A Penny And Some Thoughts...

Today we found 1 cent in change and 13 bottles and cans.

If you’ve ever been in the Northeast after a significant snowstorm, you realize pretty quickly just how isolated you can become. Winter has a way of doing that; taking what was a vibrant, active community and leaving it quiet, lifeless and still. It’s nature taking back what was hers, actually, if only for a little while, and leaving all of those caught up in it with a new found respect—a subtle reminder of just how fragile and inadequate we are when dealing with nature and its fury. Here’s a little piece of poetry to keep you warm tonight.

Six-Above

At first I think of us as Astronauts,
Each of us stepping out of our capsule
Onto to a frozen world—
We are alone here,
Three strangers among a field of white,
The cosmic equivalent of a dead planet—
But the cold brings me back,
And the whip of wind desperate to reclaim
The footprints of our travels,
Erasing our existence in
Its slow, steady drift of snow—
The ghostly impressions,
The slumbering streets,
Reshaping themselves one flake at a time.


Now For The Money Report – We only found one lonely penny in our travels today. I found while at Hannaford’s picking up a couple of grocery items. It was on the floor near one of the checkout counters. Michele’s endeavors at work, both of our runs and the evening walk all came up empty.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 12.75
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 326.74

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 15,024 – 751.20
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 25,046 – 1,252.30

A Birdhouse In The Hand!

Today we found 16 cents in change and 25 bottles and cans.

Well, it was back to the colder weather today and it looks like winter is finally setting in. We really can’t complain though as we had a warm and delightful first half of January. That saved us some dollars on the heating bill and made for great days outdoors. Now we just need to patient while the snow and cold have their way. The countdown to Spring is on!

On The Money Front – We only found a total of 3 coins today but 2 of them were silver. Michele and Lexi found a nickel while out on their morning walk. It was located in the rite aid parking lot. She also picked up a really beat-up dime on Sherburne during her run to add to the total. The final coin was found at the car wash. It was on the ground next to one of the automatic washes and saved us being shutout. In addition, we did come up with a fair number of bottles and cans and one interesting little ornament (see picture).

Over and Out!

Money totals for 2007 – 12.74
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 326.73

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 15,011 – 750.55
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 25,033 – 1,251.65

A Brief Warm Up...

Today we found 27 cents in change and 38 bottles and cans.

When the sun came out the warm up began, chasing away the brutal cold of the last couple of days. It also helped with coin finding, too. Michele found a penny during her morning walk with Lexi to get things rolling. It was none too warm then but they made the best of it, snagging a lone on Pleasant Street. During her run she collected a dime, which was found on Mill as well. The rest of the total was found on the evening walk. First, we found 11 cents in the rite aid parking lot (1 dime and 1 penny). Then, at the car wash we came up with 5 salty pennies, all of which were found in and around the vacuum areas on the ground.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 12.58
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 326.57

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,986 – 749.30
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 25,008 – 1,250.40

Back In The Win Column!

Today we found 3 cents in change and 22 bottles and cans.

Some much-needed relief came in the way of slightly warmer temperatures today. Still, it was very slow to warm up, and the overcast skies gave it that raw, go-right-through-you feel in the air. At least we’ve made it past the worst of the cold for now.

Money Update – All of our coin finds on Saturday came via the evening walk and all of them came from the car wash. We found the 3 pennies in various spots near the vacuum stations areas on the ground. We did come up with a fair number of bottles and cans as well making our efforts seem a little more palatable.

Money totals for 2007 – 12.31
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 326.30

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,948 – 747.40
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,970 – 1,248.50

Bone Chilling Cold!

Not Fit For Man or Beast!

Today we found absolutely nothing. I never left the house because of the intense cold. Temps only made it to five-above and the wind chill made it feel a whole lot worse than that. The only hope we had for coin finding was while Michele was at school, and she didn’t find anything. Tomorrow the cold snap breaks so we’ll be back out there.

Over and Out!

