The UFO Enigma - 1983 01 - Volume 3 no 5

Magazine Overview

Title: THE UFO ENIGMA
Issue: VOLUME 3, NUMBER, 5
Date: January 1983
Publisher: UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Editor: John E. Schroeder

This issue of The UFO Enigma, a monthly newsletter from the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc., focuses on a specific UFO sighting and provides updates on the group's activities and related research.

St. Charles Investigation of Winged UFO

The lead article details an investigation into a sighting that occurred on April 23, 1982, at approximately 10:20 P.M. along Elm Point Road in St. Charles, Missouri. Witnesses Mark and JoAnne Straun, along with their son Marc, reported seeing two stacked lights above Monsanto Chemical Company. Mark estimated the lights were about half a mile away. As they drove, the upper light moved north and disappeared, while the lower light dropped in altitude, following the Norfolk and Western Railroad. Mark lost sight of the light briefly due to trees but then saw it cross in front of their car at about 20 feet altitude as it crossed Elm Point Road. The object was described as having the shape of an aircraft with several lights. It then followed the railway northeast and disappeared. Mark noted that the craft made no sound and that his car radio was not on. JoAnne corroborated the story but was frightened and covered her eyes. Mark described the craft as flat with swept-back wings, featuring a single white light at the front and four red and two white lights on the rear, set against a white porcelain background. A follow-up investigation two weeks later observed a similar phenomenon over a three-mile stretch, and it was learned that a power transformer near the railway intersection had to be replaced shortly after the sighting, though the reason remains unknown pending discussion with railroad officials.

UFO Study Group Meetings and Activities

The newsletter announces a special January 1983 meeting for the UFO Study Group, held one week later than usual due to facility availability. The meeting on Sunday, January 16, at the Farm and Home Savings Association West County Office in Des Peres, MO, featured Board Chairman John E. Schroeder reviewing 'Andreason Affair II,' an abductee account with parapsychological elements. Local sighting reports and discussions of UFO publications were also planned. The Executive Board meeting was rescheduled to Sunday, January 23, at Clayton Federal Savings and Loan Building in Webster, MO, with Irene Alexander, President, presiding. The February meeting was confirmed for February 13, 1983, at the usual location.

Dr. Pacelli Brion Tells Bizarre Tales

This section, written by Viola Echele, reports on a meeting of the Parapsychology committee on December 1 at Key Productions' office. Dr. Pacelli Brion shared biographical information about his wife Noemi and discussed a friend, Theresa, whose psychic abilities were rejected by her relatives. He recounted instances where Theresa's abilities seemingly manifested, such as driving over 50 miles to 'rescue a sick friend' who was found in a diabetic reaction. He also shared a case where Theresa and her child communicated with a ghostly figure, and her boys, at ages 15 and 16, depicted themselves as having died in a car accident, coinciding with a patient of Dr. Brion's who killed two teenagers in a car accident. Dr. Brion posed the question, 'Is this possibly instant reincarnation?'. Don Haskins presented a promotional blurb for Charles Hickson's book, 'UFO Contact at Pascagoula,' with a review to follow in a future Enigma issue. John Schroeder was scheduled to discuss 'PSI In Police Cases' at the next meeting on January 5, 1983.

Everyone Gains at Christmas Party

Eleanor Schroeder reports on the annual UFO Study Group Christmas party held on December 12th. Over 50 members, families, and friends attended. The event included community singing of UFO parodies of Christmas carols, a shared feast, a CUFOS slide show on UFOs/IFOs by Dr. J. Allen Hynek, and a slide-film on 'Close Encounters' purchased by Marjorie Sherrill. The hall was decorated, and the event was described as a fulfilling fellowship and informational event.

Investigators Discuss Pending Cases

Viola Echele also covers a meeting of UFO Investigators on November 1, 1982, with seven attendees at 'Chuck' Adams' home. Marjorie Sherrill and 'Chuck' Adams discussed the Ditmer Case and other sightings. 'Chuck' Adams recounted a ten-year-old sighting investigated with Barbara Becker, involving a bluish object with three lights that moved swiftly toward Hampton Village around 9:30 P.M. Afterward, a helicopter was seen in the same area. Bob Murphy discussed indoor UFO phenomena (glowing orbs in dark rooms). Bob Murphy and Leo Wicklinski discussed a case for further investigation. Chuck Adams and Mike Shannon established criteria for processing cases, with rules for investigation possibly to be printed in Enigma as an educational series.

Field Investigators See Stars

Charles K. Adams reports on the December 6 meeting of field investigators. Jeff Kretsch presented on planets and stars with slides. Bruce Widaman showed slides from the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS). Three interesting active cases were noted. The next meeting was scheduled for January 3, 1983, at Adams' home, with a program to be finalized.

Book Review: The Great Airship Mystery: A UFO of the 1890s

David A. Schroth reviews Daniel Cohen's book, 'The Great Airship Mystery: A UFO of the 1890s.' The book examines eyewitness reports of strange objects in the sky during the late nineteenth century, covering sightings from California to Missouri, including 'close encounters.' It discusses the state of aeronautical knowledge, hoaxes, alleged photographs, and the influence of science fiction. Cohen concludes that the airship mystery was largely a social and newspaper phenomenon, fueled by tall tales and potentially 'hoax conspiracies.' The review highlights that detailed analysis, as demonstrated by the book, is sufficient to understand the phenomenon, recommending it highly.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently focuses on the investigation and reporting of UFO sightings, emphasizing firsthand accounts and detailed witness testimonies. The UFO Study Group appears to be an independent organization actively engaged in field investigations, case processing, and public education through its newsletter and meetings. There is a clear interest in the psychological and parapsychological aspects of UFO experiences, as evidenced by the discussion of Dr. Pacelli Brion's work and the review of 'Andreason Affair II.' The publication also delves into historical UFO phenomena, as seen in the review of 'The Great Airship Mystery.' The editorial stance is one of open inquiry and detailed reporting, encouraging member participation and the sharing of information within the UFO research community.