UFO POTPOURRI

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO POTPOURRI
Issue: No. 14
Date: April 1971
Publisher: John F. Schuessler
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of UFO POTPOURRI, a newsletter focused on UFO phenomena, is dated April 1971 and edited by John F. Schuessler. It serves as a platform for sharing information, research, and reports related to UFO sightings and investigations.

1971 Midwest UFO Conference—Defiance to Science:

The lead article announces the upcoming 1971 Midwest UFO Conference, scheduled to be held in St. Louis, Missouri. It emphasizes the distinguished group of UFO researchers and investigators who will be present, highlighting St. Louis as a central location for the event. The conference aims to bring together experts to discuss the UFO phenomena.

What is the Midwest UFO Network (MUFON)?

This section defines the Midwest UFO Network (MUFON) as an organized group of individuals dedicated to resolving UFO mysteries. MUFON's philosophy is to maintain an open mind to all hypotheses while approaching the subject scientifically and objectively. The organization is structured to coordinate investigative and research activities, assimilate information from interviews, and disseminate UFO reports. It is overseen by a Director, assisted by various staff members including a Research Director, Public Relations Director, Amateur Radio Communications Director, and the Editor of SKYLOOK. A group of consultants with expertise in various technological fields are available for investigation. The network comprises State Directors who lead State-Section Directors, who in turn develop competent Field Investigators. An Amateur Radio Communications Network facilitates voice communication and information dissemination. MUFON is a not-for-profit corporation whose major activities include sponsoring the annual Midwest UFO Conference. Membership is by invitation only, ensuring qualified and sincere participants. Contact information for Walter H. Andrus Jr., Director, is provided.

Second Annual Midwest UFO Conference Program

The program for the Second Annual Midwest UFO Conference, sponsored by the UFO Study Group of Greater St. Louis, Inc., is detailed. The conference features a morning session with a welcome by John F. Schuessler, an introduction to MUFON by Walter H. Andrus Jr., a presentation on "THE ALIENS" by Hayden C. Hewes, and a talk on "DOCUMENTATION: EVIDENCE OF GOVERNMENT CONCERN" by Sherman J. Larsen.

The afternoon session includes presentations on "LANDING TRACES: PHYSICAL EVIDENCE FOR THE UFO" by Ted Phillips Jr., "GEOMAGNETISM AND UFO INDUCED DISTURBANCES - AN AID TO DETECTION" by William H. Hunkins, and "SCIENCE, TRUTH, AND THE UFO" by Alexander Calandra, PhD.

The evening session features Stanton T. Friedman discussing "UFO'S MYTH AND MYSTERY," followed by a critique and panel discussion with all conference speakers. A dinner is scheduled at the Holiday Inn.

UFO Phenomena — January 20, 1971

This article reports on an incident involving American Airlines Flight 275, which encountered a sky phenomenon 50 miles west of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The pilot, Capt. Kenneth G. Baker, announced the sighting to passengers. Michael M. Graham, an employee of McDonnell Douglas Astronautics, described the object as a "diffused circular blob" with a bright white core, surrounded by a greenish-blue cloud. The objects appeared stationary initially but seemed to gain on the aircraft. The conditions were dark at 16,000 ft. altitude, with a clear sky. The report, condensed from SKYLOOK, suggests the object fits the description of an upper altitude research rocket, possibly launched from Wallops Island, Va. An investigation contacted Joyce B. Milliner at Wallops Station, who stated their facility was not responsible, but suggested a chemical cloud experiment from Elgin Air Force Base, Florida.

News Release: Elgin Air Force Base, Florida

A United States Air Force news release details a series of rocket probes launched from Elgin Air Force Base to study the upper atmosphere, beginning January 13th. These launches create colored clouds visible in the southeastern United States during twilight hours. The project, sponsored by the Advanced Research Projects Agency, involves releasing vaporized Barium at high altitudes to produce a plasma cloud. The clouds appear as a rapidly expanding blue-green sphere that changes color. A violet ionized cloud also separates. The release lists dates and times of recent "inner space" rocket probes since 1959. It notes that the date of the American Airlines incident (January 20th) was missing from their records, and the investigation concluded with the available information.

Ball of Flames Puzzles Kantoites

A brief report from the Asahi Japan Evening News (March 5, 1971) describes a "ball of fire" seen falling in broad daylight in the Kanto area, Japan. While some speculated it was a burning satellite or plane, the Astronomical Observatory identified it as a big falling star.

UFO Spotted Over Breese Tuesday

This report from The Breese Ill Journal (April 1, 1971) details several unidentified flying objects sighted by residents between 7:30 and 8:00 PM. Mike and Harold Meyer observed a UFO hovering above a factory, described as saucer-shaped with a ring, flashing red and white lights. The object headed northeast at a fast speed. Others in the neighborhood also witnessed the phenomenon. A subsequent sighting of a UFO headed south occurred about 1.5 hours later.

UFO Reports Available

This section, referencing Astronautics and Aeronautics (April 1971), recommends scientific references for UFO research, including "The Symposium on UFOs," "Project Bluebook Special Report No. 14," "The UFO Evidence," and "Flying Saucer Energetics" by Stanton T. Friedman. Information on obtaining "Flying Saucer Energetics" is provided.

Dr. J. Allen Hynek Visits St. Louis

An announcement notes that Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Director of Astronomy at Northwestern University and scientific advisor to the USAF, will visit St. Louis on Tuesday, April 27th, to give a lecture titled "Do UFOs Exist." His host is the St. Louis Aero Club, and the lecture will be held at the Officers Club at the old Navy Base.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the promotion and organization of UFO research, particularly through the Midwest UFO Network (MUFON) and its annual conference. There is a strong emphasis on scientific investigation, maintaining an open mind to various hypotheses, and disseminating credible information. The editorial stance, as indicated by the "SKYLOOK policy," is "to separate fact from fantasy, 'to tell it like it is.'" The publication also highlights specific UFO sighting reports and governmental involvement (or lack thereof) in UFO investigations, such as the closure of Project Bluebook.