Money totals for 2007 – 12.28
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 326.27

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,926 – 746.30
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,948 – 1,247.40

Polar Express!

Today we found 4 cents in change and 17 bottles and cans.

We got a little taste of the really cold weather today. The highs only reached around 20 degrees and that was accompanied by a feisty north wind making it feel about 5. Tomorrow’s the real deal though with highs only reaching 8 to 12 and 10-15 mph north wind to go with it. I’m already feeling cold just thinking about it!

Money Report – not too much to comment on with regard to the coin findings for Thursday. All 4 of the coins came via the evening walk. I found the first one in the rite aid parking lot on the ground. Then, at the car wash, I snagged 2 pennies near the one of the vacuum areas. Finally, on our way home, walking at a brisk pace, we found one penny out in the road in front of Luigi’s.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 12.28
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 326.27

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,926 – 746.30
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,948 – 1,247.40

Slow and Steady...

Today we found 15 cents in change and 13 bottles and cans.

Our change finds were spread out during the course of the day. Michele was able to pick up 2 pennies at school to start things off. She also came up with another 11 cents on her run (1 dime and 1 penny). The dime was found on Mill Street and the penny came on Pine.

The evening walk wasn’t especially rewarding only finding 2 cents. The first of the pennies came from the car wash; it was on the ground near one of the vacuum areas. The second was picked up near Luigi’s. Bottles and cans were also tough to come by.

Over and Out!

Money totals for 2007 – 12.24
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 326.24

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,909 – 745.45
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,931 – 1,246.55

Digging Out!

Today we found 20 cents in change and 64 bottles and cans.

Another day, another 3 inches of new snow, it’s almost starting to be the norm around here. This time though it was the light puffy stuff, the kind you see in the movies. That made it easy to deal with as my shoveling was done in a snap. Leaving me time to do more enjoyable things like a good hard run.

Coin Alert – Our finds came from a few different places today. First, Michele scored 6 cents in the halls at school (1 nickel and 1 penny). Then, she picked up a penny while putting some air her tires at the Depot. The evening walk produces 3 cents, all of which were found at the car wash in one of the self-serve bays. The final 10 cents was recovered at Hannaford’s. It was near the payphones on the ground near the entrance to the store. It’s the first time I’ve found one a coin there.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 12.09
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 326.08

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,896 – 744.80
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,918 – 1,245.90

In The Grip...

Today we found 13 cents in change and 12 bottles and cans.

While in the throes of January, we continue our vigil for currency on the snow-covered streets and walkways of Sanford/Springvale. Last night we got a nice new coat of white thanks to a fast moving clipper that moved through the area depositing an inch of snow. Winter is firmly here, folks, and by the end of the week it will once again feel like the Arctic. Brrr….

Money Finds – Michele was the first to strike gold in the coin finding category with a single penny on her run. She snagged it heading up Oak Street on her way to completing a 3-miler. Nice pick on that one!

The rest of the loot was uncovered during our evening walk. The 12 cents came from one single location, and yes, you guessed it, the good old car wash came through again. We picked up one penny in the vacuum area on the ground and a dime and a penny in the self-serve bays.

Over and Out!

Money totals for 2007 – 11.89
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 325.88

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,832 – 741.60
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24854 – 1,242.70

Over For The Pats…

Today we found 7 cents in change 66 bottles and cans.

I just got done watching the Pats/Colts game and while it didn’t turn the way I wanted it to, I give the Colts full credit for the victory. The made an impressive comeback and deserved to win the game as much as the Pats did. It was a good run.

Change Update – The coins were few and far in between on our Sunday travels. Michele’s early morning walk and our run together yielded nothing. However, on a trip down to Hannaford’s to pick up the specials I found a penny in one of the isles.

The other coins came via the evening walk. Both finds were at the car wash. The 6 cents (1 nickel and 1 penny) were found on the ground near one of the vacuum areas. There was also a better than average amount of bottles and cans as well to add to the kitty.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 11.76
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 352.75

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,820 – 741.00
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,842 – 1,242.10

Hibernation!

