MUFON Michigan Newsletter - 1999 09

Magazine Overview

The Michigan MUFON Newsletter, dated September 1999, is a publication from the Mutual UFO Network's Michigan chapter. The issue features updates from the State Director, details on membership and finances, reports on local and international MUFON events, and a case file from Michigan.

Words from the State Director

Rich McVannel, the State Director, reports positively on the move of state meetings to Walli's Restaurant in Flint, noting increased attendance and improved communication. He highlights that despite a general trend of declining membership worldwide, Michigan MUFON has maintained approximately 130 members for several years. The number of dues-paying members has increased by about 15% in the last twelve months, reaching 84. McVannel also proudly mentions that Michigan had the largest delegation, twenty people, at the MUFON International Symposium in Arlington, VA, with ten of those attendees being in the 20-30 age group, indicating a younger segment within the membership.

Membership and Dues Update

Due to increased expenses for producing and mailing the newsletter, as well as other operational costs, the Michigan MUFON Board of Directors has voted to raise the annual dues to $18.00 per household per year. A new policy has been instituted for dues payment: all dues are now payable on an annual basis on January 1st. For renewals, the cost is $18.00 from January 1 to December 31. New members or those rejoining after an absence will also pay $18.00 annually, but can pay a prorated amount of $9.00 if joining after May 1st. This prorated option is intended to encourage new membership mid-year. The previous practice of prorating dues after May 1st was sometimes exploited by members delaying payment to get the newsletter for half price, which the board deemed unfair to those who paid on time.

New Newsletter Editor

Bill Konkolesky has been appointed as the new Newsletter Editor. He was responsible for editing and printing the previous May/June newsletter and received praise for his work. Members are encouraged to send any noteworthy or newsworthy information directly to Bill.

Michigan UFO Files: Mason Mystery Lights

This section details a sighting by a Mason, Michigan couple in late April 1999. While relaxing in a hot tub, the husband, identified as 'Jack', observed seven white lights in a 'V' formation approaching from the southeast at a low altitude. As the lights passed directly overhead, the formation changed to a straight line. He noted no surrounding mass and heard no sound. The lights then winked out. About fifteen minutes later, the same or similar lights appeared again, this time in a straight line from the outset. His wife, 'Jill', also observed them and was certain no bodies were attached. The couple, described as sincere and conservative, were reticent to have their names used. Police officer Ed Hude, a former MUFON member, was approached by Jack, who then contacted Michigan Chief Investigator Dan Wright for an interview. Hude had confirmed no other reports were made to local law enforcement. Wright concludes that the event remains inexplicable.

Results of the 1999 Michigan MUFON Members Survey

Twenty-three individuals responded to the survey included in the May 1999 newsletter. A universal theme from the comments was the goal of togetherness. The survey results indicate that 'Abductions' were the most intriguing topic for members, followed by 'Sightings', 'General Interest', 'Government', and 'Ancient History'. Other topics of interest included physics applied to phenomena, crop circles, and animal mutilations.

MUFON Does Well & Room for Improvement

Selected comments from the survey highlighted that Michigan MUFON meetings are well-organized, the newsletter is informative, and speakers are knowledgeable. Members also felt that Rich McVannel encourages involvement and that MUFON provides contact with like-minded individuals. Flint was cited as a great meeting location.

Areas for improvement focused on the desire for more interaction between meetings, more frequent meetings, organizing sky watches, establishing abductee support groups, and increasing audience participation. Some members suggested meetings at members' homes for more personal discussions and publishing lists of members in each community.

In response to these suggestions, members are encouraged to introduce themselves to their State Section Directors to organize local gatherings. The newsletter will continue to inform members of local sightings and experiences, and field investigator training will be offered during meetings. There is currently little new information on physical trace cases.

Michigan MUFON Contact List

A comprehensive list of State Section Directors is provided, organized by county, along with their contact information. The list also includes state officers such as the State Director (Rich McVannel), Assistant State Directors (Bob Wagel, Jerry Kulka), Chief Investigator (Dan Wright), Webmaster (Randy Baker), Librarian (Kathy Yates), Newsletter Editor (Bill Konkolesky), and MUFON Consultant (Harry Willnus). Members are asked to be patient when calling and to leave clear messages. The newsletter also requests members to provide their email addresses for future communication.

