We started the hunt across the road and spread out on both sides of the driveway entrance to the field. There were a few finds made, such as buttons, relics and a couple of Indian head pennies. All in all it was easy hunting except for some areas of wet ground. Everyone continued hunting until about 11:45 when we met at our vehicles and left for Crisfield's famous Circle Inn.

When we got there, we all had a place to sit, though not at one big table. As usual, the service was prompt and the food was good and we were ready to roll in less than an hour.

Our afternoon hunt was in the two fields adjacent to the 1700's mansion that the landowners live in. Finds this time were pretty neat: a large British penny, some silver, wheat pennies and a few scarce Indian heads. Later during the hunt, the few hunters that were left tried to find a valuable ring lost by the owner's wife near the back yard but this was to no avail.

The day was great for hunting and I enjoyed the company of all of us just having a good time. The hunt wasn't as productive as I had hoped but the owner has a friend who owns land where an old town used to be. He'll check for permission and we might be able to go there sometime. This is yet another reason why it's always a good idea to remain in the good graces of a landowner. We stayed until 4:15 or so and then called it a day and a fun day it was.

Fields are scarce now. What was once a cover crop has now grown up to our knees. Farmers have started planting other areas and it's becoming harder and harder for us to find club sites. However, I'll keep looking and will continue to have monthly hunts though sometimes we might have to change the scheduled date either earlier or later depending on field conditions. We're at the mercy of the farmers now, so to speak, and with few exceptions, most don't want a crowd our size on their fields once they've drilled corn. This might mean that a field is off-limits until the crop is harvested and the corn stalks taken low to the ground, almost a year in some cases.

Bill Winkler over at Treasure Quest in Ocean View tells me that the beaches are slim pickings right now. Finds from the ones that can normally be relied upon to yield up jewelry and modern coins are also very scarce. The areas around the Indian River Inlet where shipwreck coins come ashore have been dry as well. Bill feels that we need a good Nor'easter to kick up the water a bit and bring good coins to land where we can find them.

Wasn't last month's meeting fun? Kudos to Craig East for a job well done. His auctioneering netted us over $300! Thanks also to the members for their generosity in bringing such neat items for us to sell. I was glad to see that Doug made it to the auction, though he's experiencing a few health problems. It was also great to see John Johnson back with us after his lengthy stay in the hospital. I was really glad to see former member, club president and old friend Andy Nunez at the meeting and I hope he'll join us again to venture out on a weekend adventure sometime soon.

One of our fellow clubs on Delmarva, the Eastern Shore Treasure Club, is having a detector raffle. The cost is $10 a ticket or three for $25. The winner will be drawn in December. See Marty for more info or to buy tickets.

Don't forget that you can always advertise in the newsletter if you've got something you want to sell. It only costs $1. You can list up to three items and the ads run for two months. Contact Julie if interested.

That's it for the hunt report this month. Don't forget to be at our next meeting on the 13th and hopefully at our next journey into the past on the following Saturday. See you then.

Bill Draper,
President
(and Huntmaster)

The last meeting of the SHORE SEEKERS Artifact and Recovery Club was held on Monday, April 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mt. Hermon UMC Community Hall.

The winner of the 1989 uncirculated coin set was Keith Kalmbach.

Additional raffle winners were Andy Nunez and Chris Scholl. Thanks to Barbara and Warren for donating magazines.

Guests in attendance were George Heath, Chris Scholl and former member and club president Andy Nunez.

CORRESPONDENCE

Extra copies of THE SEEKER were available.

OLD BUSINESS

Minutes were approved as distributed.

The treasurer gave her report.

The member's only hunt has been postponed until the fall. More details will follow.

NEW BUSINESS

Everyone enjoyed seeing current and former members Doug Wilkerson, John Johnson and Andy Nunez. Both Doug and John are doing much better after recent health problems and Andy is interested in returning to the hobby. We hope to see all three of these early Shore Seeker members in the coming months.

Marty Pratt gave details on a raffle that the Eastern Shore Treasure Club is holding. The club will be raffling a Deus machine (French brand of detector) in December. There will be a limited number of tickets sold at a cost of $10 per ticket or 3 for $25. First prize will be the Deus detector or $1000, second prize is $250 and third prize is $150. Part of the proceeds from the event will also go to charity. Please contact Marty to purchase tickets or to get additional details.

CLUB HUNT

We don't have a site for the April club hunt yet. Please watch your e-mail for future details.

The winner of the 50/50 raffle was Julie Pryor.

After the business meeting was over, we held a super-profitable auction. Thanks to everyone for making it such a big success.

Julie Pryor,
Secretary

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