MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 040

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MINNESOTA MUFON Newsletter, dated March/April 1993 (Issue #40), is presented by the State Director, Richard Moss. The newsletter covers upcoming MUFON meetings, membership information, and various articles detailing UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, and related phenomena.

From the State Director

Richard Moss, State Director, discusses the upcoming MUFON meetings, noting that the April meeting has been moved to Saturday, April 17th, to avoid conflict with Easter. He announces that subscriptions to the newsletter will now be on a calendar year basis, with a prorated fee for those joining later in the year. Moss also addresses questions about becoming a Field Investigator, explaining the process involves studying the Field Investigator's Manual and passing a test, coordinated through Shirley Coyne of Michigan MUFON. He expresses a goal to expand MUFON awareness in Minnesota by visiting towns and aims to establish Section Directors in each county. The upcoming film 'Fire in the Sky,' based on the Travis Walton experience, is mentioned, with Wayne McCloud assisting in its promotion. Moss also notes that free posters for the film are available at the March meeting.

MINNESOTA MUFON Meetings

Announcements are made for two upcoming meetings at The Irish Well in St. Paul: Saturday, March 13, 1993, and Saturday, April 17, 1993 (the third Saturday of April). Both meetings include social time from 1:00-1:30 p.m. and the main meeting from 1:30-5:30 p.m.

The Chesapeake Connection & The Jim Harber Story

An excerpt from a presentation by Robert Oechsler to the 1989 MUFON Symposium in Las Vegas is included, titled 'The Chesapeake Connection.' This section introduces the story of Jim Harber, who as an eleven-year-old boy in the summer of 1949, witnessed a large, domed object covered by a tarp on a flat car of a train in Newbern, Tennessee. The trainman claimed the object came from New Mexico and was being transported to Washington. Jim climbed under the tarp and described the object as 'real slick,' gray, and shaped like two inverted bowls, approximately fourteen feet in diameter, resting on three legs. The story details the potential cross-country route the object might have taken. The narrative continues on page 2 and 3, where Jim describes the object's sharp edge, the large fasteners used on the ropes, and his father's dismissive reaction to his story. Jim's account resurfaced recently after he responded to one of Bob Oechsler's regular UFO radio broadcasts.

The Story of Emm

Written by William I. McNeff, this article details the research and personal sightings of a woman referred to as 'Emm,' who shared accounts of ET activity in west central Minnesota. Emm, who works at a nursing home and counsels rape victims, described experiences of frightened individuals who intuitively seek her out. Examples include a farmer who sees an 'upside-down muffin tin' shaped craft annually since 1930, and another farmer who saw a craft 3/4 of a mile long. A well driller in New York Mills witnessed a saucer-like craft with beams of light entering a home, leaving a smell of burnt wiring. These individuals later attributed their experiences to the devil. Emm also recounted a story of a woman who encountered three 'little men' (18-26 inches tall) with large heads and eyes, who were offered food. Emm shared her own experiences, including a childhood incident where her mother removed a BB-like pellet from under her skin, and a later event involving a violent nosebleed. She also described seeing a round light that maneuvered and pulsed. Emm, now 57, has been a Sunday school teacher and caregiver, and has experienced prophetic dreams and nine appearances of a white dove. In March 1990, she witnessed a round, red, fire-like object that transformed into a 20-foot conical craft with shimmering colors, followed by a larger 'mother ship.' The article promises more of Emm's story in the next issue.

Close Encounters of the 5th Kind: Contact in Southern England, July '92

This section, submitted by Joe Dundovic, discusses an interpretive report by Dr. Steven Greer, MD, regarding crop circle formations in southern England. Dr. Greer and researcher Colin Andres concluded the circles were of intelligent, non-human origin, suggesting extraterrestrial attempts to communicate. A CSETI research investigation in England involved staying in fields for ten days. On July 26th/27th, the team confirmed a close-range lock-on with a structured spacecraft. Brilliant lights appeared in the clouds, followed by four elliptical shapes that joined to form a larger spinning cartwheel. The team felt electrostatic effects. As rain began, Dr. Greer and others moved to a different area where another person reported a spaceship approaching. They witnessed a large, disk-shaped craft with brilliant rotating lights, described as a 'Christmas tree,' about 30 feet off the ground and 400 yards away. The craft was estimated to be over 100 feet in diameter. Dr. Greer's magnetic compass malfunctioned during the event. The article concludes that this was a close encounter of the 5th kind, with interactive components, and suggests that as the world moves towards global unity, the potential for open relationships with extraterrestrials will increase.

