Dog Tags…

As is always the case John Winter offered an insightful  post today, and it concerns finding US dog tags. Hope you will take a moment or two to read it, and while you are at it, add your email address to the home page, and  receive notice of all his updates and posts. You will never find them dull, and most, if not all, will inform and entertain.

Real Pioneers…

Recently Butch Holcombe, publisher of The American Digger magazine, mentioned my website, and also went on to say that  I was one of the true pioneers in the hobby. While I appreciate that kind comment, I must take umbrage to it. I am most certainly not a pioneer. I didn’t blaze any  trails, nor did I ever enter into unknown territories. I will accept the term “oldtimer” or “old fart”, but not pioneer.

Lots of good press this week…

Wanted to share some good press with you all. I will be adding it to the “Who We Are” link as well…..

Heard from Butch Holcombe publisher of American Digger magazine about a mention he got in a West coast write-up. Nice  read, nice plug for the pastime and Butch as well. Click here to read about Peggy Higgins, and the input Butch had  in the article. Thanks to both of you for showing the rest of the world who we really are.

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VINNIE CASABLANCA ROCKS

I was also pleased to find the following on the “Jersey Shore Beach and Surf Hunters” Facebook page about Vinnie Casablanca’s recovery of two rings, and the following letter of thanks….

The Seaside Heights Beach Patrol would like to thank Mr. Vincent Casablanca for his outstanding job in helping one of our beach patrons recover her wedding band and wedding ring on Sunday July, 22, 2012. It was a great moment on our beach this season.

On Sunday the 22nd, around 4p.m., a beach patron from the Bronx New York came up to the Lifeguard Headquarters crying hysterically. She explained to myself (Captain-Rob Connor) and Beach Patrol Chief Jay Boyd that she just lost her wedding ban and wedding ring on our Lincoln Avenue Beach. We put her in one of our 4 wheel vehicles and transported her to the scene. The beach was packed and by now everyone around her was trying to help her and look for them with no success.

Chief Jay Boyd immediately called over our radios to all lifeguards if anyone has a sighting of someone with a metal detector. The lifeguard on Hiering Ave radioed back that he has someone on his beach with one. Chief Boyd asked the lifeguard to talk to the person and see if he would be willing to help out and try to locate the missing items. Without hesitation Mr. Casablanca said “ABSOLUTELY”. The lifeguard explained that the missing rings were 1 mile away and he didn’t care and wanted to help. Lifeguards picked up Vincent and his grandson in a 4 wheel drive vehicle and transported them to the scene.

By now there were hundreds of beach goers watching the scene. Vincent came down to the scene on our Lincoln Avenue Beach, got out of vehicle and asked a couple  of questions to the woman and confidently said “I’m going to find them”. I (Captain Rob Connor) looked at him and thought “who is this guy”, thinking there was little chance in finding these rings. Vincent started working his metal detector around the scene and in under 5 minutes pulled out the wedding band, and there was a roar from the crowd, people were excited and the woman was thrilled. About a minute later Vincent pulled out the wedding ring and again there was a loud ovation from the crowd. The woman was excited and just hugged Vincent crying with joy. It was very emotional for everyone around the scene.

The Seaside Heights Beach Patrol again would like to congratulate and thank Mr. Casablanca for his finding of the rings from someone he never met. I’m sure this  woman will never forget what Vincent did for her that day!

THANK YOU, Robert Connor-SHBP Captain

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Thanks Vinnie. You did more in that one day to promote our pastime for those on the beach that day, then anyone I can remember of late.  Also have the feeling all the manufacturers love you too….

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DISAPPOINTMENT IN EARHEART EXPEDITION

As someone who has followed this story for sometime, and who has read just about everything in print concerning it, I was somewhat disappointed to hear about the results of  the recent expedition to find Amelia Earhart’s plane, and just maybe the answer to what happened to her so many years ago. I will continue to follow this effort however, and  enjoy the website of the Tighar Group.

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THE EXPECTED RESPONSE AND MORE OF THE SAME

Knew it would not be long before I heard back for Mr. Barford and Mr. Swift, and it was quick. They apparently don’t like getting criticized, and I suspect  that’s because they monitor the responses they receive on their sites. If you prove a point or outwit them, don’t expect to see you thoughts posted. Just the way they  run things. In any case here is their response, tired and old as it is….

Potable Antiquities and Collecting Issues

Heritage Journal Response

I would like to think that at some time in the future this hatred for those of us who own metal detectors will come to an end, but after 35 years of trying, I  have given up. Never mind that we have brought more historical and more dramatic recoveries to light….they will never see us as equals, or people who actually further  and justify their positions and/or salaries.

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DEFINITION

jeal·ous·y noun, plural jeal·ous·ies for 4.

1. jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another’s success or advantage itself.

2. mental uneasiness from suspicion or fear of rivalry, unfaithfulness, etc., as in love or aims.

3. vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.

4. a jealous feeling, disposition, state, or mood.

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Are we not able to see the forest for the trees?