Speakers Requested by Members

Members voted on speakers they would like to see at MUFON meetings. David Caywood & Dan Wright each received 3 votes, Linda Moulton Howe received 3 votes, and Dr. David Jacobs, Stanton Friedman, & Dr. John Levengood each received 2 votes. Dan Wright will continue to offer field investigator training, and David Jacobs is scheduled to speak to Michigan MUFON on October 10th.

The Michigan MUFON Newsletter is Looking for Contribution

The newsletter is seeking contributions from members, asking them to share when they first realized the UFO phenomenon was truly anomalous. Contributions can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the MIMUFON Newsletter address.

The 1999 MUFON International SYMPOSIUM

This section provides a report on the 1999 MUFON International Symposium held in Arlington, Virginia, from July 2-4. The event was described as educational and entertaining, with a significant Michigan member presence. Vendors offered books and videos, and an art gallery featured the work of David Huggins and Betty Luca. The report highlights several speakers:

• Richard H. Hall spoke on "Fifty Years of UFO Politics & Discomfort Zones," emphasizing respectability and noting that scientists have their own biases.
• Jenny Randles discussed "A Walk on the Weird Side," challenging basic assumptions in ufology and questioning if there is one answer to all phenomena.
• Betty Ann Luca reviewed the physical make-up and behavior of 'grays,' suggesting they might be machinations or autistic, exhibiting repetitive behavior and mathematical inclination.
• Bruce Maccabee, Ph.D. presented on "Immediate Saucer Alert: The Mystery of December 6, 1950," and other investigations. He discussed a 1950 sighting, a Phoenix case with photo evidence suggesting lost time, and a daylight disc sighting, while also deeming the Mexico City footage a hoax.
• Kelly Cahill spoke about her book "Encounter," detailing an event where she and other witnesses saw a massive UFO descend on an Australian highway in 1993. She also spoke at a brunch promoting her book.
• Robert P. Swiatek reviewed the 1952 Washington National Airport Sightings.

Rich and Brenda McVannel were pictured enjoying their 4th of July at the event.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes MUFON's mission of scientific collection and analysis of UFO/Abduction data. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry and information sharing within the UFO community. Recurring themes include membership engagement, financial stability of the organization, the importance of local chapters and meetings, and the reporting and investigation of UFO sightings. The newsletter also reflects a desire to understand the UFO phenomenon and its implications, encouraging member participation and contributions.

Title: Michigan MUFON Newsletter
Issue Date: May, 1999
Publisher: Michigan MUFON
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the Michigan MUFON Newsletter features a collection of articles and reports from the field of UFOlogy, with a particular focus on abduction phenomena, extraterrestrial contact, and ongoing investigations.

Key Articles and Reports

"A 1961 Car Levitation UFO Abduction Case"

Budd Hopkins' speech on a 1961 UFO abduction case was warmly received by symposium attendees. Hopkins emphasized the importance of identifying the behaviors of UFO operators, humorously criticizing past investigations for focusing too much on the craft's 'license plate' rather than the 'crime.' He also highlighted his new area of study: the phenomenon of invisibility during abductions.

"The Truth: The UFO Philosophy of Joe Firmage"

Joe Firmage, founder and former CEO of USWeb Corporation, promoted his new creation, the International Space Sciences Organization. He believes a major organization is needed to champion cutting-edge cosmological discoveries, including UFO investigation, as neither science nor religion is fully prepared to accept UFOlogy. Firmage quipped about the advanced propulsion methods an extraterrestrial civilization might possess.

"Alien Abductions: Perception and the Mental Health Establishment"

Dr. S. Peter Resta, Ph.D., reviewed how abduction phenomena are covered by psychological sciences. He noted that while abduction stories are appearing in textbooks, they are often presented negatively. Resta also mentioned that psychologists supportive of abductees' accounts risk being sued for contributing to false-memory syndrome.

"Alien Orchestrated Human Bonding Dramas"

Eve Frances Lorgen, M.A., discussed cases where aliens have seemingly orchestrated romances between individuals. Her book on the topic, "The Love Bite," is available at www.arkives.com.

