Those of you who paid close attention to last month's newsletter may recall why it was not edited. My wife was at her job as a nurse when she started having a problem. Her arm would shake and she couldn't control it. One of the trauma doctors had her transported to the ER post- haste! After several tests and scans they turned up just one thing, a small spot on her lung. The good news is we now have all the answers to our questions. The uncontrolled shaking was a side effect to the new migraine headache medicine she had just started taking. The medicine is gone now but the headaches are back. As for the spot on the lung, they found out it is nothing to worry about!

    For all of this good news I want to thank God for His mercy, and all who may have prayed for us.

    Now, because Deb didn't edit the newsletter, she did not know that I had mentioned her situation. Each month I send out a few extra newsletters to close family and friends at my expense. One of those families is Deb's parents. You guessed it, I'd bet! When they read the news of their daughter, it scared the dickens out of them and Deb's mother was on the phone in a flash.

    When Deb got off the phone, I knew I was in hot water! I don't know if this will help me get the newsletter edited or not. Thanks to each of you for your concern.

            Last month we reported on our club's board members desire to create some type of educational and informational flyer for our club and the hobby in general. The club members seemed in agreement at the last meeting. You know, I wish all of my customers were members of a good club, but for many it is just not possible.

        That got me thinking. I would say that out of 100% of my customers, less than 15% are affiliated with a treasure hunting club. That is why I try my best to teach each of them the treasure hunter's code of ethics.

         But just think, many detector dealers have no real interest in the hobby or the treasure hunter, only their money. The vast majority of detectors are sold by mail order and department stores who give zero training. In this day-and-age this is downright scary!

       Dan Hill is a very good friend of mine and has been for a long, long time. Back when my daughter was about 5 years old, we learned that she needed open heart surgery. Dan and his family prayed hard for her. Years later, my daughter has had other trials and tribulations, and Dan was always interested in how everything was going and he kept her in his prayers.

       Dan loves water hunting and he really goes that extra mile to get into untouched territory. A few years back Dan purchased a Keene Hydro Air from my shop. The Hydro Air is the perfect tool for underwater metal detecting. It actually is a surface air supply for divers. With the Hydro Air you never have to recharge air tanks and you eliminate the heavy metal tanks on your back that catch the current and have a negative effect on your metal detector. When Keene introduced the battery powered Hydro Air, 90% of the surface air supplies (a.k.a.Hookah) they built were gas powered.

      It didn't take long for those production figures to reverse, and it is no wonder why. With the battery powered system you did away with the smelly flammable liquids like gas and oil. Also, you did away with the noise and the deadly exhaust fumes. The system that Dan has will take a single diver down to 75 feet or two divers to 35 feet.

      Dan was enjoying a dive in historic Gull Lake where he was scanning the lake bottom at a depth of about 8 feet. After getting a good signal with his Minelab Excalibur, he fanned the sand with his hand and he spotted what he loves to see-- a gold ring!

      The Hydro Air gives you lots of down-time on a single charge. At this shallow depth, an easy-breathing, experienced diver could stay down for nearly all day! When Dan got back to shore he emptied his goodie bag to examine all of his newly found treasures. Of course, the one that stood out was that gold class ring.

      The top, faceted part of the ring read "K.H.S." for Kalamazoo High School and, below that, was the number "24" and, inside the ring, were the initials "F.T." Dan made a trip to the Kalamazoo library and started looking through their old year books.

       Dan found that, in the graduating class of 1924, there was only one girl with those initials, Frances Tubbs. One of the librarians figured that if someone who graduated in 1924 were alive today, that person would be around 102 years old. It was doubtful that she would still be alive, but she probably had family in the area. What if she had married? Dan only had her maiden name . . where to go from there?

       The librarian suggested that Dan try contacting News Channel 3 for help. Dan thanked the librarian for her help and went on his way. Dan couldn't see how Channel 3 News could help, so he started trying to think of his next move in returning the ring.

       Dan finally came to a dead end and the Frances Tubb's ring was about to go into Dan's cold case files.

