PHOTO PROVIDED The ring is a sturdier, man’s style ring with a large yellow topaz gem. Engraving wrapped around and beneath the stone are the words “Muncy High;” alongside the ring’s sides are various insignias—the word “Indians,” and the left profile of an Indian head adorned in headress. Beneath the head is a symbolic icon of two crossed tomahawks. The name “Chris Schell” is inscribed and faded over the decades on the interior band.

WILLIAMSPORT-Using social media as a tool to locate the owner, a happy reunion occurred last week for a former Muncy woman who’d lost her class ring more than three decades ago.

Attending Muncy High School, Crystal Schell Lincoln was a junior in 1982 when her grandmother, Doris Sandell, purchased the keepsake. “It cost her $78-a lot of money then,” Crystal said.

The ring is a sturdier, man’s style ring with a large yellow topaz gem. Engraving wrapped around and beneath the stone are the words “Muncy High;” alongside the ring’s sides are various insignias-the word “Indians,” and the left profile of an Indian head adorned in headress. Beneath the head is a symbolic icon of two crossed tomahawks. The name “Chris Schell” is inscribed and faded over the decades on the interior band.

“I felt the girl’s version was flimsily-made and wanted something more durable,” Crystal said. Traditionally, Muncy’s school color is navy blue; the yellow topaz was chosen because it denotes Crystal’s birth month.

Fast-forward five years: returning home after shopping at the Lycoming Mall in 1987, Crystal realized she’d lost the treasured piece of jewelry. The ring was never recovered-by her, at least.

PHOTO by Cindy Knier Turning to Facebook to locate the original owner, Rae Snook (center) with the assistance of Paula Miller (right) posted the information on social media. The pictures were shared by nearly 1,000 people before reaching over a period of five days, when the owner, Crystal Lincoln (left), claimed the treasure.

Along came Rae Snook, who was also at the mall that fateful day. Snook, formerly of Montgomery, felt something collide with her shoe, looked down and retrieved the ring from the floor near Claire’s Boutique. She took it home and tossed it inside her jewelry box and ” basically forgot about it,” she said.

Until this year. Rae, who lives at Newberry Estates in Williamsport, now requires the help of a home healthcare aid. Enter Paula Miller from PRN Home Health Services, based in Williamsport. Just a few days into 2020 Paula was tending to Rae and found a pair of earrings on the floor. Rae asked her to place them in her jewelry box, and when Paula opened the case, she noticed the ring and remarked that it seemed more suitable for a man to wear than a woman. Inspecting it closely, Paula discovered a name inscribed on the ring’s inside.

When Rae explained the story behind the ring, “she told me to keep it, but I suggested that social media might be useful in finding its owner,” Paula said. Rae agreed.

On Jan. 8, Paula posted five photos on Facebook. Her post was shared over 1,000 times. Five days later, a friend of Crystal’s saw the post and contacted her, who in turn reached out to Paula.

Last Thursday afternoon, Rae and Paula were able to return the class ring to Crystal at her Brandon Place residence, a distance no more than five miles between the two households. WNEP-TV Channel 16 and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, along with The Luminary, also documented the event.

“I know my grandma has a hand in this,” Crystal said. “She bought this ring and it means a lot to me. Through them (Miller and Snook) and social media, I woke up Sunday and I was looking at my ring [on Facebook].”

Prior to the meeting, Crystal wanted to purchase two bouquets as a special token of appreciation from Weis Markets at 305 River Avenue, Williamsport. After telling the florist the lost-and-found story, the store manager provided the flower arrangements free of charge.

“I’m a firm believer in the “pass it on” movement,” Crystal said. “All three of us are.”

While it may appear that a happy ending occurred, it’s actually a beginning for the three women as they shared various life details with each other. “Paula and I have very similar life stories, even down to being employed as care givers-I feel like she’s the twin sister I never had,” Crystal said.