APRO Bulletin - 1979 07 00 - Vol 28 No 1

Magazine Overview

The APRO Bulletin, Volume 28, Number 1, dated July 1979, features a cover headline "BACK-UP FOR N.Z. SIGHTINGS?" and delves into several UFO incidents. The issue is published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc. (APRO) and includes detailed reports and witness testimonies.

The Jenkins and Purdy Incidents

This section, authored by H.L. Heady, details two significant UFO events. The Jenkins Incident occurred on Sunday morning, September 3, 1978, in the White River country of Southwest Missouri. Dora Sturgell and her family witnessed a "white" object in a lower pasture, initially mistaken for a sheet of plastic. The object then rose, described as rounded, egg-shaped, shiny, and sparkling, with a "black streak on one side." It ascended without sound and was estimated to be about 600 feet from the house. Later, Marlett Sturgell observed the object rise and "float like a balloon." The family watched as another, larger "log-shaped" (cylindrical) vehicle appeared, and the smaller object merged with it before both disappeared immediately into the blue sky. The object had been on the ground for approximately two hours.

The Purdy Incident took place on the night of September 14, 1978, in Purdy, Missouri. Mrs. Smith observed an object on her front lawn outlined by a nearby street light. The following morning, she found a three-foot circle where the grass had a "burned or scalded look" and a faded blue-green appearance, with the tips of the grass brown and devoid of chlorophyll. This was distinct from the surrounding grass, which showed no frost damage. Mrs. Smith was concerned about public ridicule but was sure of what she saw. The author notes the proximity of this area to the Pineville sightings of early 1977.

S.S. President Johnson Letter

A letter from the S.S. President Johnson, dated January 1, 1979, en route from Yokohama to Seattle, describes a sighting on December 30, 1978. At 1950 hours ship's time, a "loom of light" was observed, appearing like a bright searchlight. Attempts to detect it on radar were unsuccessful, despite the ship being equipped with two new radars in excellent condition. At 2012 hours, a large, bright, round, white frosted light appeared on the horizon, estimated to be about half the size of a full moon. By 2027 hours, the light was off the starboard beam, approximately three to five miles away, with no radar target. The vessel was experiencing force 8 seas and winds up to 35 knots, but the light showed no motion, appearing suspended in mid-air. The letter mentions that Australian news had broadcasted a similar sighting off the New Zealand coast, with photos televised locally.

A Report on the Scandia, Minnesota UFO Sightings of 22 March 1978

This extensive report by Field Investigator Robert E. Engberg details a significant UFO flap over the Minnesota-Wisconsin border area on March 22, 1978. The investigation, conducted from July to December 1978, involved twenty-four interviews. The flight path traced out over eighty-five miles from Cumberland, Wisconsin, to Newport, Minnesota. Two patterns of UFO flight were identified: an earlier one around 19:00 hours east of Chisago City, and a second originating near Cumberland around 20:45 to 21:15 hours.

The weather on March 22, 1978, was clear with temperatures between 32 and 49 degrees F, and winds averaging 10.3 MPH. Notably, radar stations in the area reported "Negative" on the evening of the 22nd, despite the presence of numerous large craft.

Details of the Sighting

The first wave of sightings began around 19:30 hours on Chisago Lake, with the Kenneth O. family witnessing five red lights, one blinking. Earlier, between 19:00 and 19:30 hours, Clarence M. and his wife saw three steady red lights moving west to east south of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, estimated at 95-115 MPH. Clarence estimated the objects' pattern size at 4-5 inches in diameter at arm's length.

Another sighting occurred between 17:00 and 18:30 hours near St. Croix Falls, where Bernice V. viewed a stationary object with bright, clear lights for fifteen minutes, sized as a hand's width at arm's length.

A second wave of sightings began in Cumberland around 20:45 to 21:15 hours, with reports of a very large object (up to 150 yards long) sporting bright, round, red lights, traveling NE to SW at a low speed and estimated at 1000 ft. altitude.

