Beach Metal Detecting Turns Up Central Regional Class Ring

BERKELEY, NJ — Central Regional Class of 1980: Do you know where your class ring is?

A 1980 class ring from Central Regional was recently discovered by a New York City woman. The garnet stone ring does not have any initials on it, according to Lois Eastlund.

Lois came across the ring in her late father’s belongings. Douglas Eastlund worked and lived in Plainfield, New Jersey, with his wife, Rose, before they retired to the coastal town of Hampstead, North Carolina, in 1988.

Douglas' hobby was metal detecting, rising every morning and combing local beaches in North Carolina and New Jersey.

“I was going through some of his things that I have and found the 1980 Central Regional class ring in an envelope. My dad tried to reunite every ring he found to its owners, if possible,” she said.

Douglas was successful in returning a 1969 class ring to its owner, which he found after a tropical storm hit North Carolina in 1996.

“My parents had no computer, internet, etcetera. My dad mostly did his research in the local libraries and calling whatever school he thought the ring might be from,” she said.

Lois does not know exactly where the Central Regional ring was found.

After they retired in North Carolina, Douglas and Rose made many trips back to New Jersey to visit family and friends who lived near Ortley Beach in Toms River. Lois believes the ring could have been found during one of their visits.

Lois contacted the Central Regional Alumni Association, though nobody has claimed the ring yet. She found a class list of alumni from 1980, but the ring’s unusual inscription did not match any of the names.

“I really would love to reunite this ring with its owner if possible, as I know that's what my dad would have wanted,” Lois said.

If you recognize the ring in these photos, reach out to kimberlee.bongard@patch.com to get in touch with Lois.

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