Today we found 17 cents in change and 28 bottles and cans.

If you a take a step outside out our house tonight you’ll know exactly how bad a Maine winter night in January can be. It’s currently a frigid 10 degrees with a gentle 14 mph breeze giving it a wind chill of –2, simply lovely.

Needless to say, we decided against the evening walk and went out for Chinese instead. It was definitely a much better choice. We did however have some success finding coins. While at Renaissance Cards we snagged 11 cents in the form of a dime and a penny. The dime was under the counter and the penny was nearby. Then, we stopped by the car wash later on and found another 6 cents (1 nickel and 1 penny). Both coins were found near the vacuum areas on the ground. Bottles were also at a premium as we picked up many there as well.

Over and Out!

Money totals for 2007 – 11.69
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 352.68

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,754 – 737.70
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,776 – 1,238.80

End Of The Week…

Today we found 16 cents in change and 40 bottles and cans.

The change find gods were good to us once again as we headed into the weekend. Friday was particularly busy for me. First it was out to the driveway to shovel the 1-inch of snow we got. It turns out that the storm took a little more easterly track and hence resulted in less snow, though you won’t hear me complaining. I also made a trip to the post office to mail out some packages, then to the bank, and finally, a little grocery shopping before heading home. With all that running around though I didn’t even find a coin, go figure.

Money Talk – As mentioned earlier, I came up empty during my afternoon of errands. However, we did have some luck later on but it wasn’t on my run. The pot-of-gold came mostly on the evening walk. We came up with a nickel at the car wash plus a nice cache of bottles and cans. It was located near one of the vacuum areas on the ground. Then, at the 7-11, we snagged a dime in the parking lot. The other find one penny came on trip down to Hannaford’s. I was there picking up a couple of things and found the coin near a checkout aisle. Not too bad for having snowed the night before.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 11.52
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 352.51

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,726 – 736.30
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,748 – 1,237.40

More Snow Falling!

Today we found 25 cents in change and 15 bottles and cans.

As I’m writing this entry, outside there’s more snow falling. After making it through the last couple of bone-chilling days, I’ll take the snow because it brings the warmer temps with it. In fact, the forecast for Southern Maine is 3 to 6 inches but we’re right on the rain line so it could be less. Central and Northern parts are gearing up for the major amounts. Nevertheless, it is winter and the arrival of snow is like a rite of passage, bringing its magic—its clean, pure coat of white to officially mark the season.

Money Report – There isn’t much to talk about with regard to our coin finding adventures today. The lone coin that was found came from the car wash. It was in the dollar changer slot just behind the little flap that keeps the coins from popping out. I spied it with my handy-dandy headlamp. I probably would have missed it otherwise, so the payback on this item is already earning its keep.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 11.36
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 350.35

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,686 – 734.30
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,708 – 1,235.40

Deep Freeze!

Today we found 1 cent in change and 5 bottles and cans.

Braving the bitter cold was all about dressing in layers today. We decided to a take our walk while the sun was still up, a little earlier than usual but it proved to be wise choice. At a rapid clip with our pup, pup in tow, we made our way finding one penny in the process. It was found at the car wash in a self-serve bay. We didn’t really spend a whole lot of time there or anyway else though because of the weather, heading for home as best we could. There’s something to be said for the welcome warmth of a crackling fire, not to mention a nice hot cup of Dunkin Donuts Hazelnut coffee…um…um…good!

Over and Out!

Money totals for 2007 – 11.11
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 350.10

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,671 – 733.55
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,693 – 1,234.65

Cold Blast!

Today we found 71 cents in change and 12 bottle and cans

Hello to all of my fellow change hunters and blog followers. The weather outside is downright frigid and they’re predicting lows from –15 to 5 above, of course that’s not factoring in the wind chill. Those numbers will range anywhere from 40 below up north to around 15 to 20 below in central and southern Maine. Tomorrow’s numbers are only supposed to be around 15 above, max, with a strong wind as the arctic air pours in. Time to throw another log on the fire!

