MUFON Massachusetts - Newsletter - 34 - 1986 09

Magazine Overview

This is the September 1986 issue, number 34, of the MUFON NEWSLETTER, published by MUTUAL UFO NETWORK, INC. The newsletter is based in Massachusetts and covers various aspects of UFO research and related phenomena.

Forum Recap and Acknowledgements

The "Thanks" section acknowledges several members who were instrumental in making a recent Forum a success. These include Jules Vallaincourt and Steve Firmani for assembling the panel display; Rick Giordano, Joan Nestor, and Diana DeSimone for transporting participants; Joanne Bruno and Joe Santangelo for organizing the registration desk; Barry Greenwood for his resources, materials, and recording of presentations; Al Smith for his work as projectionist; and Joe Nyman for manning the case report table. Forum tapes are available for $5.00 each from Mass. MUFON.

• The newsletter lists the speakers and their presentation titles from the Forum:
• Richard Haines: "Inflight Disappearance of Frederick Valentich"
• Dr. Bruce Maccabee: "Skeptical of the Skeptics!"
• Budd Hopkins: "Four Recently Investigated Minnesota Abduction Reports"
• Philip Imbrugno: "The Hudson Valley UFO Mystery"
• Dan Wright: "UFO Reports and Michigan Weather"
• Dr. David Jacobs: Moderator and Summation for the Panel Discussion.

Walter Webb is slated to write an article for the MUFON journal, which will include details about a presentation by the Argentinian Center for UFO Studies and their advancements in ufology. The Forum was attended by representatives from 16 states, including 7 state directors, and received newspaper and TV coverage.

Project Moon dust

Rick Giordano has extracted documents from the Defense Intelligence Agency through FOIA requests. These documents reportedly detail government involvement in the retrieval of objects reentering the atmosphere, such as "unknowns, Soviet satellites, space junk, etc." The newsletter anticipates more findings from Rick in the future.

Members Notice and Meetings

A notice informs members that the board is meeting concerning a request for monthly meetings to be held at the Christ Lutheran Church hall in Belmont. A decision is expected shortly. A Section Director meeting is scheduled for September 14 at 2:00 p.m. at Barry Greenwood's house.

Dues Reminder

Members are reminded that 1987 dues are due by November 1, 1986. The cost is $10.00 for a single membership and $15.00 per couple.

Radio-TV Log

• This section logs appearances by MUFON members on various media outlets:
• Barry Greenwood was on WPBR's "Let's Talk" in Palm Beach, FL, on July 25.
• A documentary featuring Phil Imbrugno aired on WBZ-TV 4 on July 28.
• Jim Melesciuc appeared on WMJX radio's "Boston Lifestyle" on August 3, and WBZ radio's Ron Robin show on August 2.
• Budd Hopkins was on WBCN radio on August 10.
• WNEV-TV aired Forum interviews by Dr. David Jacobs, Barry Greenwood, and Michigan State Director Shirley Coyne on August 10, during the 6:00 and 11:00 p.m. newscasts.

Workshop Announcement

Joe Nyman will conduct a workshop during the next MUFON meeting in October focusing on the regression process used in abduction cases. The workshop is designed to train investigators due to the increasing number of abduction cases and the relative scarcity of experienced investigators in this field.

Letter from Michigan MUFON

Shirley Coyne, State Director for Michigan MUFON, writes to express thanks to Mass. MUFON for selling their items at the Beverly Forum. She notes that Michigan MUFON is still recovering financially after the Symposium. She expresses enjoyment of the Forum and anticipates returning in 1988, missing the attendees in the interim. She also looks forward to the 1987 MUFON Symposium in Washington, D.C. The letter mentions some recent activity in Michigan, including good sightings in July and August and one possible abduction case.

Announcing MUFON Stickers

Mass. MUFON has bumper stickers available for $2.50 each, with the slogan "UFOS ARE REAL. ASK THE GOVERMENT". They feature a blue background with gold lettering. A baker's dozen is also available.

Tidbit

This short piece debunks the myth that lightning never strikes the same place twice, citing National Wildlife magazine and scientists who believe certain areas are prone to repeated strikes, using Cape Canaveral, Florida, as an example.

CAUS (Center for UFO Studies) Report

CAUS members are investigating a potential link between the development of the Stealth aircraft and past UFO cases. They note that UFOs have historically been observed from the ground but not detected by radar, suggesting government knowledge of radar-proof saucer designs that may have influenced projects like the AVRO saucer. CAUS believes this connection could have dramatically altered technological history and promises more details in their next newsletter.

Reports: Mysterious Light Incident

An Associated Press report from August 13, 1986, details hundreds of people reporting a mysterious light in the night sky across the eastern US. Officials could not identify the phenomenon as an aircraft, rocket, or meteor shower. Robert Gribble of the National UFO Reporting Center stated they received over 100 calls from a large region, estimating the light was at least 100 miles high. Workers at Cape Kennedy, NORAD, and NASA confirmed no launches occurred that day. In Buffalo, WGR radio received numerous calls, with witnesses describing a luminous cloud, a spiral shape, or a gas cloud. A commercial pilot also observed the lights, which registered on Syracuse airport's primary radar. Experts speculate the event might have been related to a Japanese rocket launch that dumped surplus fuel into the upper atmosphere, creating a spiral and luminous cloud.

Dazzling Light Show Puzzles Astronomers

This article, from USA TODAY on August 14, 1986, reports on a spectacular light show east of the Mississippi that baffled astronomers. Brenda Newton of Rochester, NY, described it as "the scariest thing I ever saw, but it was pretty; all white." Syracuse air traffic controller Tim Jones saw three lights (red, green, and white) hover and move randomly. Canadian astronomer Karl Kamper observed a star-like light surrounded by a spiral cloud. In Kentucky, a loud boom rattled houses. Theories for the event included the annual Perseid meteor shower, "space trash," or fuel from a satellite.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings, abduction cases, and the investigation of these phenomena by MUFON members and affiliated organizations. There's an emphasis on sharing information, training new investigators, and reporting on media appearances by members. The inclusion of "Project Moon dust" suggests an interest in government secrecy and involvement in UFO-related matters. The CAUS report indicates a forward-looking approach, linking historical UFO observations to modern technological developments. The overall stance appears to be one of active investigation, information dissemination, and a belief in the significance of UFO phenomena, encouraging public awareness and participation.