We've got his number...

This section announces the launch of Steve Beatty's 24-hour SAUCER WATCH hot line (525-SAUC(ER)) for reporting UFO/ET sightings. The information is confidential and affiliated with MUFON. Ideas to promote the hot line are welcomed.

Cattle Mutilations in Alabama

Steve Beatty reported on cattle mutilations in northern Alabama, with at least 31 incidents occurring in the past five months. WVTM-TV and several newspapers covered the story. A rancher described the cuts as clean, like from a sharp knife or razor. Reports of strange, unmarked black helicopters were confirmed in the areas of the mutilations. A videotape taken in DeKalb County showed a UFO nearly identical to one seen in Belgium, and the county sheriff verified the object's presence in the sky. The Stealth bomber was ruled out. Odyssey headquarters received a videotape showing five cows with 'classic mutilations'—no blood, surgical cuts, and removed organs. One cow was bloody, possibly due to predators. Veterinarian Michael Brown dismissed claims of alien aircraft and mutilations, suggesting cults or teenagers were responsible, which was met with a sarcastic response.

Dick and Jane see Spot (Not!)

This section provides a list of recommended books on UFOs and related topics, including 'Angels And Aliens' by Keith Thompson, 'Confrontations' by Jacques Vallee, and 'UFO Crash at Roswell' by Kevin Randle and Donald Schmitt. Readers are invited to share their own recommendations.

FIRE IN THE SKY

This article promotes the upcoming film 'Fire in the Sky,' based on the true story of Travis Walton. It describes the events of November 5, 1975, when a group of loggers in Arizona encountered a bright light, and Travis Walton, despite warnings, approached it and was struck by energy, disappearing for five days. His companions reported an encounter with a UFO. Walton's reappearance and his recollections of being aboard an alien craft brought international attention to Snowflake, Arizona. The article poses the question of whether the men's account, if true, is too incredible to be believed. The film, produced by Paramount Pictures and directed by Robert Lieberman, was set to be released on Friday, March 12.

One of these days, ...we've got to get organized!

Treasurer Terri Lester has created a new subscriber list. The newsletter announces that subscriptions will now be on a calendar year basis, with adjustments for those who subscribe mid-year. The subscription rate is $10.00 per year, and the price may be raised to $12.00 in the future due to printing and postage costs. To save on production and postage, only one newsletter will be sent to 'potential' subscribers. Instructions are provided for subscribing, including sending $6.50 to Terri Lester for the remainder of 1993, and making checks payable to MINNESOTA MUFON.

Paranormal Studies Meetings

Announcements for Paranormal Studies Meetings at The Irish Well are listed for Saturday, March 27, 1993 (Topic: Past Lives) and Saturday, April 24, 1993 (Topic: TBD). Contact Wally Moe for questions.

MINNESOTA MUFON Staff

A list of key personnel for Minnesota MUFON is provided: Richard Moss (State Director), William McNeff (Asst. State Director), Walter Moe (Director Paranormal Studies), Barbara Boyle (Director Support Group), Terri Lester (Treasurer), and Lynn Bell (Editor, Newsletter). Contact information is also given for reporting sightings (Buddy Bauerlein), SAUCER WATCH, and Dick Moss (State Director).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on UFO sightings, alleged alien encounters, and related phenomena, reflecting a strong interest in the unexplained. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and information sharing within the UFO community, encouraging participation and investigation. There is a clear effort to document personal accounts, scientific investigations (like CSETI's), and public awareness initiatives (like the Travis Walton film promotion). The publication also addresses practical matters for the organization, such as subscription management and the recruitment of field investigators.