UFO Update - Vol 1 No 1 - 1977

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO UPDATE
Issue: Vol. 1, No. 1
Date: September 1977
Publisher: Northeastern U.F.O. Organization
Country of Publication: Canada
Language: English
Cover Price: $1.25 per copy

This inaugural issue of UFO UPDATE, published by the Northeastern U.F.O. Organization, serves as a platform for reporting and investigating UFO phenomena. The cover features a striking image of a flying saucer and the headline "UFO UPDATE," along with the designation "SEPT 77" and "UFO Photo File No. 125."

Staff and Organization

The Northeastern U.F.O. Organization is a non-profit entity dedicated to research and studies in ufology. The publication lists its staff, including Gene Duplantier (Art Consultant), Malcolm Williams (Photographer), Tom Grey (Editor & Publisher), Mike Kelly (Copy Editor), and various staff writers and researchers. The organization is based in both Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and North Tonawanda, New York, USA.

UFO-UPDATE is published nine times a year with a subscription price of $9.00 per year and a single copy price of $1.25. It was established in September 1977.

Editorial

The editorial section recounts a field trip to Erie, PA, where the editor visited Miss Madeline Wolf, who had a recent UFO encounter en route to New York. Miss Wolf captured color photos of the object, which are now with the U.F.O. Education Center in Appleton, Wisconsin. The editorial raises questions about the U.F.O. Education Center's alleged collaboration with the U.S. Government on research and wonders if the government is aware of and concealing information about George Adamski.

The organization appeals to any UFO organization with information to contact them at their North Tonawanda, NY address.

UFO Photo: Paul Villa

A photograph is presented, identified as a UFO taken by Paul Villa near Bernalillo, New Mexico, on April 18, 1965.

Alien Spacecraft? Crashed Saucers?

This section addresses images of what might appear to be alien spacecraft. One large image shows what is identified as a mock-up at "Bumpershoot '76," held at the International Fountain in Seattle Center, Washington, USA, from August 27 to September 4. The photos are courtesy of Gene Duplantier and John Mullet. The text questions why Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is not displaying similar "crashed UFOs." Another image is presented as an "EXTRA TERRESTRIAL SPACESHIP," claimed to be an actual flying saucer photographed on June 16, 1963, near Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, Northeastern UFO expresses doubts about this particular sighting.

By the Camera: Controversy in America

This article details a sighting on Thursday, March 10, 1977, by 13-year-old Ricky Branenburg in Indianapolis, Indiana. While walking home from school around 4 PM, he observed a silver disc-shaped object with a clear plastic-like dome circling the neighborhood. Ricky took six Instamatic camera pictures before the object disappeared into the clouds. His father initially dismissed the story as a child's imagination, but Mr. Branenburg, an employee of Trans World Airlines, reportedly stopped laughing after the pictures were developed, noting the object was spinning fast and made no audible sound. Original photos are in color, and enlargements of the Indianapolis UFO are continued on the next page.

Sightings

This section presents two photographic images related to UFO sightings. The top image is a blurry photograph of a distant object. The bottom image is a more detailed, though still somewhat blurry, photograph of a distinct UFO shape.

The Joe Borda UFO Incident

This report details an investigation by Northeastern U.F.O. Organization and Research Studies investigators Leonard Kornacki, Malcolm Williams, and Brian Berard into an incident involving Canadian tobacco farmer Joe Borda on his farm in Mount Pleasant, Ontario, Canada. On Sunday, July 6, 1975, around 5 PM, Joe Borda observed a shiny domed object hovering over his tobacco crops. He discovered damaged plants and two greenish-blue oily spots on July 8. Joe contacted the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and Sgt. Bud Soroka took oily samples to the OPP's Toronto lab for analysis. The report notes that no one has heard about the samples since. The investigation team found a circle measuring twenty feet in diameter where the tobacco plants were burnt and damaged, showing a blueish tint glowing effect. Malcolm Williams took photos of the damaged area. Leonard Kornacki also had a plant sample analyzed, which contained sand and an oily silicon-based substance of unknown composition. Mal sent his samples to Ted Phillips of the Center for UFO Studies in Evanston, Illinois, for analysis, but Mr. Phillips has reportedly not released the report.

UFOLK Magazine Announcement

An advertisement introduces UFOLK, described as Canada's newest photographic magazine featuring personalities in UFOlogy, edited and published by Gene Duplantier. The first issue is scheduled to include features on Toronto CBers, UFO conventions, Gray Barker, and more. The price is $2.00 per copy, with a special offer for UFO UPDATE readers to receive a free copy of "Flying Saucer Treasure Trove" with an order. Payment should be made to Gene Duplantier at his Willowdale, Ontario address.

Additional Photos

Two more photographs are presented. The top image shows a field of crops, possibly related to the Joe Borda incident. The bottom image is a close-up of a damaged plant, likely from the same incident.

Toronto Area UFO Sighting

This section describes a series of photos taken by Northeastern UFO (Canada) field investigators Tom Grey and Mike Kelly on Sunday, May 29, 1977. Following a call to the "UFO HOTLINE," 17-year-old Laura Pennington reported a possible UFO hovering over the Lake Ontario shoreline at 12:50 PM. By the time Grey and Kelly arrived at 1:15 PM, the object was visible through binoculars. The first photo was taken at 1:30 PM, and a second photo ten seconds later revealed no object. The object made no audible sound. A photo enlargement of a mushroom-shaped UFO seen over Melbourne, Australia, in 1966 is shown, noted as similar to the Toronto area UFO seen in the accompanying photos.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of UFO UPDATE revolve around photographic evidence of UFOs, eyewitness accounts of sightings, and investigative efforts into unexplained aerial phenomena. The publication appears to adopt a critical yet open stance, questioning official narratives (e.g., regarding government involvement and the authenticity of certain photos) while actively seeking and presenting information from various sources. There is a clear emphasis on documenting and analyzing UFO incidents, with a particular interest in cases involving physical evidence or unusual characteristics. The organization aims to be a reliable source of information for those interested in the UFO phenomena, encouraging readers to share any relevant data they may possess.

