MUFON Minnesota Journal - No 071

Magazine Overview

This issue of the MINNESOTA MUFON Newsletter, dated May/June 1998 and identified as Issue #71, features a cover headline 'From the State Director' and focuses on various aspects of UFO research and related topics.

The 1940 Wardena Case

The lead article, 'From the State Director,' details a presentation by Warren P. Aston at the 1997 MUFON Symposium concerning the '1940 Wardena Case.' Aston, who has researched UFOs for twenty years and operates a travel agency in Brisbane, Australia, investigated an encounter involving Udo Wartena, a 37-year-old Dutch immigrant who operated a mining claim near Townsend, Montana, in May 1940.

Wartena reported hearing a droning sound and seeing a hovering object resembling stainless steel, estimated to be 35 feet high and 100 feet in diameter. A stairway descended, and a being described as nice-looking, wearing light gray coveralls and a circular cap, emerged. The being apologized for not knowing anyone was in the area and asked to take water from a nearby ditch, which was facilitated by a hose lowered from the craft.

Wartena was invited aboard and described the interior as having indirect lighting and upholstered benches. He noted that the aliens had snow-white hair and translucent skin, claiming to be 600 and 900 years old and to know over 500 languages. They stated they were learning English and were not to interfere in religious or cultural matters. Wartena, a religious man, did not perceive the experience in religious terms but as a meeting with beings from another planet.

Aston's investigation is based on handwritten and typed accounts by Wartena, as well as verbal recollections from family and friends. Wartena explained that hydrogen extracted from the water was the craft's fuel source. The ship had two flywheels on its outer rim that turned in opposite directions, providing its own gravitation and overcoming planetary pull. The rings generated an electromagnetic force enabling faster-than-light travel, and starlight was used to charge batteries. The aliens claimed they could mingle with humans to gather information and leave instructions to help where needed, indicating long-term alien surveillance prior to 1940.

Wartena declined an invitation to go aboard, citing inconvenience. He later recalled a man who had vanished years earlier and wondered if he had a similar experience. Wartena also underwent a medical examination during the encounter. Before departing, the aliens asked Wartena not to tell anyone, as he would not be believed. After the ship left, Wartena experienced temporary weakness.

Aston concludes that UFOs seen taking water may be using it as a fuel source for nuclear energy. He discusses the low percentage of deuterium in water and the vast quantities needed for interstellar travel, especially at near-light speeds. Aston also notes that current physics cannot explain how rapidly rotating rims overcome gravity, suggesting a connection to the gyroscope effect. He nominates Udo Wartena as the first 'contactee' with whom communication occurred, distinguishing this from earlier cases involving humanoids without communication. Unlike contactees who claimed origins from Mars, Venus, or the Moon, Wartena's aliens claimed to be from a distant planet. Their communication was direct, not telepathic, and lacked the metaphysical or religious context often found in other contactee accounts.

Nanotechnology and UFOs

Warren Aston posits that nanotechnology is relevant to UFO research, defining it as the anticipated ability to manufacture anything through molecular control. He believes this is a major aspect of alien technology. Examples include compact information storage, seamless construction of objects (like UFOs), and advanced biological processes such as absorbing food and recycling waste. Aston speculates that nanotechnology could explain Bigfoot creatures and advances in creating new biological organisms or enhancing intelligence. He notes that concepts similar to nanotechnology were advanced by Richard Feynman and Dr. Vannevar Bush in the 1940s, suggesting these ideas could help understand the Roswell craft, which Aston believes was intentionally crashed by aliens.

Aston acknowledges that there are many kinds of aliens, some dimensional and some from other planets, and Udo Wartena encountered one specific type.

'Net-ed by Candy Peterson: In Defense of Science

This section features excerpts from an article by Mark Cashman, discussing the scientific community's approach to UFO speculation. Cashman argues that science requires a cohesive, evidence-based progression, making it difficult to accept claims that disrupt established knowledge. He believes the evidence for UFO existence is strong but does not necessarily require changes to existing science, but rather an extension of it. UFO behavior, he contends, does not violate physics laws in reliable cases but challenges our understanding of engineering and technology, producing puzzling effects that are not 'magic.'

