ryan remove it and place it back on is finger.

All were very pleased with my success, from Ryan’s In-Laws (now there was no reason for them to be an Out-Law) to his wife and young daughter and Ryan himself, not to forget myself. As this return had to hold the speed record of less than 25 minutes from the time I was called to the time the ring was back were it should have stayed.

Now for a few grateful vacationers, it is off to the Whydah Museum and perhaps The Crazy Rooster for breakfast in the morning. A trip to Martha’s Vineyard would not be complete without indulging on an apple fritter at the Back Door Donut shop.

There is always so much to do on a vacation and today just added a new experience no one should have to endure. I am thankful that a call for help was made, a vacation was not spoiled, and that great vacation memories will be taken home from Cape Cod.

 

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Ring of Keys Found Wellfleet, Cape Cod, MA.

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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June 22, 2023

A bit of help in finding a set of lost keys came from a grandmother. Her granddaughter had taken ill while hiking the trails in the National Seashore area of Massachusetts. I was told the rings were “lost” somewhere along one of the trails between a parking lot and one of three ponds and perhaps by a rock where a rest stop had been made. This was going to be a long shot at best. But a challenge I was up to.

Six family members had been staying at my home and were leaving the next day. Rain was in the forecast and the daylight was waning. It just was not a good time for me to go on a search so I put off the search to the next day. I arrived at the parking lot and the ticket agent told me a set of keys had been found and were taken to the police station. Well, that was easy and off to pick up the keys.

Unfortunately the single key was not the large set of keys I was in search of. I returned to the parking lot and got ready for a hike, and off I went. I had never been on the path before and other than the assumption that the path lead to the pond I had little to go on. About a half mile later and best guesses on which fork in the path to take I was at the water’s edge. There was no sign of a rock or the keys I was sent to find.

I started hiking, going back up the trail, and searching the other side I saw what might have been a rock, but it was only a soaking wet towel. I decided to move the towel and to my surprise there were the keys. What unbelievable luck as I do not normally move personal items. This time as it was evident they had been there at least overnight and no other person was in sight. I picked up the keys, towel and a sweat shirt and headed back to the parking lot.

Two hours later I was sitting with grandmother Janet. We swapped stories about the loss and finding of the set of keys, store ID cards, good luck charm and a few other trinkets, all very meaningful to Janet’s granddaughter who was still in a hospital. The car had been towed from the parking lot to a family’s horse farm. But it was still locked. Had I not found the keys the family would have incur further charges to tow the car to the dealer, the cutting of two car keys, two house keys, and a couple of other keys. As with most returns, the monetary value of the items returned are not as much appreciated as the special meaning of something that could never be replaced. As always I was thrilled to be able to help.

L

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Family Ring Lost in South Yarmouth Yard, Found and Returned

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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June 4, 2023

Chris’s love is gardening and he spends most every day engaged with some aspect of his hobby. While finishing up the spring clean-up and some planting prior to mulching the garden beds his father’s wedding band slipped from his finger. More than likely it came off when his gardening gloves were removed to answer a phone call.

Over the next two days Chris spent hours looking for his ring. Some of the time he used a metal detector loaned to him. All his efforts were to no avail. At this point Heather, his daughter, contacted me for help. Of course I would help. I packed a few land detecting tools into my car and I was on my way. I parked in front of Chris’s home which was adorned with luscious green grass and many plants in the process of being set along walking paths and others into the many garden beds. I was glad I would not have to dig to retrieve the ring after finding its location. Locating the ring proved to be no easy task. The first two days of searching turned up one of three old pewter Christmas tree ornaments that went missing many years ago, a wheat cent and a few other odds and ends, but no ring.

With another day of searching in mind, I was getting ready when I received a phone call. A wedding band had been lost on a sandy ocean beach. There is always an urgency to recover a lost item from a public area, open to all. Not that Chris’s ring was not important, but his was on his own private property where it was very unlikely anyone else would find his ring apposed to a lost ring on a public beach. I made the decision to go to the beach where I was successful in finding and returning the beach band. I would go back to Chris’s another day.

The “another day” came and so did the bad beach weather, overcast sky, and light rain; nothing that would daunt my spirit to find Chris’s ring. I pulled up to the search area as Chris was on his way out to dinner. No problem, I knew where to search. The front yard was searched first, the leaf piles next, the cut off hydrangea followed. All proved they were not aiding in concealing the elusive ring. The brick and stone edging was last on my list before I would call an end to the day’s search.

