Georgia Sky Watch - 2001 Q1 - no 18

Magazine Overview

Title: Georgia Sky Watch
Issue: Number 18
Date: Spring 2001
Publisher: MUFON of Georgia
Document Type: Magazine Issue

State Director's Message

The State Director's Message highlights the progress of MUFON of Georgia in 2001, commending personnel for their investigative work in the previous year. It mentions the recap of a January 3, 2001 occurrence in Fayetteville in the MUFON Journal and announces the conclusion of a new Table of Organization with the appointment of new State Section Directors and Deputy Director positions. The message also promotes an upcoming Dinner Forum on March 31, 2001, featuring former State Director John Thompson of LaGrange, who will share his case experiences and theories related to the Troup-Heard UFO Corridor. This event is described as a potential 'barn burner' and a training session for new investigators, emphasizing the importance of an open mind. Notably, the meeting is restricted to MUFON/ISUR members, their families, and public safety officers, with no media representatives allowed.

The message further addresses the cancellation of the 2002 MUFON Symposium in Atlanta due to the MUFON HQs budget being depleted by moving expenses, preventing the required security deposit and pre-planning expenses from being covered. It mentions that John Schuessler is now searching for a location with less expensive facilities. The organization is exploring a public meeting in Blue Ridge, Georgia, with DD Jim Clifford and FIT Carl Pruett examining possibilities.

What to Carry?

This article by Mary Dee Janssen provides a comprehensive guide for UFO investigators on what to pack in their field bags. It categorizes items into 'must have,' 'useful to have,' and 'dream of having.' Essential items for gathering background information, handwritten reports, and physical evidence include a MUFON Identification Card, MUFON Investigators Manual, paper, pens, pencils, erasers, markers, a ruler, and a clipboard. For documenting sightings, a compass, star finder, tape measure, Farmers Almanac, and a camera are recommended. For physical evidence collection, a magnifying glass, string, tweezers, tape measure, knife, plastic bags (or sterilized glass containers), and disposable polyethylene gloves are suggested. Area maps and a flashlight are also considered essential. The article also lists 'unnecessary' but helpful items like rubber bands, Q-tips, tape, glue sticks, white out, post-it notes, scissors, and a calculator. It strongly recommends using a tape recorder or video camera for interviews and suggests carrying items like binoculars, a flash for the camera, arc indicator, and color charts. For physical evidence gathering in the field, tent stakes, rope, a garden trowel, shovel, brush, steel tape, chalk lines, and Plaster of Paris are mentioned. A first aid kit, personal medications, insect repellent, and a disposable rain coat are advised for personal safety, along with a small toolkit for emergencies.

MUFONGA Updates and e-mail addresses

This section addresses members who may not be receiving the 'Updates' emails, suggesting that their email address may have changed or they haven't provided it. It encourages those who haven't received the first three 2001 updates to send an email to [email protected] to ensure their information is correct.

MUFON of Georgia Reorganization

This section details the reorganization of MUFON of Georgia, effective February 1, 2001. It states that all State Section Director (SSD) positions appointed prior to 1998 are now relieved. New SSDs are appointed with specific Areas of Responsibility (AORs), including Michael D. Hitt (N. Fulton, Cobb, and Cherokee counties), David Brown (N. Gwinnett, Forsyth, and Hall counties), Olivia Newton (S. Gwinnett, Dekalb, and Walton counties), and Mary Dee Janssen (Floyd, Polk, and Bartow counties). Senior FITs completing their studies may also be appointed to SSD positions. The AOR is primarily for administrative matters, but SSDs and Field Investigators (FI) are authorized to investigate anywhere in the state. It emphasizes the importance of notifying the relevant SSD and the State Director (SD) when investigating in another SSD's AOR.

Cylinder Object Seen Hovering in Gwinnett

This article reports on a witness account referred by Peter Davenport of NUFORC. During the late spring of 1999, a 34-year-old medical professional and his wife, residing in Henry County, Georgia, observed a cylinder-shaped object hovering about 30-40 feet above treetops on Ronald Reagan Parkway in Gwinnett County. The object was described as being mostly black on the lower 3/4 and metallic on the upper part, with blunt ends. The witness's wife felt it was rotating. The event lasted about 20 seconds, and the object was gone when they looked again. The witness stated it was not a balloon or blimp. The witness, who has a Bachelor of Science degree and Army Medical Corps experience, will be completing a sketch and personal account. Similar objects have been reported near Peachtree-Dekalb Airport and Stone Mountain Freeway, and extremely bizarre small cylinders were witnessed on Hwy 400 in 1998 by another medical professional.

