LONG ISLAND U.F.O. UPDATE

Magazine Overview

Title: LONG ISLAND U.F.O. UPDATE
Issue: Volume I, Issue VIII
Date: August 1990
Publisher: L.I.U.F.O.N.
Price: $1.00 (Free to members)

This issue of the Long Island U.F.O. Update newsletter provides a comprehensive look at UFO-related activities, investigations, and discussions. The cover features a photograph of UFO investigator Pat Delgado near a corn circle in England, highlighting a new discovery concerning the phenomenon. The issue promises a continuing report on the South African UFO crash retrieval, a review of national and international UFO news, and special reports on current case investigations.

L.I.U.F.O.N. Activities and National Interest

The newsletter begins by noting the unprecedented national interest in the Jacksonville, Florida case, which led to interviews on several radio stations across the United States. This publicity has also resulted in a flux of new members joining L.I.U.F.O.N. from various states. The organization is preparing for a taping of Joel Martin's show on August 31st, which will focus on the Moriches Bay Case and recent findings. Unfortunately, a planned TV program deal with Manhattan Cable System has been canceled due to a lack of financial backing. L.I.U.F.O.N. has received a positive response from its library talks series and has several engagements planned for the fall and winter. They are also scheduled to hold an evening talk at the Massapequa Library on October 12th and are collaborating with Barry Gellis of Brooklyn-Queens Cable Company for a show on his public access channel.

The organization extends well wishes for an enjoyable and safe Labor Day weekend to its members and encourages them to keep watching the sky.

The Long Island Scene: Ongoing Investigations

West Islip Case: This case, involving the possible abduction of a mother and daughter, is still under investigation. Strange occurrences include a nocturnal light in the daughter's bedroom, the mother confronting balls of light and a hooded entity in her living room. Trees and shrubs in the backyard died within five weeks of the incident. Further interviews revealed that two other family members have had similar experiences. The mother and daughter are scheduled for regression therapy with Bud Hopkins.

Lefante Case: This case has intensified, with James reporting two abduction experiences this past month, involving himself and several friends. It is noted that these same individuals, along with James, have been abducted at least twice before. The case appears to include James, his friends, and family.

Other Reports:

• August 3rd: A report from Patchogue describes a strange light moving in an oval rotation in the westerly sky, observed by a family from their backyard. The light appeared as large as a star but moved circularly.
• August 5th: A member in Oakdale reported a bright illumination of the night sky around 3:30 a.m. in the easterly sky, which turned the sky into daylight for an estimated fifteen minutes to an hour.
• August 10th: A report from Islip indicates a witness may have seen a red oval object descend into Heckscher State Park. L.I.U.F.O.N. is investigating.
• August 17th: Two Grumman employees reported seeing a silver cigar-shaped object at 10,000 ft on a northerly course over the Grumman facility in Calverton. Dick Ruhl is investigating this case.

Membership Corner

Membership Meeting: A membership meeting will be held on Friday, August 24th, 1990, at 6:30 p.m. at the South Country Library in Bellport Village. The meeting will feature two videos: one from the PBS Nova series on the UFO Phenomenon (noted as biased against the phenomenon) and a documentary on the Gulf Breeze sightings. The meeting is open to the public and general membership and will conclude at 8:30 p.m.

Meeting Dates: The South Country Library has provided dates for the next five months: August 24th, September 28th, October 26th, November 30th, and December 21st. Each meeting will be announced in the newsletter with program details.

Newsletter Delivery: Complaints about late newsletter delivery have been received, with some members receiving mailings up to nine days late. L.I.U.F.O.N. has complained to the post office without a satisfactory resolution. The production schedule has been affected by changes in meeting dates.

The Journal: The next issue of The Long Island U.F.O. Reporter has been delayed due to a lack of typists and late article submissions. The next issue is expected in September.

The Chairman's Corner: The South African UFO Crash: It's a Hoax!!

This section debunks the widely circulated story of a South African UFO crash recovery case from May 9th, 1989. The story, which included alleged government cover-ups, crashed alien spacecraft, and the exchange of wreckage for nuclear weapons, was presented with secret South African documents and photographs of alien bodies. However, the investigation by L.I.U.F.O.N. and other researchers revealed that the central figure, James Van Gruenen, was an international hoaxer. The documents were fraudulent, and the photographs were doctored images of a mummified Native American child's carcass. Bill Knell of Island Skywatch is criticized for spreading the hoax for sensationalism and profit, even on his cable TV show, despite warnings. The case is definitively discredited as a hoax.

UFO and Corn Circle Investigator Pat Delgado Standing Next to Circle in Winchester, England

Winchester, England: In a year with numerous corn circles, a strange event occurred near a 50-foot circle in Cheesefoot Head. Rectangular formations, described as coffin-like depressions, were discovered in the vegetation. A corridor, 63 feet long and 13 feet wide, leads from the main circle. Pat Delgado, a noted circle investigator, believes this discovery challenges notions about the circle phenomenon and supports his theory of an intelligence behind it. The discovery of rectangular formations is the first of its kind and suggests an intelligence beyond simple air vortexes.

