SPACE CRAFTER

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE CRAFTER
Issue: Vol. IV, No. 4
Date: August - September 1961
Publisher: Spacecraft Research Association, Phoenix, Arizona
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Content Summary

This issue of SPACE CRAFTER, the publication of the Spacecraft Research Association (SRA), a non-profit organization dedicated to the investigation of spacecraft, extra-terrestrial phenomena, mysticism, and the occult sciences, provides a diverse range of content for its readers.

SRA Activities and Meetings

The magazine details recent and upcoming activities of the SRA. The July business meeting was held at the home of Treasurer Gladys Van Derslice, with 28 members and guests present. The meeting included a discussion period and a social hour featuring watermelon. The August meeting, also hosted by Van Derslice, saw 38 members and visitors despite a severe storm, and featured short talks by Dr. Glen Hazen, Dr. Dorothy Simon, and Burleigh Jones, followed by an ice cream social.

The September meeting is highlighted with a lecture by Dr. Norman Walker, a noted authority on LIFE, HEALTH, and NUTRITION, who holds degrees in Philosophy, Medicine, and Osteopathy. He will speak on Spacecraft, Space, and Diet. The meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 15th, at the home of President Jack Myers, with a business meeting at 7:30 p.m. and the lecture at 8:00 p.m. Attendees are advised to bring their own chairs. Dr. Walker's new book, "Are You Slipping", is also mentioned.

New Members and Directory

The issue welcomes several new members to the SRA, including Rev. Sandra Bonner, Mrs. Brent Mott, Mrs. Anna Cangemi, Dr. Dorothy Simon, Mrs. Ina Morganson, Mr. & Mrs. B. G. Williams, Dr. Richard Sheetz, Dr. Glen Hazen, Mrs. Ruth Mull, Dr. Randolph Matthews, and Mrs. Ethel Black. A directory of SRA officers is provided, listing President Jack R. Myers, Vice President Wm. Emery, Recording Secretary Dr. Randolph Matthews, Corresponding Secretary Bernice Garbett, Treasurer Gladys VanDerslice, Trustees Gertrude Cummings, N. Horner Agnew, and E. Victor Curtis, and Librarian Julia Peterson.

Special Features and Articles

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" is featured prominently on the cover, with a biblical quote from Psalm 33:12.

"The Day E.S.P. Saved My Life" by Lynn Mitchell recounts a personal experience where a warning voice, seemingly telepathic, saved her from a flash flood on the Big Thompson River in Colorado.

"Pancakes at Eagle River, Wisconsin" by Michael X details a reported UFO encounter by Joe Simonton, a plumber from Eagle River, who claimed a small spaceman emerged from a landed saucer, accepted water, and took pancakes from the craft. The pancakes were reportedly sent to NICAP for analysis.

"The Mystery Spot" is explored through articles and reports, including one by Associate Member Don Lockwood and a visit by Lena Robinson. The article describes peculiar phenomena occurring in a specific area near Santa Cruz, California, where gravity and physics seem to be defied. Visitors experience leaning at an angle, objects behaving unusually, and a general disorientation. Various theories, including a buried meteorite and high concentrations of carbon dioxide, are discussed.

"News from England" reports on the LUFORO Bulletin's efforts to compile UFO sighting data from the British Isles and Europe, and their request for reports from Spacecrafter readers.

"The Editor's Talkin'" section includes a personal pledge from the editor, E. Victor Curtis, focusing on positive thinking and self-improvement. It also addresses the scarcity of UFO reports in Arizona newspapers and from SRA members, questioning if UFOs are avoiding the area or if media coverage is lacking.

"Arizona Sighting" by Bernice Garbett details a report from Phoenix Resident Sadie Fasters, who saw a cigar-shaped object in the sky on April 1, 1961, while traveling by train.

"News from South America" summarizes reports from SBEDV bulletins in Brazil, noting a rise in cigar-fish-missile shaped UFO sightings and a general policy of "silence and debunking" by the Brazilian Air Force, similar to the USAF.

"Life Is Possible On Other Planets" by Julian DeVries discusses the likelihood of extraterrestrial life, arguing that it's arrogant to assume Earth is unique and that life forms may not conform to human biological mechanisms.

"The 91st Psalm" by Vic Curtis shares a personal account of surviving a car collision without injury, attributing his safety to the protective power of the 91st Psalm, which he believes has been proven effective in extreme situations.

Book Reviews and Library

The issue includes a section on "New Books" available from the SRA library, such as "Flying Saucers Farewell" by George Adamski, "Will You be Alive in 1975?" by Gordon Collier, and "We Want You" by Michael X. A comprehensive list of books available from the library is provided on pages 16-17, covering a wide range of topics including UFOs, spiritualism, health, and metaphysics.

Other Sections

"Club Activities" announces the September meeting. "Notice" provides information on advertising rates. "The Poets Corner" features a poem about the power of words. "Planet-ary Conjunction" informs members about an upcoming lecture by Manly P. Hall on the "Great Conjunction of February 1962". A membership application form for the Spacecraft Research Association is also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SPACE CRAFTER revolve around the investigation of UFOs and extraterrestrial phenomena, personal accounts of unexplained events, and a strong interest in health, diet, and spiritual well-being. The editorial stance appears to be open-minded and investigative, encouraging readers to share their experiences and support the SRA's research efforts. There is a clear emphasis on the power of the mind, spiritual protection (as evidenced by the 91st Psalm article), and the exploration of alternative science and metaphysical concepts. The magazine also promotes a sense of community among its members through shared meetings and a lending library.