"Talking Back – To Aliens and to Humans"

Beverly J. Trout reprised her discussion on the dichotomy of human-alien relations, introducing the "repulsion-fascination syndrome." This syndrome describes abductees' mixed feelings of outrage and enchantment towards aliens, who simultaneously frighten and impress them.

"What's New in UFO Abductions? Has the Story Changed in 30 Years"

Dr. Thomas Eddie Bullard, Ph.D., presented his study comparing abduction data since 1966. He concluded that despite different authors emphasizing various factors, the core abduction cases remain remarkably similar when stripped of names and details.

"Star Travel? Yes!"

Stanton T. Friedman, M.S., stated his major conclusions since 1947: Earth is being visited by extraterrestrial spacecraft, the UFO subject is a 'Cosmic Watergate,' and negative arguments against these points are weak. He believes advanced civilizations could travel easily through the cosmos, implying that technologically superior aliens have likely already visited Earth.

Panel (Question and Answer Session)

The 1999 MUFON International Symposium concluded successfully with a Q&A session. The event was described as an exquisite production, highlighting the value of connecting with like-minded individuals. Deputy Director of Investigations, Dan Wright, noted that such symposiums 'recharge your batteries.'

"Encounter, by Kelly Cahill. Sydney, Australia: Harper Collins Publishers, 1996. Paperback. 239 pp."

This is a review by Bill Konkolesky of Kelly Cahill's book "Encounter." The book is a personal account of a close encounter and other unusual happenings in Cahill's life. Konkolesky notes that Cahill blends paranormal experiences with daily life, similar to Whitley Strieber's work. He points out that Cahill sometimes portrays herself as naive while also appearing knowledgeable about UFO phenomena. The review also mentions that other witnesses to the highway encounter are not detailed until late in the book. The book is described as personal rather than deeply scientific.

"Use Your Home Computer to Assist The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence"

This article by J.W. explains the SETI@home project, a distributed computing initiative that uses participants' home computers to analyze radio telescope data for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence. It highlights the benefits of leaving computers on and how the SETI@home screensaver contributes to scientific research.

"From the Editor's Desk: Six Eyewitnesses Encounter Flying Squirrels Over Northern Michigan!!!"

Bill Konkolesky recounts an experience where he and friends saw flying squirrels in Michigan. He details the dismissive reactions he received from co-workers and friends, who suggested they might have seen bats or chipmunks. This experience leads him to question why people are so resistant to accepting unusual phenomena, drawing a parallel to the difficulty in accepting the idea of UFOs and abductions.

"Daryl Stangl Speaks at May MUFON Meeting"

Bill Konkolesky reports on Daryl Stangl's presentation at a Michigan MUFON meeting. Stangl, an abductee, discussed the challenges of reconciling his experiences with a conservative Catholic upbringing. He advised abductees to stay rooted in their human world and not to oversimplify the complexity of the UFO phenomena. Stangl also helps other abductees through his organization, "BRIDGES."

"Palmiro Campagna to Speak at September Meeting"

Randy Baker introduces Palmiro Campagna, who will speak about Ottawa's secret files, government cover-ups, and the Canadian connection to the UFO phenomenon. Campagna, who works for the Department of National Defence, has written books on UFOs and electromagnetics.

"Dan Wright: Chairman of the Committee"

Dan Wright has been selected to chair a committee to guide MUFON, International into the 21st century, focusing on long-range objectives, bylaws, and organizational restructuring. Due to his busy schedule, Wright will be unable to prepare a Field Investigator's Training lesson for the upcoming meeting.

"A Few Words on Upcoming Meetings"

Rich McVannel provides details on upcoming Michigan MUFON meetings, including dates, locations, and reservation information. He announces Dr. David Jacobs as a speaker for the October 10, 1999 meeting in Ann Arbor. Meeting dates for March and May 2000 are also listed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Michigan MUFON Newsletter consistently promotes UFO investigation and awareness. The articles cover a range of topics from personal experiences and eyewitness accounts to scientific research and psychological interpretations of UFO phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on encouraging members to engage with the subject matter, attend meetings, and contribute to the ongoing search for understanding. The newsletter also highlights the challenges faced by researchers and experiencers in gaining acceptance for their findings and experiences, particularly from mainstream science and psychology. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, critical thinking, and a commitment to exploring the UFO phenomenon in its various facets.

