OPINION, Lost and found
By Gene Price
Published in News on April 24, 2006 1:46 PM
Somewhere out there is -- or was -- someone with the initials "SRP." The initials were inscribed in a Seven Springs High School class ring, Class of 1963.
It apparently was lost many years ago at a drag strip. Charles Champion, now deceased, found it there and was unable to locate the owner.
His widow, Francis, of Middlesex still has the ring, having kept it for years in a fire-proof box. Mrs. Champion, without success, has tried through the Wayne County School office to locate the owner.
She hasn't given up. Should anyone have a clue, she can be reached at 919-269-8444.
In a recent phone conversation, I suggested that she "keep the faith."
And told her of an experience I had many years ago.
When I first worked as city editor of the News-Argus 1952-1954, Extension Agent Mark Goforth, while on Army reserve duty, made me a "dog tag" with my News-Argus address. Except for that, it was identical to my old Army dog tags. I affixed it to my car key ring.
But then I went to work as waterfront reporter for the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot. While covering Hurricane Ione, a photographer and I went to Nags Head. To shield his camera from blowing sand, I held out my coat to block the wind.
My car keys, with the "dog tag,' apparently blew out of my coat pocket.
A few years later, after I had returned to the News-Argus as managing editor, I received a little box in the mail. In it were my car keys and the "News-Argus" dog tag!
It also included a note from one who said, "I was walking along the ocean shore -- and found this in the sand."
I still have the old dog tag, and it's in perfect condition.