      "Oh, what could it harm," Dan thought, then he made the call to News 3.

       They were very interested in Dan's story and sent a news reporter and camera man out to cover it. They filmed at the Kalamazoo Library and on location at Gull Lake. Dan told me that they filmed for three hours and he told them, on camera, about my shop, hoping that I would get some business.

       I knew that part of the video would end up on the cutting room floor. They ran the first story on the news show "Live at Five," and again on the 6:00 Evening News.

      I knew that I was not going to be able to see either one. At the end of the broadcast, they encouraged anyone who may have known this woman or any of her family to call the news station. By the next day they had received nearly a hundred calls! Frances Tubbs went on to get married and raise a wonderful family. And by the way, Frances never did lose her ring. Her daughter, now a senior citizen, says she always remembered her mother wearing her treasured class ring. Before passing away in the 1980's Frances gave her beloved class ring to her youngest granddaughter, Jennifer. Jennifer was only 13 years old at the time she received this treasured heirloom and when she was15 she lost it.

      Today Jennifer is 38 years old and she was so happy to get her grandmother's ring back. In the interview, she said that getting the ring back was very uplifting because she is losing her father right now.

       If you would like to view this story go to: http://www.wwmt.com/video/ and scroll through the videos until you find one titled "Ring Reunion," then click the "play" tab.

        I have several friends who are members of the Michigan Treasure Hunters Club, which meets in Livionia, MI. One of the first guys I got to know is Ross Soderberg, who has served as president and club webmaster. Ross has sent many of their club members my way over the years and one of them was Tom Weaver. Tom and I became good friends and he became one of my best promoters. I want you to understand that I never asked these guys to send me customers. It was all done out of our friendship.

        It never fails; each year I lose a water hunting friend to drowning and it happened again. On Saturday, July 5th, Tom Weaver drowned in the Saginaw Bay at the Caseville County Park Beach. Authorities said that about 100 people formed a human chain to walk through the water, discovering Tom in about four feet of water 160 yards from shore.

        Tom leaves behind two young children, Megan and Zack and his fiancée, Peggy Collins. The three of them were at the beach that day and Peggy felt that Tom was out a bit too far.

        Ross and Tom were hunting buddies. As much as Tom and I talked on the phone, whenever he called he would say, "Hi, Al this is Tom Weaver, Ross's friend."

        There are certain people whom, when they talk, you can hear them smile . . that was Tom. Tom loved people and he always seemed to put others ahead of himself-- at least that was the Tom I knew.

        A few times Tom was down in Florida for a winter vacation and, when he found something neat, he would called me right from the beach. When Tom was coming across the state to get something, he would first checked with his buddies to see if they needed anything from Al's. Whenever I would shipped him anything, he always asked me to send along a bunch of business cards.

        The night before this tragedy happened, the temperature dropped into the 30's and the water was very cold. Tom usually wore a 3-mill shorty dive suit. He had been in the water for over 2 hours prior to his drowning. Perhaps hypothermia played a role here. You just need to be really careful out there. All the gold rings in the world won't buy Tom back.

        Tom was a member of the Michigan Treasure Hunters, the Gold Prospectors and a Veteran of the United States Marine Corp, serving during 1992-97. He was the Captain of Team USA Marine Golf Team and was the Marine Golf Champion in 1996.

Thomas E. Weaver

May 10th, 1969 - July 5th, 2008

Last Meeting

       The last meeting was a real sell out! We have been averaging nearly 80 people at the meetings! In the last newsletter, the board members asked me to encourage you to bring goodies for the half time break. Well, you listened and we were all blessed for it! We had cake, cookies, meat & cheese trays and veggie trays.

       I have one question for you. Who made that awesome veggie pizza? I never had that before... it was great! Because I cannot have sugar, I am always glad to find something like that. I rushed home and told my wife about your pizza and she replied, "Oh, I know. They are very good. I have a recipe for one."

       So, I'm thinking, "what are we waiting for?"