Money Talk – We really didn’t have a good feeling going into the evening walk. I had struck out on my afternoon run and Michele did the same on hers. She also came up empty at work as well, so as you can see, confidence was low. However, like an old lost friend, a small horde of coins was waiting patiently for us at the car wash. Most of the 71 cents was located in the self-serve bays (1 quarter, 3 dimes, 1 nickel and 11 pennies) on the ground, but one quarter was found near one of the vacuum areas, which had been freshly plowed.

As far as the rest of the walk was concerned, it was like being on a polar ice sheet. Because of the bitter cold weather, the slushy mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain turned into one big solid chuck of ice, making it very treacherous to negotiate the uneven and rock-hard terrain of the unplowed sidewalks regions and slippery road surfaces. Ah…Winter!

Money totals for 2007 – 11.10
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 350.09

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,666 – 733.30
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,684 – 1,234.20

Big Game Hunters!

Today we found no change and 7 bottles and cans.

As a New England fan, I must say after watching the game that we had no business beating San Diego. It was obvious to most that the Chargers played the better game, but in the end it was the turnovers that really hurt the bolts. I give Brady credit though, even having a tough day, he came through when it counted and the Pats as a team came up with the big plays that made the difference. Now it’s on to Indy.

Money Report – This is going to be a quick one. While we only received an inch of snow, we did get a mixed bag of weather including sleet and freezing rain. Barely anyone was out on the roads and everything thing was covered by the storm. We gave it a good shot but took the collar. It will probably be rough going for the next couple of days as well with two really cold days ahead. Tomorrow will only get into the low 20’s and Wednesday around 15 degrees so we won’t see any melt. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Over and Out!

Money totals for 2007 – 10.39
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 349.38

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,654 – 732.70
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,672 – 1,233.80

Bottoms Up!

Today we found 2 cents in change and 17 bottles and cans.

What started out to be a raining day soon turned into an icy mess. Needless to say, coin finding was tough to come by, and this is only part one with snow on the way starting Monday morning with a 2-to-4 inch total expected. Add some freezing rain and sleet and you have yourself a little taste of winter.

Money Report – Our only finds of the day came via a road trip down to Hannaford’s. We picked up a few snacks prior to the Patriot’s game and in the process recovered 2 pennies, one in the parking lot on the way and one in the exit area on the way out. We did come across a really nice stainless steel 9 oz flask, though. This might come in handy on the next couple of cold nights!

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 10.39
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 349.38

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,647 – 732.35
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 1,233.45

And The Beat Goes On….

Today we found 73 cents in change and 20 bottles and cans.

It’s too bad we have some snow significant snow coming on Monday because this month has been simply spectacular. It would have been interesting to see just how much we would’ve racked up in ideal conditions. Still, the snow isn’t here quite yet, and there were plenty of coins out there on the roads waiting to be found.

Michele was the first to collect some currency this Saturday with a penny on her walk with Lexi. She found it on Main Street next to the Black Bear café. It’s a new breakfast/lunch place that we just adore. The food is great and the service is excellent, plus, it seems to be a new hot spot for coin finding! Michele also found another 6 cents on her run (1 nickel and 1 penny). The nickel came courtesy of the high school and the penny was recovered on Bridge Street. She added another 11 cents (1 dime and 1 penny) while running down to Walmart.

The lion’s share of our finds came once again on our evening walk with 55 cents. We snagged one penny in the rite aid parking lot. Then, at the car wash, found another 54 cents (2 quarters and 4 pennies). Both of the quarters were on a ledge near the coin insert for a self-serve bay while the 4 pennies were found together, near a vacuum station.

Over and Out!

Money totals for 2007 – 10.37
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 349.36

Bottle and Can totals for 2006 – 14,630 – 731.50
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2007 – 24,652 – 1,232.60

Got A Light?

