“As the Antlers Turn”………19

From the Lost and Found Department.

In our travels, we have all had this conversation in one form or another …

Whether you’re alone or with your spouse or with the entire family, it’s time to check out of your hotel room (or in this case, one of our well appointed condominiums).

Mom looks at Dad, or any of the kids, and says “Do we have everything?  Did you check the dresser drawers?”

Dad replies “Yes we do and I did (?) check the drawers but I will check them again.  OK, let’s get out of here if we’re going to catch that flight back to Cleveland.”

The housekeepers arrive shortly after the room is empty and ready it for the next group of weary travelers.

In spite of the thorough efforts to pack all of  your personal items, these are some of the things the housekeepers will turn into the front desk after that family, or anyone for that matter, departs.  A favorite pillow, a cell phone, a teddy bear, a book, sunglasses, shoes, medication, business documents, a wallet or an entire suitcase.

Housekeeping doesn’t always find everything though……

Tom was working in unit 208 on a remodel project this summer and found a piece of jewelry.  The fireplace was being torn out and under the old gas line was a ring.  A class ring from Exeter High School in New Hampshire.  The date was “Class of 1963”, the initials were “DB”.

 

Tom took the time to search the web and found that Exeter H.S. is still in business and has been graduating students since the 1800’s. He called and gave the information to the Alumni Director, Sandy Parks, and it was all she needed. The ring belonged to David Blaisdell and she would take it from there.  Tom promised to forward the item.

We in turn wondered when did he visit the Antlers?  We could only speculate that it was between 1972 and 1995.  (That is quite the window).

I recently talked to Sandy Parks after the piece of jewelry was in her possession and she told me she was trying to get information on Mr. Blaisdell.  This is the next correspondence I received:

Hello Mr. Ziccardi,

 My name is Sheila Blaisdell Oliver. I just wanted to email to say THANK YOU!  To know that so many people went through so much trouble to find us, is very heartwarming. The ring could have been kept as a find but instead a chain of people have made sure that it was returned to family. This is not something that is seen very often any longer. Please thank every person involved in the recovery of this ring for us.

 I am not sure if Mrs. Parks has told you yet but my father passed away in June of 2008 and my mother passed away five months later. I wish I knew how the ring came to your facility but it would all be a guess. We moved from N.H.  to New Mexico in 1984 and stayed for eight years. My father worked with Raytheon Missile Systems and traveled quite extensively.

 Mrs. Parks said that you would like to have an article written up in regards to this. I would love to do this for you. I cannot tell you when my father was ever in that area but I can give you a brief history of him, his family and what this all means to us. If you would give me time I would love to do this. I will also send you some pictures of the ring (as soon as it arrives) and our family, my father etc.

 I am the oldest……hurts to say that! I have three younger brothers. One who has a son named after my father. The ring will go to him unless everybody has another vision for it.

 Again, thank you from all of us. Our parents died far too early and this ring coming back from the past is such a wonderful thing.

Thank you,

 Sheila Oliver

Thank you Shiela Blaisdell Oliver.

It’s obvious this story has not ended.  I will pass along the happy ending when it arrives.  Stay tuned.