Thanks to each of you who brought in all of the goodies and the drinks! Keep up the good work!

      Before I get started, I want to mention that, by the time you get this, Linda Randolph will have had her surgery. She goes in for the third attempt at replacing her knee on July 11th. Each time they replaced her knee, she developed a staph infection. For the last two months she has been without a knee! Just think of it! This has been a real trial for both Linda and Al.

      It has been a trial for someone else as well. That special friend is Linda Sherwood. These two Lindas have been the backbone of our Find of the Month program. With Linda Randolph laid up and the club going through a huge growth spurt, Linda Sherwood has been doing way more than can or should be expected.

      Besides all of the work she does on the scene, she also takes all of the slips home and types them and sends them to me in the form of e-mail. This make the hardest part of doing the newsletter much easier! Linda told me that the situation at the find's table was almost more than she could handle. I know that Mike is trying to find Linda a regular helper. In the meantime, I was asked to mention a couple things. After you fill out your Find of the Month slip, drop off your item, then move on. Don't hang around the table picking up things, etc. It makes Linda's job so much harder.

JEWELRY

1. 14K Gold Plate Antique Ring                                                                    By: Mike Walker

2.10K Ring Diamonds Black Onyx                                                               By: Sally Osborne

3. 14 K Gold Ring                                                                                         By: Ron Osborne

4. Woman's Bracelet                                                                                      By: RodCockerel

5. Sterling "Polar Bear" Ring                                                                        By: Steve Jellison

6. Sterling Silver Friendship Ring                                                                        By: Diver Deb

7. 2000 Notre Dame Class Ring                                                              By: John Assenmacher

8. Silver & Opal Antique Ring                                                                          By: Jack Barnes

9. 14 K Necklace w/12K Cross                                                                         By: John Dudley

10. Gold Ring                                                                                                  By: Leslie Beilby

11, Friendship Ring w/Friends                                                                             By: Janet Gray

12. Heart Pin                                                                                                 By: Thomas Beilby

13. Silver Earring                                                                                                By: Ron Jenner

John Dudley was our winner with a beautiful gold cross and chain! If you haven't seen it, you can find it on the June slide show on the club website. It is very nice indeed! Good job, John!

1. 1886 Indian Cent                                                                                       By: Steve Jellison

2. 1901 Indian Head Cent                                                                               By: Mike Walker

3. 1957 Silver Dime                                                                                       By: Sally Osborne

4. 1912 "V" Nickel                                                                                         By: Tom Herman

5. 1870 Seated Dime                                                                                         By: Bruce Wood

6. 1951 Roosevelt Dime                                                                                 By: Billy E. Knapp

7. 1866 Indian Head Cent                                                                                By: Brian Norgan

8. 1854 Half Dime                                                                                             By: Jack Barnes

9. 2 Grosze 2000 Brass Poland Coin                                                                     By: Diver Deb

10. 1865 2-Cent Piece                                                                                 By: Nancy Lipscomb

11, 1866-1882 Shield Nickel                                                                          By: Jerry Lipscomb

Jack Barnes was our winner with a very nice 1854 U.S. Half Dime! What a great find, Jack!

FOB, BADGE, TOKEN

1. 50 cent Token Recreation                                                                              By: Sally Osborne

2. Palmolive Soap Token                                                                                    By: Tom Herman

3. 1916 Portage Dog Tag                                                                                     By: Mike Walker

4. Car Wash Token                                                                                             By: Brian Norgan

5. 1863 New York Token                                                                                       By: Jack Barnes

6. Token Penny Signal (?)                                                                                   By: Ron Osborne

7. Baldy's Poolroom 5 Cent Token                                                                         By: Rick Burch

Jack Barnes was our winner again!The way I recall it, Jack found an old school house that had be converted into a home! Can you believe it, this one had never been hunted! Then Jack got permission to hunt a vacant lot across the street and there he found a large modern day cache! Some guys have all the luck!

