MUTUAL UFO NETWORK OF OHIO NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

The Mutual UFO Network of Ohio Newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 1, Winter 1998, is the inaugural issue of a publication from the newly formed Mutual UFO Network of Ohio (MUFON of Ohio). This nonprofit organization was established on November 14, 1998, to represent MUFON, Inc. of Seguin, Texas, within Ohio.

Formation and Objectives of MUFON of Ohio

The organization was founded at an organizational meeting where eleven initial members joined, bylaws were accepted, and officers were appointed. The founding members include Bill Jones (Director), Pete Hartinger (President), Phyllis Budinger (Vice-President/Program Committee Chair), Wendy Ban (Secretary/Treasurer), Terry Hamilton, Bruce Budinger, Ted Kreit, Richard Lee, John Timmerman, Richard Thielmann, and Don Weatherby.

The primary purpose of MUFON of Ohio is to conduct research into the UFO phenomenon and to provide educational programs and publications to the public. Specific objectives include:

• Establishing an active network of individuals in Ohio interested in the objective examination of UFO phenomena.
• Conducting investigations of possible UFO-related events and claims.
• Holding meetings and educational programs on UFOs for members and the public.
• Publishing a quarterly membership newsletter, a journal, and other publications.
• Monitoring Ohio news media to ensure objective coverage of UFO material.
• Providing a forum for non-MUFON and independent researchers.

Membership Benefits

Membership in MUFON of Ohio offers several benefits, including participation in group projects, networking with Ohio-based UFO investigators, and contributing to the revitalization of ufology in Ohio. Members receive free admission to three yearly State Meetings, the quarterly newsletter, and an annual special Member's Issue of the Ohio UFO Notebook.

Upcoming Events and Projects

March 13 State Meeting

A State Meeting is scheduled for March 13th in Cuyahoga Falls (Akron area), featuring veteran Cleveland-area ufologist Rick Hilberg as the speaker. His lecture is titled "UFOs: The First Three Decades."

About the Ohio UFO Notebook

The newsletter also provides information about "The Ohio UFO Notebook," a publication by MidOhio Research Associates, which has been in existence for 18 issues since 1991. Spearheaded by Bill Jones, it has published numerous sighting reports and articles, including interviews with a former Project Blue Book director and a reprint of "The Fitzgerald Report" concerning a classic multiple-witness encounter in Sheffield Lake, OH.

Group Research Project — Project Ohio: October 1973

This issue details a major research initiative for 1999: "Project Ohio: October 1973." This project aims to document Ohio UFO reports from the peak of the October 1973 UFO wave, which was the last major UFO wave in the United States to receive significant media attention. The project is modeled after Jan Aldrich's Project 1947 and involves collecting newspaper articles, documents, and personal accounts. The research will expand to include interviews with witnesses in later phases, with results to be published in the Ohio UFO Notebook and online.

Other Projects

MUFON of Ohio is also involved in several other projects:

• Profiles of Ohio Ufologists: Irena Scott and Wendy Ban will publish biographical profiles of notable Ohio ufologists in the Ohio UFO Notebook.
• Physical Trace Research: Phyllis Budinger is conducting independent research involving the chemical analysis of physical trace material from historically famous UFO cases.
• Sightings Report Database: Don Weatherby is working on creating a report database and establishing relationships with existing databases.
• Educational Videos
• Billboard near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
• Hosting a future MUFON, Inc. annual Symposium is mentioned as a long-term aspiration.

How to Join

Membership is open to all MUFON, Inc. members and a limited number of non-MUFON members. Annual dues are $20.00, with a reduced rate of $15.00 for those who have already contributed $5.00 in initial dues. Interested individuals can join by using the enclosed Membership Application form or by contacting the organization to receive publications.

State Meeting Announcement (October 7, 2000)

A separate announcement details a State Meeting on October 7, 2000, in Chagrin Falls, OH. The event includes a lecture by Phyllis Budinger, Analytical Chemist, titled "UFOs: A Search for Physical Evidence," and a tour of her lab, Frontier Analysis. The agenda includes a welcome, updates on MUFON activities, and open discussion. The meeting is scheduled from noon to 5:00 PM.

Speaker Profile: Phyllis Budinger

Phyllis Budinger, an industrial chemist, specializes in analyzing unknown materials and physical trace evidence from UFO events. Her lecture will cover the mission and goals of Frontier Analysis physical trace research, highlighting the challenges and discoveries in the field. She will present real cases and discuss the positive future of this research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter strongly emphasizes the formation and goals of MUFON of Ohio, focusing on objective research, public education, and active investigation into UFO phenomena. There is a clear commitment to documenting historical UFO events, particularly the October 1973 wave in Ohio, and to advancing the scientific study of physical trace evidence. The publication also serves to promote MUFON's activities, upcoming meetings, and membership opportunities, positioning itself as a central hub for UFO research and enthusiasts in Ohio.