Today we found 1.07 in change and 34 bottles and cans.
The crew at “One Coin At A Time” couldn’t be happier with our money totals lately and today was another impressive run of luck. Michele got things going with a penny she found while at school. Next, we decided to do a run together in the afternoon and came up with 16 cents for our trouble (1 dime, 1 nickel and 1 penny). The first find came on the way down Joy Street, a dime in the middle of the road. Then, we picked up a penny cruising through part of the Mousam Trail and a nickel on the way up Main Street.

The rest of our finds came on the evening walk with Lexi. Walking through the rite aid parking lot we found 3 pennies scattered about on the ground in the parking lot. Next, at the High School, we recovered a dime near the front entrance. At the car wash we hit big again, coming up with a nice little bounty of 76 cents and brand new lighter (1 quarter, 3, 1 nickel and 16 pennies. Looks like another item for the yard sale in the spring. All but one 1 penny was found in and around the vacuum areas. One penny was found on the ground in one of the self-serve bays. Finally, the last penny of the total was found in the 7-11 parking lot.

Over and Out!

Money totals for 2007 – 9.64
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 348.63

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,610 – 730.50
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,632 – 1,231.60

3 Dimes And 6 Pennies!

Today we found 36 cents in change and 12 bottles and cans.

It was another cold one the streets of Springvale/Sanford today. Fortunately, temps are on the way up, at least for the next couple of days and then a possible snowstorm, though the weathermen are still undecided on exactly how much we might get. They always through in the comment, “it’s still to early to tell”. Translation: We’re not really sure what’s going to happen!

Loose Change – Most of our coin finding damage was done by Michele, she’s been a bit of coin magnet and was in the zone today. First, she found 20 cents at work (2 dimes). Then on run she found another dime on Witham Street. On the evening walk I found a total of 6 cents (all pennies). Four of the coins were found at the car wash on the ground in and around the vacuum stations. I also snagged one penny in the rite aid parking lot and one penny in the 7-11 parking.

Sidebar – I tried out my new headlamp I got for Christmas out on the roads, though it’s main purpose is for hiking. The led system is really bright and no doubt will come in handy during those dark evening walks.

Money totals for 2007 – 8.56
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 347.56

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,576 – 728.80
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,598 – 1,229.90

On A Roll!

Today we found 95 cents in change and 15 bottles and cans.

This was definitely the coldest day of the year so far. Temps were in the 20’s and there was a pretty steady wind as well making things much more challenging. Tomorrow is supposed to be colder but dry, then at least one of day of warm up in the 40’s.
Money Report – If you can believe it, we had another good day of coin finding. There’s no real explanation for it other than good old luck, or perhaps good timing. Either way, we’re not complaining.
The first coin of the day came during my run. I snagged a nickel on Howard Street, plus a 7/16 craftsman socket attachment, which was interesting. The rest of our finds came on the evening with Lexi. We found 1 penny in the rite aid parking lot, then, at the car wash we came up with another 88 cents (3 quarters, 1 dime, and 3 pennies). The dime and pennies came from the vacuum station areas while the 3 quarters were found atop a ledge near the coin insert for the one of the self-serve bays. The final coin, a penny, was found in the 7-11 parking lot on the ground.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 8.21
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 347.20

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,564 – 758.20
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,586 – 1,229.30

Turning Colder….

Today we found 1.22 in change and 28 bottles and cans.

After a string of pleasant, warmer than normal days, our return to January type weather is imminent. While it did reach about 40 degrees, there was a strong wind, and it’s quite chilly right now with more of the same over the next couple of days.

Change finds – it was another remarkable day of coin finding in the Springvale/Sanford area. I got things started with the recovery of a penny on Mill Street. I also picked up a coke cap; we’ve been finding quite a few of them lately. The evening walk continues to be our heavy hitter for currency, though. At the car wash we found 77 cents (3 quarters and 2 pennies). One of the quarters and both pennies were found near the vacuum stations. The other 2 quarters were on a ledge near the insert slot in the self-serve bay. Next, walking through the 7-11 parking lot we snagged a dime. The remaining 35 cents were found in a parking space near the china lau (great food by the way). The 35-cent total was in the form of 3 dimes and 1 nickel.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 7.26
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 346.25

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,549 – 727.45
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,571 – 1,228.55

Quick Silver!