1. Copper Ring for Oil Lamp                                                                              By: Mike Walker

2. Cub Scout Neckerchief Slide                                                                         By: Brian Matecun

3. 1880's Ladies Victorian Button                                                                       By: Steve Jellison

4. 1960's Tootsie Toy MG Car                                                                                  By: Diver Deb

5. Perfume Bottle                                                                                                 By: Leslie Beilby

6. Pokemon Metal Plate                                                                                   By: Billy E. Knapp

7. Civil War Union Service Button                                                                         By: Ron Jenner

Ron Jenner was the winner with a very nice Civil War Union Army service button. Nice find, Ron. I believe Ron was one of those guys who shelled out the big bucks to go on one of those national relic hunts, then came back home to Michigan to find something.

                  Garrison Keillor starts out his signature monologue, "The News From Lake Wobegon," like this.

              "Well, it's been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, my home town, out on the edge of the prairie."

          I thought about those lines Wednesday, July the 2nd, as I was headed from Kalamazoo to Plainwell. I take Wednesdays off, but sometimes I run into the shop to check on my mail. If my mailman has more mail than will fit into my box, he leaves packages on the ground in front of my door. There have been a few times that I have come in on Thursday morning to find a bundle of 12 Western & Eastern Treasure mags completely waterlogged.

          I wasn't all that far from home when I started to run into some heavy rain. The Weather Channel suggested that the bad storms were going to be north of us in the Grand Rapids area. Well, Plainwell is 45 miles south of G.R. so I wasn't worried about making the trip.

         I don't usually take the freeway; I like the back roads. That was almost a deadly choice on this occasion. My little car easily gets 35 miles per gallon and it is not even a hybrid. There are many things that the auto manufacturers have to consider when designing a car with great fuel mileage-- one thing is, keep it light weight.

          I was half way to my shop when the sky turned black as coal and my wipers, even on high speed, were no match for the rain. I had to slow to a crawl because I could barely see beyond the car's hood. The lightning was flashing on all sides and my light weight car was really rocking badly from the powerful wind! That is when it occurred to me that I wasn't driving in a thunderstorm-- I was driving in a thundercloud!

        I started to wonder if I should go back or head on to the store. By the time those thoughts entered my mind, I was much closer to Plainwell, so I pushed on.

        From Kalamazoo to Plainwell there are three practical routes. The most practical was blocked by a fallen tree, but with my small car I had enough room to squeak by on the far shoulder.

        I went a half mile further while the storm was getting worse by the second! That is when I found a giant tree across the road and this one I could not get around. I tried the other two roads and they were also blocked by fallen trees. I had no choice but try and get back home. By now I was afraid of being boxed in by downed trees or worse yet having one fall on the car.

        It seemed to take forever, but finally I made it home. As I pulled into my drive, the winds had lessened in strength. I looked back to the north at the sky over Plainwell and the lightning show was amazing. The next day as I drove into work the road crews had the roads cleared but the trees were still at the roadside.

        Plainwell looked like a tornado had hit it! Many of the beautiful Civil War era trees had been destroyed. Power lines were down everywhere. When I got to the shop I saw the Burger King crew loading all of their refrigerated food into a refrigerated semi trailer. Our power was out for days and until then I didn't realize how much we are dependent on it.

       After the power came back on I wanted to get something to eat. McDonald stayed open through the power outage because they have a generator. The problem with that choice was the mile long waiting line. Meijer's gas station was always open as well because they also have a generator and they usually have hot dogs.

      By now, all of the stations are selling gas and they were all priced at $4.07. That is all except for Meijers, their gas was $4.19. Now get this, there were cars at every pump and some more waiting. This scene boggled my mind!

      As I placed my hot dog and iced tea on the counter the clerk asked me if I was buying gas. I told her no, and I added, if I needed gas, saving 12 cents per-gallon is worth going across the street for. Even if I had to push my car! Then I asked her why their price was so much higher. Her answer was very disturbing, she said, "Because we were the only station open."

SEE YOU AT THE MEETING JULY 15, MEETING STARTS AT 7:00 SHARP