A night-duty police officer in Milltown, Wisconsin, observed five steady red lights in formation, moving east to west, with one object trailing and oscillating. The formation split up, with some units heading west and others south. The lights were about 0.25 inches in diameter at arm's length.

Near the Wild Mountain Ski Resort, John W. and others witnessed three huge objects, described as big orange globes, making a turn to the south and disappearing over the tree line. These objects were estimated at 100-200 ft. altitude, moving at the speed of a C-130 military plane. They turned white and circular in shape as they passed overhead before returning to orange as they disappeared.

In Taylor's Falls at 21:05 hours, Mrs. Betty A., her son Brent, and friend Mike L. witnessed five milky blue large lights in a straight line, appearing from nowhere. The lights were described as the size of a 9" luncheon plate. They heard a low humming sound. The lights changed to milky white and formed a different shape, with a small red light noted on the right. The object headed southwest. Betty described the formation's speed as 10 MPH with an altitude of about 200 feet.

Rita D. reported a formation of 7 bobbing red lights heading SW near Shafer, estimated at 5 MPH, on a single, round object the size of a "747" airplane at an altitude of 500 feet.

Cindy D. drew light patterns resembling arrangements shown in Figure 4. Her initial sighting lasted 3-4 minutes, and the younger members of her group chased the light formation for 35 miles.

Near Chisago Lake, the Kenneth O. family reported eight people in a van saw lights described as the apparent size of 1 inch diameter balls, extending for 5 feet, with a steady, dim, solid red color, traveling at about 5 MPH. The formation made no noise, but dogs barked excitedly. The lights suddenly disappeared.

In the Bone and Goose Lake area, Marie I. and a companion noticed 4 red lights on a descending saucer shape. The object headed east with a southwest heading. A 4-inch diameter disc at arm's length was its apparent size.

David and Cathy H. observed 10-12 lights in two rows, forming an ellipse, heading north to south at about 15 MPH. The units were described as 40 feet in diameter with a height of 20 feet, appearing as a tennis ball at arm's length. The lights were dominantly red, with some blue and yellow, and exhibited a "bobbing" behavior. The object was below the moon's elevation, with a north to south trajectory.

In Scandia, many people saw objects, but authorities were reluctant to give names. Wayne E. reported 5 soundless red lights passing over town in a NE to SW direction, described as 3 car-lengths long and 1 1/2 car-lengths high. Roxy M., a neighbor, saw the same UFO.

Dean A. watched a UFO cross Highway 97, surrounded by ten red and green flashing lights, estimated at 200 feet altitude. The object was stationary with a wobble and disappeared to the south.

Carol A. driving SW of Scandia encountered a large object pacing her car, with five large solid red lights, appearing at tree-top height. The grey mass with lights wobbled and hovered, then steadied and followed her car for 1 1/2 miles. No radio static or car malfunction was noted. The unit left the side of the road, circled her house, and crossed Big Marine Lake.

Summer Release Planned

The issue announces the upcoming release of "The Encyclopedia of UFOs," a book by Ron Story, planned for June by Doubleday. It will contain over 300 entries, 200 illustrations, an extensive bibliography, a chronology of UFO history, and a directory of UFO periodicals. APRO participated in its production.

Help!

APRO appeals to its membership for financial support to replace aging office machinery, including a copying machine and addressograph, which are critical for maintaining operations. They present three choices: go without, contract to buy new machines with uncertain payment plans, or ask members for contributions. They opted for the third choice, emphasizing the organization's long tenure and pioneering role in UFO research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on detailed witness accounts of UFO sightings, often accompanied by investigative reports. There is a strong emphasis on documenting physical evidence and anomalies, such as radar blackouts. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into the UFO phenomenon, encouraging scientific rigor while acknowledging the challenges posed by cultural skepticism and the need for open-mindedness. The publication also highlights the importance of APRO's long-standing role in UFO research and its contributions to the field.