Large Slab-Like Triangle, "Weathered Gray" Color Spotted Near Heard County Line

This article by John C. Thompson recounts a report from a former Navy mine countermeasures software specialist who observed unusual military helicopter activity in Randolph County, Alabama, seemingly searching for something. On January 29th, the witness saw a large triangle-shaped craft, described as 'weathered gray' on its sides with a darker, possibly concave back. Its thickness was about a quarter of its total length, resembling a wedge cut from a pyramid. It had non-blinking red, yellow, and blue lights on its back, but the bottom was not seen. The craft was estimated to be 150 feet long and 30-40 feet thick, observed at an altitude of less than 1000 feet. It moved at 50-60 mph and was last seen traveling eastward towards the Heard County line. No noise was heard by the witness. The description is compared to a craft seen in St. Clair County, Illinois, thought by some to be a stealth blimp. Inquiries to 911 centers and local sources did not yield reports of other sightings. The article also mentions a separate incident where a woman in northwest Troup County reported military helicopters buzzing her car, with one circling back and diving at her twice.

Weird Georgia

This section reviews a new book titled 'Weird Georgia' by Jim Miles. The reviewer notes that the book seems to draw heavily on information from the ISUR.com website, the GSW, and MUFON SD On-Line Updates. The reviewer expresses concern about the book's accuracy, citing the acknowledgment section where Frank Lorenzo is credited with founding APRO (which the reviewer disputes), the misspelling of Harold T. Wilkins' name, and the characterization of Frank Edwards' books as 'less respectable.' The reviewer concludes with a 'Caveat Emptor!' warning.

Those Mysterious Chemtrails - What Do They Mean?

This article by David M. Brown explores the phenomenon of chemtrails, distinguishing them from regular vapor trails. The author notes that researchers tend to believe these trails are chemical sprays with sinister unknowns. He observes that when skies are filled with chemtrails, the weather often changes within two days, bringing rain or snow. The article references historical attempts to spray clouds to produce rain, which sometimes resulted in dangerous weather. It also mentions a witness who saw small, distinguishable craft (UFOs) at the end of some chemtrails, suggesting a link between the two phenomena. The article questions whether chemtrails affect health, noting reports of increased respiratory infections where they appear, and points out that the U.S. Air Force claims contrails are harmless. It explores theories connecting chemtrails to alien races, suggesting they might be a form of alien vaccine or a 'crop circle' in the sky. The author shares his personal experience of observing numerous aircraft flying unusual patterns and hopes the government will provide an explanation.

MUFON of Georgia Dinner Forum

This section provides details for the MUFON of Georgia Dinner Forum scheduled for Saturday, March 31, 2001, at 3:00 PM in Newnan, Georgia, at the Golden Coral Steak & Buffet. The event is open to MUFONGA-ISUR members, their family/significant other or friend, public safety officers, and supporters. John Thompson will be the featured speaker, discussing recent activity in the Troup-Heard UFO Corridor and sharing 'tricks of the trade' for Field Investigators (FIs) and Field Investigation Teams (FITs). John Bodin Sr. is congratulated for passing the MUFON Field Investigator's exam. The article notes that John Thompson is considered a legend in the southeast, with a background in Geology, petroleum and uranium exploration, and is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Controversial topics may be discussed, and media will not be allowed. Directions to the venue are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO investigation, organizational updates within MUFON of Georgia, and specific sighting reports. There is a strong emphasis on the practical aspects of investigation, as seen in the 'What to Carry?' article and the promotion of John Thompson's training session. The reorganization of MUFONGA suggests a focus on structured operations and defined responsibilities. The inclusion of the chemtrails article indicates an interest in exploring contemporary aerial phenomena and their potential connections to UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, encouraging members to be well-equipped and informed, while maintaining a critical perspective on external information, as evidenced by the review of 'Weird Georgia.' The newsletter serves as a platform for sharing information, fostering community, and advancing the field of UFO research within Georgia.