MUFON NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

The MUFON Newsletter, Issue #8, dated April 1983, is a publication from the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) focusing on UFO sightings, research, and member activities. The issue originates from Massachusetts, USA, and is in English.

Content Summary

Member Contributions and Research Opportunities The lead article, "What One Member Can Do," addresses a lull in sighting reports and suggests constructive ways for members to contribute to UFOlogy. These include teaching summer courses on UFOs, assisting with data compilation for MUFON's computer file by browsing through Barry's extensive resources, and helping to index Project BlueBook files on microfilm. For those with different skills, there's a need for individuals to type investigation transcripts or hypnosis sessions, and for those with building or artistic skills to design a portable exhibit for UFO shows.

UFO Reports

Boston Sighting: A recent sighting reported via the State Police involved a bright orange glowing light, described as being about the size of the full moon, observed over Warren Towers apartments on Commonwealth Ave. in Boston on March 14, 1983, between 9:44-9:47 p.m. Three witnesses observed the object. Investigator Arthur Lawless suggested it might have been a balloon, noting the sighting occurred on the same evening as the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" was shown on television, raising the possibility of a prank.

Boston University Editorial Response: The newsletter addresses an editorial titled "Low Quality Speakers" published in Boston University's "DAILY FREE PRESS" on February 18, 1983. The editorial targeted Stanton Friedman's lecture on UFOs, characterizing the topic as unintellectual and nonacademic. Walt Webb, representing MUFON's national public information committee, responded to the newspaper, defending the UFO topic and suggesting its future impact on humanity. He also reminded the newspaper that M.I.T. had hosted a MUFON Symposium.

1983 MUFON UFO Symposium

Preparations are underway for the 1983 MUFON International Symposium in Pasadena, California. Representatives from Massachusetts will be selected to attend. Interested individuals are asked to notify the State Director, Marge Christensen, before the May 11 meeting. The newsletter also reminds members that, according to IRS Publication 526, unreimbursed expenses for attending a convention of a qualified organization may be tax-deductible.

• Selected Representatives for Massachusetts:
• Marge Christensen
• David Christensen
• Joseph Santangelo
• Diana Santangelo
• Linda Seal

UFO Evidence

The newsletter references Robert Emenegger's book, "UFO's Past, Present, and Future," and mentions that Emenegger has reportedly revealed that a "fictional" landing of a UFO at Holliman AFB in New Mexico, previously thought to be staged and captured on film, is actually a factual happening with supporting documentation. More details are promised for the April meeting.

Correspondence

• Len Stringfield reports new sources, including medical ones, related to crash-retrieval cases.
• Dick Hall, MUFON Journal editor, announces an article titled "MASSACHUSETTS ABDUCTION CASE WITH SOUTH DAKOTA CONNECTION" will appear in the March issue of the Journal.
• Budd Hopkins hopes to attend the Pasadena Symposium and continues to receive mail about missing time cases.
• David M. Jacobs, author of "THE UFO CONTROVERSY IN AMERICA," plans to visit the Cape this summer and may be writing a second book.
• Larry Fawcett, Connecticut Asst. State Director, filmed television shows in Los Angeles and reports that a planned ABC News report on Kirtland documents has been postponed.
• Walt Andrus, MUFON's International Director, noted that UPI correspondents scheduled for an interview failed to show up.

Notice to Members

Members are asked to assist Barry Greenwood by providing lists of audio tape cassettes containing recordings of UFO programs, especially older ones from the 1950s. Barry would appreciate copies of any programs he doesn't have to complete the MUFON archives. Additionally, Barry is in need of approximately 500 file folders for his extensive collection.

Mystery Sightings on Vermont 36

This section details several UFO sightings reported in Vermont, particularly along Vermont Route 36, during the winter of 1982-1983.

• Aubre Brogden's Sighting: A Bakersfield woman reported seeing a large, white light moving slowly and low in the sky on a clear mid-February night. Initially thought to be a plane, it approached her, and she discerned it was triangular. It hovered about 25 feet from her backyard, making no sound, and was described as having many lights across its bottom and being as large as a football field before moving away noiselessly.

• Jan Marcotte's Sighting: About a month later, Jan Marcotte and other members of a PTA group saw four blinking red lights at different elevations near the same location. The lights disappeared suddenly. While some dismissed it as a jet, the event sparked speculation.

• Marcotte's Previous Experience: Marcotte also recounted seeing a large, not quite circular light on Vermont 36 nine years prior, which she found awe-inspiring.

• Joe Cofelice's Sightings: Joe Cofelice, a Bakersfield barber, reported seeing two lights pacing his car on Town Road 20 (parallel to Vermont 36) on November 10, 1981. The lights shot into the air and later reappeared, blinking, about 200 yards away. He described them as having square wings and round backs, with a half-circle of seven lights in front. Two nights later, he and his fiancée, Laurie, observed similar lights described as "two red-orange balls of fire." A photograph taken by Laurie was sent to the Center for UFO Studies, which noted it showed a round light against a dark background and could not be definitively identified.

• Fairfield Sighting: A Fairfield woman reported seeing "two black swastikas, as big as two large dogs, flying along without any noise" in mid-March 1982.

These incidents, along with reports from Richford and Windsor, contributed to an eerie atmosphere in Franklin County during the winter of 1982, with police and firefighters reportedly discussing strange aerial activities.

Historical Context: The article also touches upon historical sightings in the area, referencing stories from Doris and Lemond Bovat, long-time residents of "Lost Nation." Lemond Bovat described seeing a fast-moving, full moon-like object and a larger, oblong UFO with multi-colored lights. Doris Bovat recalled seeing a rounded, pale orange disc moving fast, which appeared to crash in the woods. She also mentioned local tales of small, round, red lights seen flying around bushes.

Robert Nickson's Account: Robert Nickson, a teacher at Syracuse University, recounted an experience in 1975 where a basketball-sized, round, red light hovered about 15 feet away from him and a friend, making a ticking noise. The object took off after Nickson invited it to come in.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes active participation from its members in advancing the field of UFOlogy, whether through research, data collection, or public education. There is a clear emphasis on documenting and investigating sightings, with a particular focus on cases from Massachusetts and Vermont. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFO phenomena, defending the topic against dismissive criticism, as evidenced by the response to the Boston University editorial. The publication also serves as a hub for information regarding MUFON activities, conferences, and the sharing of resources among members.