Today we found 1.01 in change and 9 bottles and cans.

The word of the day “quarter”, at least that’s what we’re calling it. Of the 5 five coins we found today, 4 of them were of the 25 cent variety. I found the first one during my run, a single quarter lying all by itself on Pleasant Street, in-between Weeman and Sherburne. The other 3 quarters along with the lone penny were found on the evening walk. The first 51 cents were discovered at the car wash. Both of the quarters and the one penny were on the ground near a vacuum station near one another. The last quarter was found on Main Street next to the hair salon, close to Luigi’s. We had previously found 3 other coins there in recent walks and this one was laying on top of some sand, probably got washed out by the heavy rains last night and this morning.

Over and Out!

Money totals for 2007 – 6.04
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 345.02

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,521 – 726.05
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,543 – 1,227.15

Continued Success!

Today we found 84 cents in change and 40 bottles and cans.
Sunday was another exceptional day for coin finding. The continued mild, dry conditions only enhance our totals and we are very appreciative of that. Michele was able to come up 22 cents on her early morning walk with Lexi. The first 11 cents came via the skateboard park (1 dime and 1 penny). Then, she found a dime on Pleasant Street and 1 penny on Mill.

The evening walk added another 62 cents to the fund. First, we found 26 cents at the high school (1 quarter and 1 penny). At the car wash though was where we once again cashed in, picking up 36 cents (1 quarter, 1 nickel and 6 pennies). All but the quarter was found near the vacuum stations. The quarter was located on the ground in one of the self-serve bays.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 5.03
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 345.02

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,512 – 725.60
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,534 – 1,226.70

Record Breaking Warmth!

Today we found 85 cents in change and 33 bottles and cans.

Talk about warm, today we officially set a new record for all-time high in the state. Temps were near 70 degrees today, if I hadn’t known any better I would have sworn that it was May instead of January. I know all good things don’t last but man oh man, what a treat this day was!

The Money Report – Michele got shut out on her early morning walk with Lexi, but it was raining heavily which made it very difficult to find any money. That didn’t slow us up too much as the coins were flowing. During an afternoon walk in which we wanted to check out a new restaurant that’s going to open up next week we were able to find 11 cents. Two of the pennies were found out in front of the Black Bear Café. We also found a nickel on Mill Street, 1 penny in the rite aid parking lot and 3 pennies on Water Street.

Next, during Michele’s run she found one penny on Grove Street. On my run in the afternoon I came up with 15 cents (1 dime and 5 pennies). The dime was found on Mill Street and the 5 were found altogether on Bridge Street. The rest of the action (58 cents) came on the evening walk. As usual, the big hit of the walk was the car wash where found all of our change (1 quarter, 3 dimes and 3 pennies). The 3 pennies were found in and around the vacuum areas while the quarter and 3 dimes resided in one of the self-serve bays. Bottles and cans were also plentiful once again.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 4.19
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 344.18

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,472 – 723.60
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,494 – 1, 224.70

Another Solid Day!

Today we found 59 cents in change and 31 bottles and cans.

Our money finding ways continued in earnest on a very warm Friday. This weather has been truly unseasonable and while updating this entry today it’s even warmer!

Michele was the first to make a find with a the recovery of a dime she found during her morning walk with Lexi. She snagged it in the rite aid parking lot all by its lonesome. The rest of our discoveries came via the evening walk. At the car wash we found a whopping 48 cents (1 quarter, 1 dime, 1 nickel and 8 pennies). Most the coins were found in and around the vacuum station islands. The quarter was near the entrance to the automatic washers and one of the pennies was found in one of the self-serve bays. The final penny of the total was found at Cumberland Farms on the ground in the parking lot.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 – 3.34
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 343.33

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,439 – 721.95
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 1,223.05

Returning To The Norm....