I spend a lot of time perusing the internet, and especially those websites devoted to treasure hunting, and metal detecting. Often lots of good  information, and sometimes even a good laugh or two. Ultimately, however, everybody seems to be looking for that one detector, that one piece of equipment  or accessory that will surely make him the most successful treasure hunter alive, and his next find the best in the world.

Barfart & Swiftie…

Apparently the recent UK series, “Britain’s Secret Treasures”,  has gotten Paul Barford, and Nigel Swift in a shit fit, as evidenced by their recent postings.

Summertime in Texas…

Hmm…. July 23, 2012, North Texas. As is the norm, the temps are at or near 100 degrees, Fahrenheit. No breeze, stifling air, and lots of sweat. Miserable,  pissed off, and ready to fly off anywhere in the world, as long as it’s not Texas.

Bob Sickler, good friend, treasure hunter and author…

I got a surprise phone call today from Bob Sickler, my old friend from back East. We spent close to an hour chatting and getting caught up on many things, and after hanging up I felt good.

New Minelab pinpointer…

Amazed at the hype and build up about the new Minelab pinpointer….  

Baseball cards…

Nice to know that I am not the only one who blew a fortune in baseball cards. Got two emails from friends pretty much detailing the same mistake I made. They too  just gave their collections away to younger kids/relatives, etc., and now cry in their beer.

What I neglected to say in the original post was that I decided about ten years ago to try and get back to collecting baseball cards again. I studied Ebay, websites, and  all things baseball cards. My intention was to just go after Yankee cards (again), and see what I could do, and just maybe make a few bucks. Initially I had fun,  but then after about six months I had a helluva lot of cards, but nothing worth much of anything.

What really amazed me is how this very innocent, simple hobby of years ago had become big business. In the 50’s and 60’s there were three companies (that I can remember), and today there are a zillion of them, and they don’t just produce one yearly series, but many different ones.  I finally gave up with this attempt, and just chalked it up to progress (or how a kid’s fun pastime or hobby can be ruined forever). How sad….

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THE TREASURE HUNTER’S EXPRESS

Went out to the mailbox yesterday, and was delighted to find the latest edition of the “Treasure Hunter’s Express”, Paul Tainter’s quarterly newsletter. I  couldn’t wait to open it up and start reading. You’ve heard me mention Paul many times before, but if you are relatively new to this pastime you may not know  the name. I won’t bother to bore you with the details of why he is a legend….I will simply ask you to use the search screen above and type in his name, and you  might also check out the Photo set 15 on this site.

When I read Paul’s writings, thoughts, stories, tips and ideas, I get just as enthused as I did 30 years ago when I was reading similar things in “The Exanimo  Express”. Over the years Paul was part of a group that included Abe Lincoln, Richard Ray, Karl von Mueller, Charles Garrett, Glenn Carson, Michael Paul Henson, Roy Volker  and Jimmy Sierra, just to name a few. His Treasure Expo’s were legend, and a time where you could spend a few days, and come away with leads, stories, and memories to last a lifetime, not to mention  a hangover every now and then (thanks to “Boomers” bar).

Joan and Paul Tainter, recent photo….

In Paul’s latest newsletter he shared a story about “hobos”…a word that I hadn’t heard in a long while, but that sure rang a bell with me. When I was growing up  in Lambertville, New Jersey, our house pretty much abutted a railroad track, and we often had hobos ring our doorbell, asking for a “bite to eat”. My Mom, being the  old school Italian lady she was, always obliged, usually with a sandwich, a cup of coffee and a piece of pie (not bad for just a bite to eat). I can remember looking  out the window at the strangers, sitting on our porch enjoying their food, and was always fascinated with them, and what sort of lives they lived.

Not having thought much about this group of people in many years, Paul brought them back in focus, as he always does with a lot of his writings. Having been a close  friend of Karl von Mueller, this doesn’t surprise me. If there is one person out there today who is on the verge of finding a cache or long storied treasure I am sure  it’s Paul. His collection of books, writings, memoirs, maps, tales and diaries compare to none that I know of, and he is constantly adding notes to every story he’s  ever heard. Do not however expect to hear about it if Paul does find that big one (just a guess on my part).

If you interested in knowing more about the “Treasure Hunter’s Express” or for that matter, Paul himself, email him at   tretrove@yahoo.com or write him at Treasures Hunter’s Express, 335 North William Avenue, Fremont, Nebraska 68025.

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HAPPY BASTILLE DAY TO ALL MY FRENCH FRIENDS

Want to take this moment to wish all my many French friends and TH’ers, Happy Bastille Day! Having spent time in your homes, and having shared those fabulous Sunday meals with your family, I can only imagine how you celebrate this very special day. Hopefully one day I can, but knowing you like I do, I doubt that I could keep up with  you all. I would, however, like the opportunity to try! Viva la France!!

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MORE NEWS

Thanks, as usual to Regton, ltd. for the following news update…..

13 Year Old Boy Finds 2lb Meteorite

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The treasure I gave away…

When I read this  article in my local paper, it brought back memories of what might have been. Memories that I think a lot of you might have as well….