Chris’s son and his wife stopped by to say hello before leaving to meet up with his family at a nearby restaurant. Another fifteen minutes passed with no signal from the ring. On my path from the far side of a tool shed I headed to a patio where Chris did transplanting of flowers. I went close by a brick paved area and at the very corner and I heard the sound I had been listening for. A close look at the ground and there was just a few glimmers of gold. I had found the ring. It was now time to capture the ring’s hiding place in my camera. My searching was over and it was time for the return.

Chris, I knew, was at the nearby restaurant and I had no problem gaining entrance and finding the family dining party. I normally would not interrupt a family gathering, but I knew everyone would enjoy being a party to the return of the ring. And so it was, a quick return one picture and several hand shakes and it was done. With the ring returned, my goal for the day was complete. I left knowing that the subject of dinner’s conversation would be of the ring and family, not the fabulous clam chowder. Unfortunately Heather was in Europe and was not present at the ring’s return. Had it not been for her effort, the ring may have stayed “lost” for many years.

I thank everyone for their part in making this happy ending to a lost family heirloom and more great memories of my hobby.

 

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150th Ring Return on Cape Cod – Found on Chatham Lighthouse Beach

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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June 2, 2023

Emmie was enjoying her second day vacationing on beautiful Cape Cod. The sun was bright, the wind was light, and the temperature just right for a perfect day on the beach. Wanting to keep her wedding band clean and safe while she applied sunscreen protection she removed the ring and placed it in her pant’s pocket. She removed the pants and placed them into the safety of a beach wagon while she sun bathed. When it came time to put the pants back on…the ring was not in the secure pocket or wagon.

A call to J&E Enterprise to rent a detector was placed. Eleanor of J&E advised Emmie it would be better to have an experienced detectorist do the search and gave Emmie my phone number. Within the hour I was on the beach and in a search mode. I detected the area parallel to the water and then perpendicular with not a signal from the ring. I then searched in a diagonal pattern. Again, no signal. Another diagonal perpendicular to the first was about 50% complete when I heard an iffy signal. A signal, the result caused by a beach chair in close proximity to another signal. I reduced my detector’s sensitivity and interpreted its visual display as a target of interest and decided to take a scoop. From under a piece of seaweed a brilliant glimmer could be seen as a ring of diamonds slipped into the scoop.

That was the end to my searching and the beginning of the ring return. I kept the ring in the scoop as I love to see the emotions of the owner as they remove it and place it back on the finger where it belongs. Emmie had gone to the car and was on her way back. That gave her “friends” and husband time to conjure up a plan for the return. I would be handing out cards to those around, all except one for Emmie. I had a special Thank You card for her. This return was a special moment for both of us. For Emmie as she was to be reunited with her wedding band of two years and for me because it was my 150th return since joining TheRingFinders in 2011. Emmie’s card had a Thank You note on the reverse side and a Carpe Diem (Seize the Day) token made by another metal detectorist, Jim Wirth. A more perfect return I could not have hoped for on my 150th return.

Many photos were taken, thanks were given and received. Of course a few stories of past returns kept everyone’s concepts of metal detecting intriguing. Everyone could now leave the beach in a joyful spirit. The beach goers headed off to a lobster feast and I to a peaceful ride home. I took the time to reminisce over the past 12 years of putting smiles on the face of so many and how fortunate I am to have done so. What a perfect way to live in vacation land and enjoy retirement. Thanks to all those who have trusted in me. Yes, it really has been my pleasure to help when one needed my expertise the most. Again; Thank You all.

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From Mombo Beach, Curacao to Denmark, an unexpected return!

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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November 15, 2022
My vacation in Curacao ended with an unexpected ring return. While detecting at Mombo Beach I found an initial ring, my second ring found on the first day in Vacation Land. No one around had lost or knew of anyone losing a ring. Five days later Leighton, my RingFinders traveling companion, was asked to help find a ring that was just lost. Two minutes later he had found and returned the ring. As it usually happens a happy commotion of joy was spread along the beach when a return is made. One of the onlookers, Jordan, was among the onlookers and when he had a chance, he asked Leighton if he had also found an initial ring, he had a picture of. Leighton said no but he took a look at the picture and would ask the other detectorist who was some distance down the beach.

Leighton’s description from the photo he viewed sounded like I had the ring I had found. A walk back to talk with Jordan took a few minutes. When together we were told the story of the ring’s loss and history which verified the ring’s ownership.

Jordan’s girlfriend, Anne, had been swimming when the ring slipped from her finger. The ring was her great-grandfather’s ring with two dates engraved on the inside of the ring and initials for DH on the face of the ring. It was her ring. But she would have to wait until January to wear it again. Anne had returned to The Netherlands and Jordan would not follow until his return in January.

Now back on Cape Cod, I have great memories of a wonderful vacation and an unusual and unexpected return.

