MUFON Missouri newsletter - 2012 05

Magazine Overview

Title: Missouri MUFON Newsletter
Issue: Volume II Issue 3
Date: May, 2012
Publisher: Missouri MUFON (Mutual UFO Network)
Document Type: Newsletter

Conference Announcement: High Strangeness in Missouri

The central focus of this issue is the announcement of the "High Strangeness in Missouri" conference, hosted by the Missouri chapter of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) on May 20, 2012, in Kansas City. The conference aims to address the highly publicized 2011 Kansas City UFO flap, during which over 87 UFO reports were filed in October alone, as well as other strange events occurring within the state. The event is scheduled to take place at the Westport Flea Market Restaurant from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Registration opens at noon, and on-site registration will be accepted on a space-available basis, payable in cash only. Volunteers are needed for setup, filming, and AV support.

The conference features a diverse lineup of speakers and topics. Popular "Coast to Coast AM" talk radio host George Noory will participate in a 30-minute question and answer session via Skype. Missouri MUFON Assistant State Director Margie Kay will present on the 2011 Kansas City UFO Flap, including details on close encounters, missing time, and possible abductions. Todd Sheets, host of the "Nightwatch" radio show, will discuss paranormal events in the area. UFO researcher Ted Phillips will present his ongoing investigation into unexplained events in Southeast Missouri, titled "Into the Marley Woods." Nuclear Physicist Stanton Friedman will present "Science was Wrong" via Skype, and State Director Debbie Ziegelmeyer will discuss "The Strangest UFO Encounters in Missouri."

MUFON Internet Resources

The newsletter highlights various online resources provided by MUFON. MUFON Forums are accessible through www.forums.mufon.com, offering a platform for discussion on a wide range of topics including general discussion, book reviews, UFO news, hoax reports, exopolitics, and case reports. The site currently has 294 topics and 754 members. Other online resources include UFONAUT Radio with Jesse Randolph, MUFON Ham Radio, and Eye Witness Radio with Race Hobbs and Royce Fitzgerald. Field Investigators are directed to www.mufon.com to download UFO case report forms and free astronomy software.

New Assistant Editor and Mailing List

Cory Childs from Blue Springs, Missouri, is introduced as the new assistant editor for the Missouri MUFON Newsletter. Childs is a police officer in Independence, Missouri, with experience in field investigations and an interest in the paranormal and ufology. He is also the author of an article in this issue on the Joplin Spooklight. Readers are encouraged to join the Missouri MUFON mailing list via a QR code or a link in recent emails to receive event information and newsletters. This list is separate from the Yahoo chat list.

Missouri Sightings on the Rise Again

An article by Margie Kay reports that UFO sighting reports in Missouri are increasing after a lull at the beginning of the year. She is currently investigating a case in Blue Springs/Independence involving six witnesses who have observed large craft with multi-colored lights and smaller lights for ten days. Another incident describes two witnesses seeing a large disk-shaped craft drop to the ground in a wooded area, accompanied by animal disturbances, before shooting straight up into the sky. This case is ongoing, with a site investigation planned.

The Joplin Missouri Spooklight

This article by Corey Childs delves into the history and investigation of the Joplin Spooklight, a phenomenon with a rich local legend. The light is described as reoccurring and has been spotted for years, with reports of it being seen on Oklahoma East 50 Road. Its history includes Native American lore, a story of a searching woman, and an investigation by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1946, which deemed it a "mysterious light of unknown origin." The light has also been featured on "Unsolved Mysterys." Childs recounts his own investigation, where he and his team attempted to observe the light. They initially encountered teenagers with flashlights and glowsticks, which they feared would interfere. After the teenagers left, they observed a dim, auburn light swaying back and forth. Attempts to recreate the light by driving with and without headlights were unsuccessful, concluding that the light remains a mystery.

Calendar of UFO Events

The newsletter provides a calendar of upcoming MUFON events:

• May 20, 2012: Missouri MUFON annual statewide meeting in Kansas City, featuring speakers like Ted Phillips, Margie Kay, Stanton Friedman, Debbie Ziegelmeyer, Todd Sheets, and George Noory. Tickets are $40 for MUFON members and $45 for non-members.
• June 11: KC MUFON Meeting with guest speaker Beth Meyer discussing ghosts and UFOs in Kansas and Missouri.
• June 2: Arkansas MUFON meeting and Investigator Training.
• June 20: St. Louis MUFON meeting with SKYPE speaker Bill Konkolesky discussing "UFOs Over Michigan."
• August 3-6: The 43rd annual MUFON Symposium, "UFO Friend or Foe," in Kentucky, including a tour of Wright-Patterson AFB.

2012 Arkansas MUFON State Meeting & Investigator Training

This section details the Arkansas MUFON State Meeting and Investigator Training weekend on June 2-3. The meeting includes speakers like Dennis Balthaser on the Roswell event and Margie Kay on the 2011 Missouri UFO flap. The Investigator Training Seminar on June 3rd is a hands-on session replicating a UFO landing site, focusing on trace evidence collection and investigation protocols. This training is for MUFON State Officers, Field Investigators, and Trainees, offering certificates for Star Team consideration.

St. Louis Area MUFON News

Debbie Ziegelmeyer reports on an active April in Missouri with 13 reported sightings, including triangle-shaped craft and orange/white balls of light. Missouri MUFON has received 69 reports in 2012, putting them on pace for 276 reports, exceeding the previous year's record of 247. An apology is issued for the cancellation of a Field Investigator class, with a new online training program to be announced at the 2012 Symposium in Kentucky. The St. Louis area meeting on May 16th will feature SKYPE speaker Bill Konkolesky discussing "UFOs Over Michigan." The newsletter also reminds readers about the upcoming Missouri MUFON conference in Kansas City on May 20th and the 43rd annual MUFON Symposium in Kentucky.

Missouri MUFON 2012 Conference Advertisement

A full-page advertisement provides details for the Missouri MUFON 2012 Conference on May 20, 2012, in Kansas City. It lists speakers George Noory, Margie Kay, Stanton Friedman, Ted Phillips, and Todd Sheets, along with their topics. The venue is the Westport Flea Market Restaurant, with dinner included. Ticket prices are $40 for International MUFON members and $45 for non-members. Registration is available online at www.missourimufon.org or by phone.

Registration Form

A registration form for the Missouri MUFON Conference on May 20, 2012, is provided. It includes fields for name, MUFON ID number, address, contact information, and attendee names. The form specifies that no infants or children under 14 are allowed. The conference location is the Westport Flea Market Restaurant, with prices of $35.00 for MUFON members and $40.00 for non-members. Registration by May 18th is advised, with cash only accepted at the door. Vendor information is also included, along with online and cash payment options.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently promotes MUFON's mission of investigating UFO phenomena and related paranormal events. It emphasizes the importance of investigator training and encourages member participation in conferences, meetings, and online forums. The editorial stance is one of serious inquiry into unexplained aerial phenomena and related topics, providing a platform for sharing information, case studies, and research within the MUFON community. There is a clear focus on local Missouri events and sightings, alongside broader MUFON initiatives and resources.