Groveland Twp.- For more than 30 years, township resident Al Jawors has scoured lake beds, beaches and yards around abandoned homes in search of lost treasures.
From diamond rings to old coins to earrings, using a variety of metal detectors, Jawors uncovers some rather unique finds’some historical and sometimes of significant personal value to the individuals.
Such was the case for Hadley resident Ashlee Swartz, 20, who had saved up about $400 to purchase a class ring after graduating from Pontiac Northern High School in 2005.
‘I lost my first class ring at a friend’s house when I took it off to wash my hands,? said Swartz. ‘So I saved up and purchased a second ring a few months later.?
In mid-June, Swartz was playing volleyball in about four-feet of water with some friends at a Hadley Recreation Area beach when her second class ring slipped off her finger.
‘We tried to go underwater and find it, but you just can’t see down there. We looked around for about a half-hour but there was just no way we’d see it. I was just sick and ready to order a third ring.?
The same beach where Swartz lost her class ring just happened to be an area Jawors frequents with his metal detector.
‘I go out there in the water early in morning when the weather is really warm,? said Jawors.
‘The sun was just coming up when I found the class ring. The ring had several clues, including a soccer ball and a second degree black belt insignia. Ashlee’s name was also engraved inside.?
Jawors, who attempts to return his finds if possible, contacted the Pontiac Northern Alumni Association who tracked down the Swartz family.
Last week the ring was handed back to Swartz at The Citizen.
‘I can’t believe I lost two class rings,? said Swartz. ‘I really missed it, I wore that ring everywhere.?
‘It means a lot to me. You can see the tan line on my finger. It was nice he gave the ring back to me? most people would not be that honest.?