This document comprises several pages from the Michigan MUFON Newsletter, primarily from the May 1999 issue, with some content referencing later dates in 1999. It details upcoming MUFON meetings, special lectures, and includes a crossword puzzle related to the Roswell incident. The newsletter serves as a communication channel for the Mutual UFO Network and its members in Michigan.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

September 19th, 1999 Meeting

The newsletter announces that Michigan MUFON meetings in 1999 are held at Walli's Restaurant in Flint. A specific meeting is scheduled for Sunday, September 19th, 1999, at this location. The schedule of events for this meeting includes:

• 12:00 PM: Walli's Buffet Brunch
• 1:30 PM: General Meeting with Guest Speaker Palmiro Campagna
• 3:45 PM: MIMUFON Announcements and Necessary Business

Notably, there is no Field Investigators Training scheduled for this particular meeting. Contact information for Walli's Restaurant is provided: G146 W. Pierson Rd, Flint, Michigan, (810) 789-9167. Directions are also given, indicating it is off Exit 122 of I-75, at the NW Corner of W. Pierson & Dolan.

Special October Lecture by Dr. David Jacobs

A significant event highlighted is a "Special October Lecture for Michigan MUFON by Dr. David Jacobs," scheduled for Sunday, October 10, 1999, at Weber's Inn in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. David M. Jacobs is described as a professor and abduction researcher. He is an Associate Professor of History at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Director of the International Center for Abduction Research. His expertise lies in the social and cultural history of the United States during the Twentieth century, with a pioneering role in UFO research and the abduction phenomenon. Since 1978, he has taught the only regularly scheduled undergraduate university course on UFOs in the country. Dr. Jacobs is the author of controversial abduction books such as "Secret Life" and "The Threat." The announcement encourages members to attend this lecture, which includes a fine lunch before the presentation.

The event details for Dr. David Jacobs' lecture are:

• DATE: October 10, 1999
• TIME: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• LOCATION: Weber's Inn, 3050 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI
• COST: $16.00 per person (includes lunch, lecture, and information package)
• RESERVE EARLY CALL: 231-582-7097 or 810-650-5068

A map to Weber's Inn in Ann Arbor is provided, along with directions for arriving from various directions (West, North, East, South) and a list of places to visit in Ann Arbor.

Roswell Crossword Puzzle

Page 4 features a "Crossword Puzzle" themed around "Roswell," compiled by Bill Konkolesky. The puzzle includes clues related to the Roswell incident, such as actors who played Major Marcel in the Showtime movie "Roswell," alleged bribes to rancher Mac Brazel, Michigan MUFON members and authors, witnesses, Air Force bases, and official government explanations. Clues also reference Jesse Marcel Jr., Stanton Friedman, Whitley Strieber, and the Majestic 12 group. The puzzle aims to test readers' knowledge of the Roswell crash and its associated figures and events.

Contact and Subscription Information

Page 5 provides contact details for Michigan MUFON, including a P.O. Box in Eastport, Michigan, a telephone number (231) 582-7097, an email address ([email protected]), and a website (http://www.geocities.com/~mimufon). A "NOTICE" section clarifies that the newsletter is for MUFON members and that articles do not necessarily reflect official views. It also states that articles may be reprinted in other newsletters with proper credit.

Furthermore, a "MICHIGAN MUFON 2000 STATE DUES and NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION FORM" is included. For $18.00, individuals can become members or subscribe to the newsletter for the 2000 calendar year. The form requests personal information such as name, address, city, state/province, zip code, phone number, and email/website. It also asks if the applicant is a member of the Mutual UFO Network, Inc. and if they wish to receive the newsletter via email.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO and UAP investigations, the abduction phenomenon, and historical UFO incidents like Roswell. The editorial stance appears to be informative and community-focused, aiming to educate members and facilitate discussion within the Michigan MUFON organization. The newsletter actively promotes upcoming meetings and lectures by prominent researchers in the field, encouraging participation and engagement from its readership. The inclusion of a crossword puzzle suggests an effort to make the content engaging and interactive for members.