The UFO Enigma - 1988 10 - Volume 9 no 2

Magazine Overview

Title: The UFO Enigma
Issue: Volume 9, Number 2
Date: October 1988
Publisher: UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The UFO Enigma, a monthly newsletter published by the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc., focuses on upcoming events, historical sightings, and new developments in UFO research. Membership is $8.00 per year.

Editorial Staff and Officers

The editorial staff includes Ken Hanke as Enigma Editor and Helen Hanke as Assistant Editor. The 1988-89 officers for the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis are: Joe Palermo (President), Frank Brown (Vice President), Spencer Wolling (Treasurer), Melva Hageman (Corresponding Secretary), John Roppolo (Recording Secretary), Joe Palermo & Peggy Roppolo (Librarian/Historians), Walter Palmer (Chief Field Investigator), and Ken Hanke (Marshal).

MUFON Regional Director to Speak at October Meeting

George Coyne, the newly elected MUFON Central States Director, is scheduled to speak at the October meeting of the UFO Study Group. He will be accompanied by his wife, Shirley. The meeting is on Sunday, October 9, at 2:00 p.m., at the Farm and Home Savings and Loan Community Room in Webster Groves. The Coynes are currently investigating the ongoing reports of the "Lake Erie craft." George Coyne has a degree in Psychology and retired from General Motors. He has been active in MUFON since 1983, holding various director positions. Under his leadership, Michigan MUFON has grown significantly, now boasting 95 active members and 10 subscribers. They also hold quarterly meetings and have formed an Abductee Support Group. The Coynes are active in public UFO information and have appeared on radio and television programs.

September Meeting Elects Officers

The September 11 meeting of the UFO Study Group featured the election of officers for the 1988-89 year. The following were elected unanimously: Joe Palermo (President), Frank Brown (Vice President), Spencer Wolling (Treasurer), John Roppolo (Corresponding Secretary), and Melva Hageman (Recording Secretary).

President's Message

Joseph L. Palermo, the new President, expresses his gratitude for the confidence placed in him. He recounts his early exposure to UFOlogy through Stanton T. Friedman and the UFO Study Group. Palermo emphasizes the need for renewed activity and increased public visibility for the Study Group, which he sees as the main channel for UFO information in the Greater St. Louis area. He highlights the work of the Library Committee in archiving materials and calls for members to contribute suggestions for improving the group's profile. Palermo also stresses the responsibility of the group to inform the public about UFOs and asks for volunteers for various committees.

Library Corner

Peggy Roppolo reports on the progress of the library committee. The collection is now 90% indexed thanks to John Roppolo's new computer. Approximately 10% of the archives have been collated. Several books will be available for members to check out at the October 9th meeting, including "Beyond Earth: Man's Contact With UFOs," "The Spaceships of Ezekiel," and "UFOs Past, Present & Future." Members must present proof of membership to borrow books, with a one-month checkout period. Reference books will also be available for on-site review.

Psychic Voice Taped 8,000 Miles From Source

Dr. Pacelli Brion and others attended a Parapsychology Committee meeting where Brion shared experiences. His sister, Presentacion Brion, recounted a mysterious voice that interrupted a tape recording, calling her nickname "Present." The voice was identified as having a unique accent from a village in the Philippines, 8,000 miles away. Further investigation confirmed the voice was not from a local source and was not that of their father. The article draws a parallel to UFO messages that Uri Geller claims are recorded on his tape machine. Walter Palmer also reported on the book "Beyond the Quantum" and recommended the magazine "UFO Universe."

Sightings Through the Years

This column, a semi-regular feature, presents historical UFO sightings from the group's archives:

• 1906, Missouri: A large, noiseless object, about 200 feet long, appeared overhead, causing panic among people and horses.
• 1897, Nebraska: A kite-shaped light, about half a mile high, was seen by 100 people.
• 1884, Nebraska: Rancher John W. Ellis and his hands witnessed a blazing metallic ball fall to earth, leaving fragments and dissolving after a rainstorm.
• 1618, China: A yellow-brown spinning object plunged into ponds and flew away.
• 100 B.C., Tarquinia, Italy: A circular shield-like object was observed sweeping across the sky.

Exopsychology: A Study of Alien Beings

John F. Schuessler introduces Exopsychology, a new field studying alien behavior, thought processes, and communication. It explores approaches like SETI and the analysis of UFO reports. The article notes that scientists often assume aliens communicate and behave like humans, but this may not be the case. Exopsychology aims to pave the way for future productive meetings with aliens by studying their potential behavior and attitudes.

The New Project Blue Book

Project Blue Book, the U.S. Air Force investigative arm for UFOs, has been reorganized as a civilian research association. Led by industrialist Bill Pitts, the new Project Blue Book will re-evaluate past UFO sighting reports from the mid-1940s through the 1960s. Pitts is seeking firsthand information, government correspondence, sighting reports, photos, and proof of any alleged "Crash retrieval" situations. All information will be handled confidentially and returned. Headquarters are located at Pitts' office in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Astronomy for Beginners Course

A four-session course titled "BEGINNERS GUIDE TO ASTRONOMY" will be held from October 6-27 at Holman Middle School in St. Charles. The instructor is Dave Rapp, and the cost is $10.00.

OOPS!

Corrections are noted for the previous issue: the sky-watch is on Saturday, October 22 (not October 15), and the correct phone number for contributions to The UFO Enigma is (314) 831-0413.

U.F.O! - The Show (An Editorial)

Ken Hanke reviews a new 40-minute show at the McDonnell Star Theater titled "U.F.O!". He describes it as an attempt at a balanced, objective look at UFOs, focusing on explaining sightings and presenting unexplainable cases. While acknowledging the show's entertainment value and narration by Leonard Nimoy, Hanke criticizes its dated material and avoidance of controversial incidents. He points out that the show only mentions CUFOS (Center for UFO Studies) in Chicago, ignoring local organizations like the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis and Missouri MUFON, despite their contributions and proximity. Hanke suggests the show's creators may have avoided mentioning local groups to maintain an inoffensive stance.

Membership Time

Information is provided for renewing or joining the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc. Annual dues are $8.00. Membership supports investigations, the library, speakers, and the newsletter. A membership form is included.

Calendar

October 1988 Events:

• Oct 5 (Wed): Parapsychology Committee Meeting, Schroeder home, St. Louis (7:30 p.m.).
• Oct 9 (Sun): UFO Study Group Meeting, Farm and Home Savings and Loan, Webster Groves (2:00 p.m.).
• Oct 18 (Tues): St. Charles UFO Committee Meeting, Bonanza Sirloin Pit, St. Charles (7:30 p.m.).
• Oct 22 (Sat): UFO Study Group Skywatch (weather permitting). Contact Bruce Widaman for details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the active engagement of local UFO groups (UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, MUFON), the importance of historical UFO research, and the exploration of new scientific and investigative approaches like Exopsychology and Project Blue Book. The editorial stance, particularly in Ken Hanke's review of the "U.F.O!" show, emphasizes the value of local expertise and the need for UFO organizations to maintain public visibility and recognition. There's a clear call for active participation and contribution from members to further the group's mission of investigating and reporting UFO phenomena.