Spacecrafter - 1960 06 - June to July

Magazine Overview

Title: THE SPACECRAFTER
Issue: Vol.III, No.2
Date: June - July, 1960
Publisher: Spacecraft Research Association
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

This issue of The Spacecrafter, the publication of the Spacecraft Research Association (SRA), offers a diverse range of content centered around UFO phenomena, mysticism, and related topics. The SRA is presented as a non-profit organization dedicated to the investigation of spacecraft, extra-terrestrial phenomena, and occult sciences, with the goal of disseminating information, hosting lectures, and encouraging public support for related projects.

Table of Contents

The issue features a detailed table of contents, including:

• Cover Design by Bert Case
• Announcements
• Club News
• Report on Giant Rock Convention
• Words of Wisdom by a Member
• Articles (reprints)
• Hobbies
• Poet's Corner
• Membership Application
• List of Books

Directory of Officers

A comprehensive directory of SRA officers is provided, listing names, roles, and contact information for President Agnes Sanborn, Vice President M. L. Limb, Recording Secretary Esther Frank, Corresponding Secretary Bernice Garbett, Treasurer Fred Croy, Trustees N. Horner Agnew, Jack Myers, and Lena Robinson, Chairman Gertrude Cummings, Editor E. Victor Curtis, Librarian Florence Agnew, Assistant Librarian Meta Bisbee, and Advisor Russell Cloud.

Announcements and Meetings

Several announcements regarding upcoming meetings and events are featured:

• July 15th Meeting: A regular SRA meeting was scheduled for Friday, July 15th, at 8:00 PM, at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Charles H. Anderson in Phoenix. Plans were still being finalized, but a potluck dinner, business meeting, and swimming party were anticipated for the August 19th meeting at Esther Frank's home.
• June Lecturer: The June 4th lecture featured Columba Krebs of Prescott, Arizona, who presented symbolic paintings on "Man and The Universe."
• New Members: Bernice Garbett (Corresponding Secretary), Johnny Botsford (artist), and Roseann Baars are welcomed to the association.
• Notice: Readers are advised to watch Art Linkletter's TV show on July 13th, which would feature pictures from the Spacecraft Convention held at Giant Rock over Memorial Day Weekend.

Report on Giant Rock Convention

The issue includes a continuation of the report on the Giant Rock Spacecraft Convention. Phoenix was well represented, and attendees reported a wonderful time, with camping described as reminiscent of past state fairs. Notable attendees included President Agnes Sanborn, Jack Myers, Dorothy Miller, Esther Frank, and many others from Arizona and beyond. Speakers at the convention included Truman Bethurum, Dan Fry, George Van Tassel, Arthur Aho, Orfeo Angelucci, Gray Barker, Mark Probert, Carl Anderson, and Jim Jones. A highlight was a demonstration by 14-year-old Margaret Foose, who, blindfolded, could read anything and was described as having "inner sight" or "third sight." The report also mentions the Temple under construction on the grounds, with an estimated completion in approximately two years. Agnes Sanborn also noted seeing Jane Davis, a charter member now living in Long Beach, and welcomed John B. Nunez, a Florida-based Associate Member who regularly contributes clippings.

Letters and Member Contributions

A letter from Jean B. Timarac expresses deep gratitude to SRA members for their kindness, comfort, and sympathy during a period of illness, noting rapid progress attributed to the support received.

Articles and Features

• Words of Wisdom: This section, attributed to a 15-year-old boy, explores the symbolic meaning of "wheels" and "wheels within wheels." It draws parallels between mechanical wheels and groups of people or organizations, emphasizing the necessity of harmony, love, and proper functioning for success. The analogy is extended to the concept of space brothers operating harmoniously and the impending "New Age" that will require such functioning.
• Reprint: Signal Bounced Off Sun: A reprint from the February 1960 Miami Herald discusses an "epochal achievement" by Stanford scientists who successfully bounced a radar signal off the sun. This experiment, conducted in April 1959, involved broadcasting a signal and recording its faint echo, with the data analysis taking over six months.
• Lights Looked Something Like This: This article from the Port Huron Times Herald (February 23, 1960) details a sighting by Peter C. Bart of five unidentified lights over Sarnia, Canada, early on Sunday morning. Bart, a fireman, along with two other workers, observed the lights, which were exceptionally bright and appeared to be in a specific formation. The incident lasted about five minutes, with the objects fading into the northeast. Notably, the yardmaster reported considerable radio static at the time of the sighting, and crows in a nearby tree became unusually noisy.
• Sky Flash Seen in 4 States: A report from Salt Lake City describes a bright flash seen over four Western states at 12:03 a.m. Sunday, believed to be a meteor. A second, erroneous report of a flash near a national atomic reactor testing station in Idaho was attributed to a power failure caused by a bird.
• Hobbies: This section features an article, first published in "The Star" and reprinted from "The Flying Saucer Review," about Bernard Smith, who claims his tape machine continuously records voices and sounds from "another world." The article describes the sounds as faint Morse signals, strange tremoli, hums, booms, clicks, and crashes, with voices described as having many diphthongs, few consonants, and a nasal, sung quality. Smith has recorded music from these "unknown people," including a children's choir, which he believes is not from Earth.
• Greenery Seen on Mars Called False: A report from Bloomington, Indiana, states that astronomers may have mistaken optical illusions caused by color contrast and atmospheric turbulence for green areas (vegetation) on Mars.
• Mystery Satellite Sighted: The New York Times Service reports on the discovery of an unidentified, silent satellite orbiting the Earth in a near polar orbit, dubbed the "Dark Satellite." Its origin and identity remain unknown despite U.S. tracking efforts.
• Poet's Corner: This section includes a poem titled "Peace Plans" by "The Violet," advocating for peace and understanding.

Books Available in Our Library

A list of books available in the SRA library is provided, including titles by George Hunt Williamson, Daniel W. Fry, Vera Stanley Alder, and others, with their prices.

Membership Application

A membership application form for the Spacecraft Research Association is included, with options for Forum Division ($6.00) and Associate Division ($3.00) dues.

Club News

Brief club news items mention the passing of charter member Martin Winkelmayer and a fortunate escape from an automobile accident by Gertrude Cummings and her family.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the investigation of UFOs and related phenomena, with a strong emphasis on the Spacecraft Research Association's activities and its members' experiences. The publication promotes a belief in the existence of spacecraft and extra-terrestrial visitors, often linking these to mystical and occult concepts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and information sharing within a community of like-minded individuals. There is a clear effort to connect the physical sightings of UFOs with broader philosophical and spiritual ideas, such as the "New Age" and the importance of harmonious functioning within groups. The inclusion of scientific news, such as the radar experiment with the sun, suggests an interest in bridging the gap between conventional science and the more speculative topics covered.