UFO Canada - vol 1 no 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO CANADA
Issue: VOL.1 NO.2
Date: August 1977
Publisher: Howard A. Gontovnick
Country: Canada

This issue of UFO Canada delves into various UFO phenomena reported across Canada and internationally, with a strong focus on sightings involving red lights and a detailed account of a potentially hostile encounter.

Red Lights Over Canada and Edmonton

This section, authored by John B. Musgrave, discusses a pattern of sightings involving bright red lights, some flashing or pulsating, others steady. It notes that while many sightings are ordinary, some involve unusual phenomena. The article mentions the misidentification of Venus and Jupiter as a cause for some sightings, particularly at Slave Lake, Alberta, which received national coverage due to promotional activity by Major Wayne Aho. Specific reports include:

• Early January: Three Ontario Provincial Police officers observed a brightly-lit UFO hovering over the Lennox hydro generating station, described as a large bright red light that swooped low and streaked upward.
• February 17th: A flashing red light was observed at St. Barthelemy, P.Q.
• March 3rd: A flashing red light was observed at Hawkesbury, Ontario, by a member of the Ontario Provincial Police and two youths. This light has been seen on other nights.
• April 15th: Several lights were seen in a triangular formation over Beloeil, P.Q., with the color not specified.
• April 15th: Around 10 p.m., at least 8 lights were observed over London, Ontario, four of which were reported to be arrow-shaped.
• A pilot, Bruce Powell, observed flashing red lights, possibly more than one per UFO, with a conical cylinder shape, while flying his twin-engine Viper Aztec.
• Victoria, B.C.: On March 9th, two sisters reported a shiny oval object descending near treetop level with a flashing red light on top and a bulge on the bottom. The UFO circled them and emitted a low humming noise.
• Edmonton, Alberta: Several members of the Edmonton UFO Society observed a brilliant red flashing light on March 11th. On April 23rd, two red flashing lights were observed close together, described by Charles R. Elliott as "exactly like the light from a C-47 Puff-The-Magic Dragon gunship," appearing as two V-shaped tongues of red fire moving westward. Color photographs of these lights were taken, showing a change in brightness.

Falcon Lake, Winnipeg: A Case of UFO Hostility

This article, compiled by Howard Gontovnick, details one of the most bizarre and frightening UFO hostility cases, involving Stephen Michalak. In May 1967, while prospecting near Falcon Lake, Manitoba, Michalak sighted two cigar-shaped objects descending. One object took off immediately, while the second, described as glowing scarlet and looking unnatural, landed nearby. It appeared oval and glowed white, similar to molten steel. Michalak, frozen with fear, theorized it might be a satellite and called out to it.

Suddenly, two panels opened, revealing a ray of violet light. As Michalak approached, he felt warmth. He extended his gloved hand, which began to melt upon touching the craft. His cap was also burned. He described the craft as having a smooth surface without visible joints or rivets. He observed colored lights and heard mysterious sounds from within. The craft then made strange sounds and lifted off with a rush of air. Michalak was hit by a blast of heat from the exhaust vent, burning his shirt and undershirt. He dived to the ground to extinguish the fire.

Feeling weak, he watched the UFO disappear. He managed to get home, where he told his wife the story. He had been taken to a hospital and treated for burns, telling the doctor he was burned by an airplane exhaust. A week later, his story appeared in newspapers, but few believed it. Government officials, RCMP, and military personnel investigated but released no results. Medical reports diagnosed Stephen Michalak with radioactive poisoning, and a geiger counter reading at the landing site showed a high level of radioactivity.

Seven Maxims on UFOs: A Scientific Approach (Part 2)

Authored by Peter M. Millman, this is the second part of a seven-part series. It discusses the historical context of UFO sightings, noting that strange images in the sky have been observed for centuries, predating the term 'flying saucer' and current space vehicle associations. The article references Ezekiel's description of 'wheels' and a 1290 A.D. account of a silver disk. It emphasizes that the UFO phenomenon is not new and not necessarily connected to atomic energy or space programs. The author points out that mysterious sky events have not materially changed their pattern over time, though the emphasis varies with human occupations and communication systems. The article concludes that there has never been a proven case of physical contact with alien spacecraft or an artifact of extraterrestrial origin. It also touches upon the problem of applying scientific critique to local events that seem on the verge of producing physical contact data but never do.

Special Report on Quebec UFO Wave of April 1977

This report, compiled by Howard Gontovnick, details heavy UFO activity in Quebec during April 1977. Sightings include:

• April 15th (Beloeil, P.Q.): One witness saw several UFOs in a triangular formation at high altitude, traveling quickly from south to north.
• Several other cases from Beloeil and the St. Hyacinthe region were reported.
• April 17th (St. Jérôme, P.Q.): Seven persons of a family witnessed several UFOs near St. Jérôme and Lafontaine region, described as reddish colored objects moving quickly from south to north, estimated at 3000 to 10,000 feet high. The UFO formations appeared in intervals, with patterns including single lights, formations of two, three, four, and six lights.
• April 17th (Beloeil, P.Q.): Two witnesses saw two crescent-shaped UFOs, side by side, heading south, surrounded by a whitish halo.

The report notes that the information was taken from the French magazine UFO-Quebec.

International Report on the Recent UFO Wave in Chile

This article discusses UFO sightings in Chile, suggesting it may be a 'tunnel' for UFOs entering Earth's atmosphere, according to UFOlogist Aime Michel's theory. The theory posits that UFOs enter through the South Pole to avoid the Van Allen belt, making the Chilean region a potential entry point.

Reports from northern Chile include sightings of orange-violet lights with reddish points. A significant case involves Corporal Armando Valdes, who claims to have been 'kidnapped' by a UFO. While on patrol, he saw two violet lights land. He went to investigate and disappeared for about 15 minutes. He later remembered sitting by a campfire, feeling strange. He told his men, "You don't know who we are nor where we are from. Soon we will return." He fell unconscious until 7 a.m. The mysterious lights disappeared earlier. In the morning, his men observed that his beard had grown as if five days had passed, and his digital watch showed advanced time and date. Researchers from the TEMUCO Center for Space Investigation warned Corporal Valdes about the dangers of being hypnotized to find secrets of his contact, citing a similar Argentinian case that ended in insanity.

The article concludes that the Chilean government remains silent on the matter, despite ongoing reports.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO Canada consistently highlights sightings of unusual aerial phenomena, with a particular emphasis on red lights and reports of potentially hostile or physically impactful encounters, such as the Falcon Lake case. The magazine appears to present these accounts with a degree of seriousness, including scientific analysis and detailed witness testimonies. The editorial stance, as indicated by the publisher and editor Howard A. Gontovnick, is to document and disseminate information on UFO phenomena, encouraging contributions and exchanges within the ufology community. The inclusion of a 'Scientific Approach' series suggests an attempt to frame the subject within a more analytical context, while the detailed reporting of specific incidents underscores a commitment to investigative journalism within the field of ufology.