News Release from the McClendon News Service

Sarah McClendon, dean of the White House Press Corps, issued a news release on March 30, 1998, stating her belief, shared by a community of scientists and technicians, that Unidentified Flying Objects are actual visitors from other worlds. She criticizes the government's heavy secrecy on the issue, which hinders discussion and research. The release mentions briefings given to the Clinton administration by Laurence Rockefeller and Dr. Steven Greer. It also references Webster Hubbell's investigation into UFOs and President Kennedy's death, as disclosed in his memoir 'Friends in High Places.' Lt. Col. Philip J. Corso is cited for his assertion that the Roswell crash was an alien spacecraft, with its technology later incorporated into commercial products.

Man Behind Standoff Not What He Appeared To Be

An article by Jen Sansbury reports on Jason Leigh, who claimed to have a Ph.D. but was revealed in court to be significantly short of even an associate's degree. Leigh, formerly Randal Leigh Brown, legally changed his name in 1980. His internet presence focused on UFOs and the paranormal, with no mention of veterans' issues. He was criticized online for having questionable credentials and for misrepresenting himself, including claiming to be a representative of the International UFO Museum and Research Center. Court records show he was convicted in 1992 for carrying a handgun. His military service claims, including being a Vietnam Veteran, policeman, and Navy SEAL, are also questioned, with his Navy service duration being too short to qualify as a SEAL.

Liar Town: An Essay by Gregg Delcurla

Gregg Delcurla's essay uses a logic puzzle about two towns (one where everyone lies, one where everyone tells the truth) to illustrate the danger of relying on the government for answers. He argues that the government, particularly the Air Force, manipulates information, citing the changing explanations for the Roswell incident from a weather balloon to a top-secret balloon to dummy drops. Delcurla suggests that instead of asking the Air Force to explain events, questions should focus on the military's stance on security, specifically asking if they would keep a crashed alien spacecraft a secret. He posits that the government's information on UFOs is unreliable and that they might intentionally allow the public to believe in Roswell aliens to cover up something more secretive.

What Do We Really Know For Sure?

Candy Peterson's article discusses the challenge of finding reliable UFO information amidst a 'highly merchandised Sci-Fi world.' She highlights 'Project 1947,' initiated by Jan Aldrich, which aims to compile UFO reports from 1947 and earlier, including the 'birth year' of the modern UFO phenomenon. The project has expanded to include reports from 1900-1946 and investigates official and scientific interest in UFOs from 1947-1965. Peterson notes the vast amount of documentation collected, including UFO sightings in Minnesota, North and South Dakota from November to December 1956. The project is ongoing, with a discussion forum and historical documents available on its website. The first volume, 'PROJECT 1947: A Preliminary Report,' has been published.

Peterson outlines ways individuals can contribute to Project 1947, such as tracking down uncollected UFO reports in local archives, libraries, and news organizations. She emphasizes that even recent clippings can be helpful and that complete collections of post-1947 clippings are rare. The article also lists various terms that might be used in early UFO reports, such as 'flying discs,' 'mysterious airships,' and 'spook lights.' There is a need for translations of foreign language material.

My Brush With Alien Technology

William I. McNeff recounts his experience in 1988 while working for Control Data Corporation on a project to find new materials for printed circuit boards. He investigated barium titanate, which proved poisonous. A coworker, Wally Moe, told him about a room temperature superconducting material patented by Mr. Valhdieck, a scientist at the Air Force's Foreign Technology Division. Moe believed Valhdieck might have gotten the idea from crashed ET spacecraft. McNeff contacted Valhdieck, who claimed the material was malleable and ductile and intended to manufacture and market it. McNeff envisioned circuit boards using this material for high speeds and zero energy loss. However, a manager dismissed the idea, citing sloppy work and lack of proof of superconductivity, leading McNeff to wonder if the government had intervened to suppress the technology.

Sahara Astronomical Site Older than Stonehenge

This short piece reports on the discovery of a complex of slabs and stones in the Sahara Desert, potentially predating Stonehenge by 7,000 years. Built by nomadic cattle-herders, the site includes slabs, rock-lined ovals, burial sites for cows, and a 'calendar circle.' Researchers suggest it was used for astronomical considerations, possibly indicating sunrise and sunset points.

MUFON Symposium: Denver, Colorado!

This section announces the MUFON 1998 International UFO Symposium, to be held June 26-28 in Denver, Colorado, with the theme 'Closing the Great Divide Between Science and Ufology.' It lists confirmed speakers and provides registration details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently explores the intersection of UFO phenomena with scientific inquiry, government secrecy, and the challenges of discerning credible information from speculation. There's a clear emphasis on investigating historical cases like the Wardena Case and Roswell, and on encouraging citizen participation in research efforts like Project 1947. The publication seems to adopt a stance that UFOs are a real phenomenon, often hindered by official obfuscation, and that scientific understanding needs to expand to accommodate these observations. The articles often question official narratives and encourage critical thinking about information provided by government entities. The inclusion of diverse articles, from detailed case analyses to essays on logic and scientific skepticism, suggests a broad approach to understanding the UFO topic.