Today we found 11 cents in change and 37 bottles and cans.

Things got back to normal with regard to our coin finding. While it was another above average day, coins were hard to come by. During my run I was able to snag a penny. I found it headed down Main Street early in the run. Michele added to the total with another 2 pennies, which she found at work. She also came up with a penny on her run as well, found on Mill Street.

The remaining 3 coins were recovered during the evening walk. We found our first penny at the car wash, again near the vacuum stations on the ground. Then, on our way up Main Street we found a nickel near the hair salon and one penny right next to library.

Over and Out!

Money totals for 2007 – 2.75
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 342.74

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,408 – 720.40
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,430 – 1,221.50

A Little Springvale/Sanford Red Sox Baseball History – Part 2!

The game, from the Sanford Tribune, Friday, October 3rd, 1919

The Red Sox and the Sanford Professionals met at Goodall Park Wednesday afternoon in a game which will probably stand for a long time as the real classic event of Sanford's baseball. The score was 4-3 in favor of the Red Sox when the last little dust cloud stirred up by a player's toe cleared away. The Red Sox attack was led by Babe Ruth, the champion home run getter of the world to date.

Babe connected for a full circuit clout in the eighth inning. He was obliged to do it to win his fame. It wasn't a case of just letting the big swat artist bat the ball for four sacks to please the crowd of fans, who had been reading of his tremendous wallops during the big league season. When Ruth caught the old pill and sailed it over the right field fence, thirty feet or more inside the foul line and with a clearance of full forty feet, Sanford had his team in the hole 3-1, and it was the eighth inning. There were two out, and Gilholey was on third, with Roth on first, the result of a base on balls and a fielder's choice. Ruth had swung hard at the first ball pitched, and missed. Then came a called strike. There were few present who expected the blow that followed. Sanford's pitcher tried to pass the batter, but Babe reached out for a ball eight or ten inches wide of the plate, picked out the seam he wanted to hit it on, and slammed the sphere out of the park, whereafter taking his time in jogging around the bases in the wake of the two men who preceded him across the plate, putting the score at 4 to 3 against the locals, which count remained without change until the finish.

It was a hard game for Sanford to lose, and one of the best aside from the big home run feature, ever witnessed here. One error only was credited to each team, Ruth, playing at third, making one of them, and the favorite "Pink" the other. It was a battle of pitchers, Barclay, twirling for Sanford, allowed three bases on balls and struck out four men. Golden for the Red Sox had that same record for the game. Sanford connected safely five times, two of the hits contributed by Jim McKeon. Red Sox players corralled eight hits. NcNeil, the redoubtable catcher, landing three of them. Next to Ruth's homer the batting feature was a long triple by Rowe in the fourth, which, with Ruth's error and singles by McKeon and Kincaid, gave the Sanford team its three runs. Sharp fielding featured the fray, two double plays being worked by each team, Pinkerton starting Sanford's and Shean getting the double killings off for the Sox. It was a grand good game to watch, and many watched it-the biggest paid attendance of the season for the stores and mills were closed for the occasion.

There’s more to the story but I thought that just about covered it.

Money Update – Today we found 2.12 in change and 30 bottles and cans.

Wednesday was a day for finding lots of coins. Michele got things going with the discovery of a penny found in front of the black bear café. Next, I had a couple of errands to run and while doing so picked up a total of 3 cents. The first 2 came via the Somersworth Cumberland farms where I gassed up. The other penny was found at Staples while picking up some supplies for the business. A little later on Michele had good luck on her finding 35 cents (1 quarter and 1 dime). Both coins were found on Mill Street. She also came up with 11 cents (1 dime and 1 penny), which found at work.