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Diamond Earring and Wrap, Lost, Found and Returned – Bourne, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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October 22, 2021
Unfortunately it is that time of year again, one requiring the relocation of fallen leaves. Christine’s task for the beautiful day was to move the fallen leaves from the lawn and into the woods, Over the summer one tree branch grew over the path to the composting pile. Christine’s diamond earring snagged on the new branch and was dislodged from her ear. All her and her super sleuth son’s searching did not located the earring.

Help from the internet search brought up Leighton’s and my names in her local area. Leighton was in Connecticut so I headed out on a solo search with my small 4 inch coil and hand held pin-pointer. I used Christine’s matching earring to notch select only a response that the earring’s presence under the detector’s coil would produce. My first target was a piece of solder, the second a piece of tinfoil and the third was the two piece earring still together.

Pictures taken and stories exchanged completed the return as the earring was replaced in its normal resting place. On my way home I could not get my mind off the branch. I have to believe Christine will cut it back so does not overhang the path which I am sure will be used several more times this fall.\

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College Ring Lost 2 years ago, was Found and Returned – Dennis, MA

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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October 15, 2021
This return was one that I had not been called to help find. It was what detectorists call a “Natural Find”. I found the Bentley College ring in the shallow waters of a Cape Cod beach.

The ring had what I and others thought to be two dates 85 and 99, and owner’s entire name inscribed on it. Searching the internet I located a Facebook page listing several possible relatives and friends name and one address for Rhonda. These were starting points which none of the messages I sent to listed Facebook names prompted a reply. In desperation I went to the address that had no sign of life. However a neighbor, Jeff, was home and said he would put a picture of the ring I found and owner’s name in the area newsletter.

At home I E-mail the information to Jeff and with in two hours I had Rhonda’s E-mail address. In another hour or so an E-mail from Rhonda with her phone number was in my In Box. I called Rhonda and we arranged for the return to take place the next day. I was also told the story of how the ring was lost and the meaning of the two dates. The first year, 85, is not a year but the letters BS which stands for Bachelor of Science. Unfortunately Rhonda’s work trumped the ring’s return as she had to “go off Cape” before we could meet. Fortunately, Fran her husband, would stand-in and the return was made.

Some Natural Finds are impossible to return. Some returns are easier to complete and some have a learning lesson to be had. In this return I learned several tips and tricks in locating a person on social media. In this return a personal contact, Jeff, was the main factor in reuniting Rhonda with her ring.

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Jetties Beach Nantucket, Massachusetts – Ring Lost, Found, returned by TheRingFinders

  • from Cape Cod (Massachusetts, United States)
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Holly and her husband were on a quick get-away anniversary vacation to Nantucket for a bit of fun and sun. All started well then slight rain dampened the day but not the spirit for some beach fun. John was in the water in a flash with Holly following a more slowly. That would not be as much fun as was having which gave him the idea of a quick attack, on his wife and launching her into the air with a water landing, his idea of FUN! Yes he thought, but not so much as he felt for the ring on his left hand that had been there for 8 year, it was gone.

After a long search, a local person with a metal detector was asked to search for the ring, Many targets, but not ring were found. Gone forever John and Holly returned home. Holly just could not give up on a very sentimental item. After a bit of Googling TheRingFinders, my name came up. She thought it would not hurt to reach out without telling John. During the call I had to assure her the ring was still where it was lost and if anyone could find it I was a good choice. I also said to double the chances I should have another Ring Finder, Leighton Harrington, go on the search with me. Holly agreed. That set the wheels in motion. Timing of tides and ferry schedules and weather forecasts narrowed the date down to the25th. It turned out that was John’s birthday.

After a 5am meeting with Leighton for the 6am ferry ride, a walk to the ferry, the ride to the island another walk to the beach, a cup of coffee and snack on the way, we were on the beach. We put our gear together and headed for the water, marking the sand with lines to show the most likely area the missing ring would be in. As I put my feet into the water OOPS I forgot to take off my shorts. I took care of that shortcoming and back in the water Leighton had his first signal, an earring he wanted to show me. I took three steps toward Leighton and had a signal of my own. Bingo! The birthday boy’s ring was in my scoop, Happy Birthday John.

We has planned for up to 6 hours to search for the ring. We now had almost all that time to just enjoy the rest of the day, our main reason was in the pouch. Our return ferry ticket were for the 4pm sailing.
We made good use of the time detecting three beaches we had never been to before.

Back home arrangements for the ring’s return via the USPS was set. Another great day enjoying a wonderful hobby and making others smile was coming to a close. A peaceful night’s sleep without worries of a missing ring will be had by all, except John who will not know of the find until the surprise reuniting is completed by Holly. I only wish I could be there, I know it will be emotional and a day to remember.

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