Bloomington, Indiana: Reports indicate a landing in a field belonging to Bruce and Becky Merida. A 25-foot diameter circle of mashed, dead grass was found, with three depressions in the soil suggesting a tripod landing. No witnesses were present, and no official explanation has been offered.

The National and International UFO Review

The Beast of Exmoor!!!: Since 1983, hundreds of sheep have been killed in the rugged Exmoor area of England. The animals are typically killed by having their faces and necks ripped off, with all blood sucked out. Initial speculation pointed to an oversized dog, but paw prints and reports of leaps from extreme heights suggested a large cat. Witness reports of a screeching cry at night led some to believe it was a mountain lion or puma. Local resident Nigel Brisly wrote a book on the subject, theorizing that pumas, possibly pets released by owners, are responsible. Farmer Rod Brammer described seeing a hefty, low-slung, muscular creature. However, Doug Richardson of the London Zoo disputes the big cat theory, citing paw prints that show claws (which big cats retract) and the uncharacteristic blood-sucking behavior. The creature remains uncaught.

The Wildman of China: Dr. Frank Poirier, an anthropologist from Ohio State University, believes in the ancient Chinese legend of the Yehen, or 'Wildmen of China,' primitive ape-like beings inhabiting remote areas of China for centuries. Poirier and Richard Greenwell conducted a two-month expedition and discovered a hair sample, which has defied chemical analysis but shows an iron-to-zinc ratio similar to human hair, though not human or animal. Chinese officials have blocked the extradition of samples. Poirier believes the creature is distinct from the Yeti and Bigfoot and may be a descendant of Gigantopithecus. He plans another expedition to the Shennonglia Forest.

Moscow, U.S.S.R.: Soviet villagers are reportedly teasing a milkman for his report of an encounter with a UFO. Vladimir Akhaltseu claimed a large ball of light followed his truck to the local dairy outside Lipetsk. This sighting is in the vicinity of Voronezh, where a famous landing of extraterrestrials occurred previously. Several villagers claim to have seen the object, lending support to the milkman's story.

UFO Flap in Belgium Continues

Brussels, Belgium: Reports of triangular-shaped craft with lights continue to emerge from Belgium since November. Over 700 sightings have been officially reported, with experts estimating the actual number to exceed 1500. A notable incident on April 10, 1990, involved a large metallic craft, shaped as a triangle and estimated to be as big as a house, appearing over the South Station area. Mr. Marcel Alfarino videotaped the object, describing three large white lights in the corners and red and green lights on the rear, accompanied by a hissing sound. The videotape is under examination by experts.

Colchester, England: On April 27, 1990, eight people reported a dull, red colored oval object flying over the River Thames. It was estimated to be forty feet in diameter at 5000 feet altitude and traveled at approximately 1000 m.p.h. The case remains unexplained.

Croydon, England: In January 1990, a 35-year-old civil engineer reported an elliptical shaped object, resembling a soupbowl, hovering 25 feet above rooftops. The grey metallic craft hovered briefly before vanishing. It was estimated to be at least 40 feet in diameter. The witness was the only one to report it, and the RAF and Civil Aviation Authority had no official records.

Newham, England: This area has been a hotbed of sightings, with the East Anglia UFO and Paranormal Research Association reporting 24 sightings in January 1990 alone. Only 25% of these could be explained by the Ministry of Defense. Five specific sightings in Newham included:

1. January 16th: A saucer-shaped object with multi-colored lights over Stratford.
2. January 17th: A triangular formation of lights hovering over a car in Plaistrov, joined by a second object.
3. January 20th: A high-speed blue light across the sky in East Han.
4. January 23rd: A blue light shot across Highway A13 at incredible speed.
5. January 27th: A large orange ball of light, estimated to be 20 feet in diameter, hovering above rooftops in Plaistrov.

Special Report!!!

The Glen Cove Photo Analysis Case: This case involves a photograph taken by an amateur photographer in the summer of 1973 or 1974. While taking a picture of a pond and landscape, the photographer did not see any objects in the sky. However, upon development, the picture revealed a large oval disc above the treeline in the background. The witness, Elise Gordon, kept the picture for years and recently requested L.I.U.F.O.N. to examine it for an explanation.

The Pine Bush Trip Report: An investigation was conducted at the Walden Jewish Cemetery and adjoining field on July 21st and 22nd, 1990. This site has a history of eyewitness and photographic evidence of large object landings, strange radio frequency emissions, and magnetic effects. During the investigation, periodic radio frequency anomalies and magnetic deviations were detected. The equipment used included a radiation survey meter, magnetic field detector, radio frequency detector, and an infra red wave detector. A two-minute period of complete absence of animal and insect sounds was also noted. A more comprehensive report is planned for the next issue, with a second trip to Pine Bush scheduled for September.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing investigation of UFO sightings and alleged encounters, the analysis of physical evidence such as corn circles, and the debunking of hoaxes. The publication maintains a stance of critical inquiry, presenting evidence and expert opinions while also acknowledging the unexplained aspects of many phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on detailed case studies and reports from various locations, both domestic and international. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, balanced with a healthy skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims, as evidenced by the detailed debunking of the South African crash hoax.