This document is a newsletter from MINNESOTA MUFON, titled 'Field Investigator Update,' authored by Craig R. Lang, the Field Investigation Coordinator. It is a bi-monthly publication with an annual subscription rate of $12.00. The newsletter provides updates on ongoing investigations and older sighting reports handled by the MUFON field investigator group.

Field Investigator Update

The 'Field Investigator Update' section, written by Craig R. Lang, details the recent activities of the Minnesota MUFON field investigators. Lang notes that the early spring has been characterized by 'business as usual,' involving a backdrop of older sighting reports and ongoing investigations, many of which are extensive and have been underway for some time. He highlights that new witnesses or evidence occasionally come to light for these long-term cases.

Spring Lake Park CE1 Case

One specific case mentioned is the Spring Lake Park CE1 case, previously discussed in a newsletter. This incident was investigated by Casey Holt and Lang. It was described as a 'spectacular multiple witness event' that occurred nearly 20 years prior, during which at least ten people witnessed a large object passing overhead at 'treetop' level. Five of these witnesses have since been located, and three were willing to file reports. The report for this case is nearing completion and is expected to be published on the web shortly.

Experiencer Investigations and Close Encounters in Eau Claire, WI

The newsletter also mentions ongoing 'experiencer investigations.' A recent field report was completed for a case in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin area, which involved 'spectacular CE3 and CE4 events.' These events are described as classic close encounters.

#### CE3 Report (Late 1960s)

The first CE3 report dates from the late 1960s. The witness was attending a sporting event in Eau Claire and suddenly felt 'being watched.' Upon looking, she observed a large lenticular disk, about a couple of blocks away, just above the tree line. She thought she saw silhouettes of entities visible through the windows of the disk. When she turned to point it out to someone next to her, the object had vanished.

#### Late-Night Close Encounter (Abduction Scenario)

The second report from the same witness describes a classic late-night close encounter. She awoke to find herself standing in her front yard. She saw several 'wolves' or 'coyotes' sitting on the roof, staring at her. As she began to walk toward the house, she felt the presence of two entities, one on either side, 'escorting' her. She then found herself in a brightly lighted 'hallway,' which led to an apparent classic abduction scenario.

MUFON Web Site and Future Investigations

Readers are encouraged to check the MN MUFON web site for details on these and other fascinating cases, as reports are updated as new developments occur. The web address provided is http://www.wavefront.com/~jhenry/index.html, with Joel Henry listed as the Master of the Web.

Field Investigator Classes

Field investigator classes are conducted approximately three times a year, contingent on sufficient interest. The next training class is anticipated for late spring or early summer. Lang invites individuals who have the time, energy, and objectivity to become MUFON field investigators to contact him at 612-560-1532 or [email protected]. Potential investigators can also sign up at regular MUFON meetings. Lang emphasizes that the role requires 'a lot of hard work and a paradigm-stretching adventure.'

Other Information

The newsletter also includes contact information for the MINNESOTA MUFON State Director (Dick Moss), Asst State Director (Bill McNeff), Field Investigation Coordinator (Craig Lang), and Newsletter contact (Lynn Bell). Contributors are thanked, including Gregg Delcurla, Craig Lang, Bill McNeff, Dick Moss, and Candy Peterson. The publication details confirm it is a bi-monthly newsletter with an annual subscription of $12.00. A National MUFON Hotline number (1-800-836-2166) and MUFONET information (7.237 mhz, 7:00 AM CST Saturdays, with Bob Schultz as Net Control) are provided.

Additionally, information is included for 'Theosophical Meetings' hosted by The Theosophical Society at The First Unitarian Society in Minneapolis, located at 900 Mount Curve Avenue, on Thursdays at 7:30 PM. Contact persons for these meetings are Peter Morris and Rolf Canton.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme of this issue is the ongoing work of MUFON field investigators in documenting and analyzing UFO sightings and related phenomena. The editorial stance, as conveyed through Craig Lang's update, is one of diligent investigation, thorough reporting, and a commitment to exploring the 'paradigm-stretching' nature of the subject matter. There is an emphasis on public participation through witness reports and the recruitment of new investigators. The newsletter also promotes the MUFON web site as a resource for case details and updates.