MUFON of Ohio Newsletter - 2007 Q1 Spring

Magazine Overview

Title: MUFON OF OHIO NEWSLETTER
Issue: Spring, 2007
Publisher: MUFON of Ohio
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the MUFON of Ohio Newsletter for Spring 2007 features several detailed accounts of UFO sightings and related phenomena, alongside discussions on the psychological aspects of ufology and a book review.

Frightening Experience by Alan Zerla

This article details an unusual report from a family living on a horse farm near the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border. On January 1, 2007, the family's usual feeding routine for deer and turkeys was disrupted, with no animals appearing in the evening. The following morning, as the mother drove her daughters to the school bus, the car experienced a sudden, loud bouncing event, lasting about six seconds, accompanied by a deafening white noise and a sound like bending sheet metal. The 16-year-old daughter reported seeing an arm banging on the driver's side rear door window. After the bouncing stopped, the mother saw large, glowing eyes, described as yellow blending into cinnamon brown, about 100 feet down the lane among pine trees, positioned higher than a tall man would account for. The car sustained no damage. The family remains terrified and reluctant to go out after dark. The author notes the area is characterized by rugged, hilly terrain typical of the Allegheny plateau.

Sighting of "Red Ball” UFO in 1980 by Donnie Blessing

This report recounts a sighting by Darren B. (alias), who was a 14-year-old 7th grader in Franklin, Ohio, in the winter of 1980. While with his friend George S. (alias), who had received a telescope for Christmas, they observed a blood-red object in the sky. Initially thought to be the moon, the object appeared to move in a straight line downwards, growing larger until it was bigger than a house. It then stopped and hovered, radiating a bright red light that illuminated the surroundings. The object moved rapidly from a distant position to within approximately 500 yards. After hovering, it descended into a valley and disappeared. The entire sighting lasted only 2-3 minutes. Darren reported feeling scared and experiencing a sensation like cotton in his ears, with difficulty hearing. He also noted that his friend George seemed to change in personality after the event, experiencing mental issues. Darren has agreed to undergo hypnosis to explore potential repressed memories or abductee experiences. The report also mentions the proximity of the sighting location to the Kinder Indian mound and Monsanto, noting rumors of UFO reverse engineering associated with the latter and a tendency for UFOs to appear near Indian mounds.

Red Ball UFO (continued)

Further details from the 'Red Ball UFO' sighting include Darren's description of the object making no sound and the outdoor dogs remaining silent, which was unusual. He described the auditory experience as akin to being in a vacuum. The report suggests George may have been mesmerized by the object. The investigator plans to locate George for further testimony. The article includes footnotes with photos illustrating the sighting's progression and location, noting that the photos were taken in daylight to represent the night event. The report also mentions the possibility of Darren being an abductee and promises a follow-up report after hypnosis.

Featured Photo: Charles Berlitz at 1990 UFO Conference

This section includes a photograph of Charles Berlitz speaking at the 1990 National UFO Conference in Miami Beach, Florida. Berlitz, author of the best-selling "The Bermuda Triangle," continued to lecture on UFO and fortean subjects. The conference also featured speakers like Ed and Frances Walters, William Nash, Howard Menger, and Frank Stranges. A midnight skywatch was held on the beach, though only aircraft and stars were observed.

UFOs and Psychology by Pete Hartinger

This article explores the psychological aspects of the UFO phenomenon. It notes that many witnesses are reluctant to report sightings due to fear of ridicule, but this is changing as the subject gains more acceptance. The author suggests that the unknown can cause people to form mental blocks and disregard the phenomenon, quoting "You have nothing to fear, but fear itself." He posits that the existence of technically advanced UFOs could be psychologically disturbing for some individuals. The article touches upon historical UFO events, including the 2006 sighting over Chicago's O'Hare Airport and a similar sighting near Cleveland Hopkins Airport, highlighting how witnesses have been pressured to remain silent. The author welcomes debate and emphasizes sticking to facts.

Former Arizona Governor's Close Encounter with UFO by Fife Symington

This brief section quotes former Arizona Governor Fife Symington describing an event as "absolutely breathtaking" and "definitely a UFO," referring to the "Phoenix Lights" incident in 1997, for which video evidence exists. Symington claims he was trying to make a spoof and stop public hysteria.

MUFON UFO Sighting Report: Rachel Weidringer

Investigated by Donnie Blessing, this report details a sighting by Rachel Weidringer, a college student, on March 7, 2007, near Shawnee State University. She observed a large, dark object, described as boomerang-shaped with indented circles underneath, moving slowly overhead. The object was estimated to be about 200 feet in diameter and approximately 200-400 feet above her head. She watched it for about 45 seconds before a light obscured her view. She felt the object was observing the campus. The report notes that her friend Eric had previously seen a triangle-shaped object. This is Rachel's second UFO sighting over Shawnee State University.

MUFON of Ohio Meeting Featuring Investigator Stan Gordon

This section announces an upcoming MUFON of Ohio meeting on June 16, 2007, featuring investigator Stan Gordon. Gordon has been investigating UFO and Bigfoot phenomena in Pennsylvania since 1965, is recognized internationally, and was the founder and director of the Pennsylvania Association for the Study of the Unexplained (PASU). He was the first recipient of the MUFON "Meritorious Achievement in A UFO Investigation Award" in 1978 and has been the primary investigator of the Kecksburg UFO crash/retrieval case.

Book Review: Heavenly Lights: The Apparitions of Fatima and the UFO Phenomenon

Reviewed by Jon Fry, this section discusses a book by Dr. Joaquim Fernandes and Fina D'Armada that interprets the 1917 apparitions in Fatima, Portugal, as potentially being UFO events. The review highlights parallels between the Fatima phenomena (luminous globes, buzzing sounds, telepathic communication, strange odors, rocket-like sounds, animal effects) and reported UFO characteristics. The book is the first in a trilogy and is highly recommended by the reviewer.

Other Ohio UFO Groups

This section lists contact information for other UFO organizations in Ohio: the Roundtown UFO Society (RUFOS), the Cleveland Ufology Project (CUP), and the Tri-County UFO Study Group.

Membership Application

The newsletter concludes with a 2007 Membership Application for MUFON of Ohio, requesting dues and contact information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, witness testimonies, the investigation of UFO phenomena, and the psychological impact of these experiences. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and documentation of UFO-related events, encouraging witness participation and investigation, while also acknowledging the scientific and psychological dimensions of the subject. The newsletter actively promotes MUFON's activities and encourages membership and engagement.