The rest of the action was on the evening walk, and what a walk it was. Our big hit came from the car wash where we found 1.37 in change (5 quarters and 12 pennies). 1 of the quarters and the 12 pennies were found near vacuum stations, the quarter and a penny on the ground and the other 11 pennies on top of one of the islands. The other 4 quarters were on one of the ledges inside a self-serve bay. The final 25 cents of the walk was found near Luigi’s. It was lying on the ground.

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 - 2.64
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 342.63

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,371 – 718.55
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,393 – 1,219.65

A Little Springvale/Sanford Red Sox Baseball History – Part 1

I know I don’t talk too much about the Red Sox, but I’m a huge fan and have been all my life. I was talking with an old storeowner a while back, he ran Babe’s Store near Goodall Park. Anyway, I had heard about a game between members of the Red Sox, including Babe Ruth who played against former teammate and one time captain of the Red Sox, Freddy Parent, originally from Biddeford but was a long time Sanford, Maine resident. The way I got the story (sort of an urban legend) was that the big bambino hit the game-winning homerun over the left-field fence, a mammoth shot, that when it came down landed on top of Babe’s Store some 500 feet away.

Well, I got the low-down straight from the man himself, Babe, owner of Babe’s Store. In his words – “I’ve been asked that question before”, he said. “Babe Ruth did hit the winning homerun but it never hit the store, I know because it wasn’t there”. He went on say that the store was built in the 1930’s (I don’t remember the exact year) and that even if it had been there it fell far short of the spot where the store now sits. I guess it was quite a game from all accounts. In part two of this story I’ll recap game, but, seeing the focus of the story was to originally highlight Sanford, Maine’s own Freddy Parent, I thought it only fitting to first add his bio.

When early baseball history was being made, this 5'5" Maine native with a bemused look and pouty smile was often around. In the first WS (1903), he was the winning Boston team's shortstop, and was the last surviving participant. When Yankee Jack Chesbro threw his famous wild pitch on the last day of the 1904 season to blow the pennant, Parent was the batter. His fine defensive plays saved four no-hitters, including Cy Young's perfect game. Parent's solid hitting, running, and fielding made him a popular hero in Boston. Parent denied three pitchers no-hitters when he got his club's only hits. He provided the dramatic conclusion for Frank Smith's no-hitter when, refusing to accept an intentional walk, he reached out to drive in the game's only run in the bottom of the ninth. To be continued….

Money Update – Today we found 17 cents in change and 23 bottles and cans.

Michele came up with the first find of the day snagging a dime at school. She also found 4 pennies on her run, all of them near the Black Bear Café located on Main Street. The final three cents came on the evening run. We found penny number one on the sidewalk walking down Main Street, then another penny near the village consignment shop and the last penny courtesy of 7-11. It was on the ground in the parking lot.

Money totals for 2006 - .52
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 340.51

Bottle and Can totals for 2006 – 14,341 – 717.05
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24,363 – 1,218.15

Tough Sledding Into The New Year!

Today we found 35 cents in change and 11 bottles and cans.

The coin finding conditions were rather challenging this Monday. Last night at this time a front moved in which started off as freezing rain, then eventually turned to all rain. The problem was that it put a coat of ice on everything this morning and lasted well into the afternoon. The old sand trucks were out in full-force but we needed ice skates for the sidewalks.

Needless to say, this made coin finding very difficult. However, we did have a little luck on the evening walk with Lexi. As we were on our way up Main Street headed home, Michele picked out a quarter in the snow near a couple of candy wrappers. It was a really nice snag. The other coins of the day came a little bit later while at Hannaford’s to pick up a couple of items. First, I found a dime near one of the checkout counters, and then, on my way out I found a 5 pence coin in the return slot of the coin star machine. Yes folks, I finally found a coin in a coin star machine! Hooray!

Good Night and Good Hunting!

Money totals for 2007 - .35
Money totals since Jan. 2005 – 340.34

Bottle and Can totals for 2007 – 14,318 – 715.90
Bottle and Can totals since Jan. 2005 – 24.340 – 1,127.00