MUFON Massachusetts - Newsletter - 05 - 1983 01

Magazine Overview

Title: Mass. MUFON NEWS LETTER
Issue: #5
Date: January, 1983

This issue of the Massachusetts chapter of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) newsletter focuses on the organization's objectives for 1983, updates on personnel, recent UFO activity, and international news.

Goals for 1983

The newsletter outlines eight key goals for MUFON in 1983. These include:

1. Bi-monthly Section Director Meetings: To address administrative matters separately from the main group meetings, allowing more time for scheduled topics.
2. Computerized Case Files: Section Directors will input monthly data on cases under investigation, creating a continuously updated computer file for monthly print-outs.
3. Informative Meetings: Programs will be planned by Section Directors to be informative, instructional, and interesting, with case material discussed while respecting witness confidentiality.
4. Investigator Training Workshops: New investigators will be trained by Section Directors in their local areas through workshops, rather than during monthly meetings.
5. Public Education and Outreach: Emphasis will be placed on public education and information endeavors, potentially including a portable UFO exhibit for shopping malls, possibly in conjunction with the release of a book by Barry Greenwood and Larry Fawcett.
6. Membership Policy: A priority will be to formalize a new policy for accepting new members and investigators.
7. Resource Material Computerization: Exploring the possibility of utilizing volunteer computer experts to create a computer file of all resource materials from the historian, Barry Greenwood.
8. Funding Investigative Expenses: If the 1983 Magazine Drive is successful, guidelines may be developed for funding certain investigative expenses for investigators.

Personnel Updates and Volunteer Needs

New Section Directors: Effective immediately, changes have been made to the State Section Directors. Arthur Lawless is the new director for Norfolk County, and Paul Smythe is the new director for Suffolk County. Other Section Directors listed are Barry Greenwood (Middlesex), Jules Vaillancourt (Worcester), Dave Downs (Bristol), and Linda Seal (Essex).

Volunteer Needed for "UFOREFRESH": Diana Santangelo, the Refreshment Chairperson, is seeking a volunteer to take over her duties after a year in the role. She is willing to share her methods, which involve notifying four people per meeting for refreshments.

1983 Dues Reminder: Members are reminded that 1983 dues are still outstanding for some individuals. These funds support the hot-line, newsletter, and church costs.

Bulletin: OSI Document Received

Barry Greenwood has received a significant document from the OSI, obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request. The document, dated 1980, pertains to UFO activity over Kirtland AFB in New Mexico. Interested parties are directed to contact Barry Greenwood for details.

News from Zimbabwe

Cynthia Hind, MUFON's Coordinator for Africa, reports on a case in Zimbabwe involving Black Africans who claim to have seen entities on the ground in connection with a UFO sighting. One individual initially thought he was seeing ancestral spirits. Cynthia intends to write up this case for the MUFON Journal. She also notes shortages in Zimbabwe, particularly of photographic paper, making it difficult to obtain copies of photographs. Additionally, Cynthia investigated a case with horse-shoe markings on the ground, similar to those seen in Ipswich, UK, on January 1, 1981. Cynthia hopes to visit the USA again in 1984.

Recent UFO Activity

Reports detail significant UFO activity in the Hampton, New Hampshire, and Amesbury, Massachusetts areas between September 30, 1982, and December 22, 1982.

• September 30 and November 17, 1982 (Hampton, NH): Huge, oval-shaped crafts were sighted, ringed with red and white lights. They were described as noiseless.
• December 22, 1982 (Amesbury, MA): A witness reported sighting two huge, oval-shaped crafts over the Merrimac River. The objects were orange in the center with a white border and were noiseless. The witness observed them for about three minutes before they disappeared.
• October 20 and 21, 1982 (Enfield, CT): Witnesses reported a "monstrosity of a disk," described as circular with lights. It emitted a low-pitched grinding noise that stopped when the lights went off. The craft, initially silvery, turned flaming red and shot straight up.

Take Note: Resources

• Astronomical Information: For daily astronomical data, including visible planets, stars, eclipses, and meteor showers, call the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's EARTH SPACE INFORMATION at 491-1497. This is a weekly updated recording.
• Weather Information: For weather data needed for MUFON Case Form #1, call the U.S. WEATHER BUREAU at 223-3110 and ask for Historical Weather Data. The date, temperature, wind speed, ceiling, and visibility will be required.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter reflects MUFON's ongoing commitment to investigating UFO phenomena, improving organizational efficiency through technology and structured training, and engaging the public. The editorial stance is proactive, aiming to formalize procedures, enhance data collection, and potentially secure funding for investigative work. There is a clear emphasis on systematic investigation and the importance of member contributions, both through dues and volunteer efforts. The inclusion of international news from Zimbabwe and specific case reports from various US locations highlights the broad scope of MUFON's interests.