MUFON Missouri newsletter - 2011 01

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Missouri MUFON newsletter, Volume II, Issue I, dated January 1, 2011, is dedicated to the scientific investigation of UFOs. It serves as a monthly newsletter for members of Missouri MUFON.

Three UFO Lights Reported From Two States

The lead article by Roger Marsh from ufotrafficreport.com details two separate but similar UFO sightings that occurred on December 21, 2010. Both reports were filed with MUFON on December 23, 2010, and involved three bright lights seen in both Kansas and Missouri.

One witness in Overland Park, Kansas, reported seeing three lights while driving east on I-435 at Highway 69. The witness described two lights initially together, followed by a third joining them, and all three flying east out of sight. The witness estimated having sight of them for 2-3 minutes, noting they had blinking lights but their shapes were indistinct. The witness emphasized the unusual nature of three aircraft flying together in that manner.

A second witness in Kansas City, Missouri, driving on Red Bridge Road at 7 p.m. on the same date, reported seeing "three bright lights." This witness described the object as "quite big" and, as it flew closer, appearing like a triangle. The witness pulled over to observe the object flying slowly and very low overhead, making a noise like a flying craft. The object was described as dark grey, with three lights on each point, making it appear triangular. The witness noted the object was "completely grayed out," meaning its shape was not clearly defined, and it was a "little darker shade grey that barely could be made out."

Neither report included video or images. The article advises readers to remember that most UFO reports can be explained naturally or as manmade objects and states that Missouri or Kansas MUFON will release updates if they investigate these cases further. Readers are encouraged to report UFO activity to MUFON.com.

An editor's note from Stan Seba (Kansas) and Margie Kay (Missouri) indicates they are working on the case and will report findings on the Missouri MUFON Chat List. The locations of the sightings are noted as being within several miles of each other. Stan Seba is investigating similar reports from other states on the same night, and the investigators consider the possibility that three separate craft merged into one.

Missouri MUFON St. Louis Area News

This section, by Debbie Ziegelmeyer, State Director, covers the December 15th St. Louis MUFON monthly meeting, which was a Christmas celebration with an exchange of UFO/Paranormal related gifts and attendees bringing cookies and treats. Debbie Ziegelmeyer gave a Power Point Presentation on reported sightings in Missouri in 2010, including photos from a visit to Coral Castle in Florida. The meeting was cut short due to an ice storm.

The Missouri MUFON CMS (Case Management System) reported statistics for 2010: Total sightings: 141; Unknown: 88; HOAX: 30; IFO (Identified Flying Object): 23. The shapes of reported objects were categorized as: Disc/Sphere/circle/fireball (65), Triangle (27), Star Like (24), Cylinder (9), Cigar (6), Rectangle (4), Tear Drop (2), and Other (4).

The section also discusses the financial aspects of MUFON. In 2010, MUFON International began assessing state dues based on total membership, with Missouri owing $250.00, which Margie and Debbie paid. Missouri MUFON also incurs monthly bank account fees and yearly web-site domain fees. Kansas City MUFON relies on donations, while the St. Louis area meeting room is provided in exchange for purchasing meals, with an additional tip for the waitress. While many states charge admission fees, Debbie Ziegelmeyer states that the St. Louis area will not charge admission but will ask for voluntary donations of $1.00 per meeting to help cover MUFON dues and other expenses. She also offers to show UFO-related videos of speaker presentations.

The first St. Louis area meeting in 2011 was scheduled for January 19th at Culpepper's Restaurant, featuring a video presentation by Karyn Dolan titled "UFOs and Media Desensitization of Children." Karyn Dolan is noted as the wife of Richard Dolan, host of a weekly radio show, an author, and a teacher who home-schools her children.

2011 Calendar of Events

This section lists upcoming UFO-related events:

• January 10: Kansas City MUFON meeting, 6:30 PM–9:00 PM, Westport Flea Market, Kansas City, MO. Contact Richard Hayde.
• January 19: St. Louis MUFON meeting, 6:30–9:30 PM, Culpeppers Restaurant, Creve Coeur, MO. Contact Debbie Ziegelmeyer.
• January 25: KC ET Experiencers Group, 7:00 PM–8:30 PM, Kansas City. Contact Megan Monroe.
• February 23-27: International UFO Congress 2011, Fort McDowell Resort & Casino, Fountain Hills, AZ. Visit ufocongress.com.
• March 11-13: EPPICCON 2011, Cavalier Hotel, Virginia Beach, VA. Visit epiccon.com.
• March 18-20: Wycliffe Well UFO Conference, Wycliffe Well Caravan Park, Northern Territory, Australia. Visit wyclliffe.com/au/.
• April 8-10, 2011: Ozark UFO Conference, Best Western Inn, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Visit ozarkufo.com.
• July 1-3, 2011: ROSWELL UFO Festival, Roswell, New Mexico. Visit ufofestivalroswell.com.
• July 29-31: International MUFON Symposium, Hyatt Regency, Irvine, CA. Visit mufon.com.

Readers are encouraged to send UFO-related event information or corrections to Margie Kay.

Missouri MUFON Chat List and Photo Archive

This section promotes the Missouri MUFON Yahoo Chat List, which is open to anyone interested in MUFON events, sightings, and discussions, regardless of membership status. Members can post photos, drawings, articles, and files, and share event information. To join, users can go to www.tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/momufon.

UFO Traffic Report Radio Show

This brief section promotes the "UFO Traffic Report" radio show, which airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. CST at ufotrafficreport.com. The show features UFO witnesses, investigators, and guests discussing paranormal and UFO phenomena. Listeners can join a live chat on the website. The show is co-hosted by Roger Marsh and Michael Rambacher. It is noted that Megan Monroe was on the show on December 8th with Rich and Lori Carter.

Book Review: The Art of Close Encounters

This review by Richard Hayde, Section Director, Kansas City MUFON, discusses the book "The Art of Close Encounters" by Kim Carlsberg. The reviewer received the book on December 27, 2010, after ordering it in early November. The reviewer praises the book, noting that Kim Carlsberg is an accomplished photographer and artist with experience in the entertainment industry, and is also an extraterrestrial experiencer and contactee. The book is described as a "reference guide to this extraordinary phenomenon" with "visually stunning, intellectually compelling and spiritually illuminating" art. Testimonials from George Noory and Leo Sprinkle, PhD, are included. Stephen Bassett is quoted on the book's aim to "bridge the silence with art." The reviewer notes that the book has fascinated friends and family members who are not typically interested in the UFO phenomenon. The book is priced at $34.95, with shipping and sales tax bringing the total to $42.29. It is available through several websites, including closeencounterspublishing.com and facebook.com/pages/The-Art-Of-Close-Encounters/254882858789. The reviewer plans to bring his copy to the next Kansas City MUFON meeting on January 10, 2011, to share with members.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, MUFON activities, and the promotion of UFO research and community engagement. The editorial stance is one of scientific investigation, encouraging reporting of sightings, sharing information through various channels (newsletter, chat lists, meetings), and providing resources for those interested in the UFO phenomenon, such as the book review and calendar of events. There is a clear emphasis on community building within MUFON and a pragmatic approach to reporting, acknowledging that many sightings have natural explanations while still encouraging the investigation of the unexplained.