Title: U.F.O. UPDATE
Issue Date: May 29th, 1977
Publisher: Northeastern UFO Canada
Country: Canada
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of U.F.O. UPDATE focuses on UFO sightings, photographic evidence, and related organizational activities. It includes reports of sightings from various locations and times, details a procedure for reporting UFOs, and advertises a course on ufology.

Key Articles and Reports

Mushroom UFO over Toronto

The cover story details a "MUSHROOM UFO" observed over Toronto, Canada, on May 29th, 1977, at 1:30 P.M. The accompanying image shows a circular object with a dark center against a light background.

UFO Photographs and Sightings

Several photographs and descriptions of UFO sightings are presented:

• April 2nd, 1966: A photo taken by a resident of Balwyn Gardens, Australia. The original prints are in color. This photo, along with an enlargement, is shown with Toronto UFO photos taken in Melbourne, Australia. Courtesy of Gene Duplantier.
• 1954: A photograph taken by S. Darbishire in England shows a bell-shaped object, noted as being similar to photos taken by George Adamski in California in 1952. Courtesy of Northeastern UFO (USA).
• December 18th, 1966: UFO photos taken by Vincent Perna in Lake Tiorati, N.Y., shortly after 4 P.M. The camera used was a Brownie Starflash with black and white film. Photos courtesy of Northeastern UFO Niagara Falls, Canada.
• July 16th, 1969: The launch of the moon-bound Apollo 11 from Cape Kennedy was witnessed by newsmen and a "strangely shaped extraterrestrial craft." The issue claims that Apollo 11's photographs of UFOs watching the astronauts were concealed by NASA, who couldn't explain the objects and didn't want the truth revealed.
• 1952: A photo bottom right is attributed to George Adamski in California.
• Toronto, Canada: Photos of Dennis Prophet's UFO Research tracking van are shown, with the bottom left showing a UFO van ready for action. Dennis can be reached at 416-284-0246, and is described as the man who "opened the flood-gates of public UFO interest in Canada."

MERINT Radiotelegraph Procedure

Pages 4 and 5 detail the "MERINT RADIOTELEGRAPH PROCEDURE" for "EARLY WARNING IN DEFENSE OF THE NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT." This procedure outlines what to report (hostile, suspicious, or unidentified airborne and waterborne objects, aircraft or contrails directed against the US/Canada, submarines, and unidentified flying objects), to whom to send the report (various naval, coast guard, and commercial radio stations), and how to send it (using specific message formats like "MERINT MERINT MERINT" or "EMERGENCY"). It provides examples of message content, including ship name, object description, position, time, date, altitude, direction, and speed.

UFO Course

Page 9 features an announcement from "Investigations Research Inc." presenting "A COURSE IN UFOLOGY." This twelve-week course, starting September 9th and ending November 25th, runs weekly from 8-10 PM at Humber College of Applied Arts and Technology in Rexdale, Ontario. The course aims to provide a broad perspective of UFO phenomena, assuming their existence, and will cover topics such as the history of UFOs, "hard" sightings, underwater sightings, alien contact, information gathering techniques, biblical and mythological references, coverups, psychic phenomena, and current ufologist issues. A guest lecturer will also discuss personal UFO experiences. Registration is limited, and interested individuals are encouraged to call 826-6073 or write to U.P. Investigations Research Inc.

UFO Hoax

Page 10 details the "PAUL KNIGHT UFO PHOTO HOAX." On March 24th, 1976, Paul Knight and a friend took a photograph of a Volkswagen hubcap, presenting it as a real UFO to investigators. This hoax successfully duped many UFO groups, including Project S.U.M. in St. Catherines, Ontario, and Reptune Research in West Hill, Ontario. Knight later admitted on a radio program that he wanted to see how far UFO organizations would go with investigations and stated he would not photograph a real UFO if given the chance.

UFO Clipping Service

An advertisement for "A.P.C.I.C. UFO Clipping Service" is present on page 13. This service offers "complete U.S. & Canadian coverage of UFO, Monster and related sightings on a regular monthly basis," with a special section on world-wide UFO sightings. Subscriptions are $5.00 for the first month's issue, and further information can be obtained by writing to the Aerial Phenomenon Clipping & Information Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

Membership Application

Page 6 contains an "INACTIVE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION" for the "NORTHEASTERN U.F.O. ORGANIZATION AND RESEARCH STUDIES (NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION)." It requests personal details and requires the applicant to uphold the organization's constitution and by-laws.

Subscription Information

An "UFO UPDATE SUBSCRIPTION FORM" is included on page 4, offering a single issue for $1.25 and a yearly subscription for $9.00. Payments should be made via check or money order payable to Tom Grey, c/o Northeastern UFO Canada. A warning is given not to send money in the mail.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the documentation and investigation of UFO phenomena, including photographic evidence, official procedures for reporting, and educational initiatives. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry into UFOs, while also acknowledging and exposing hoaxes. The publication aims to inform its readers about sightings, research efforts, and the broader context of UFO studies, including historical perspectives and potential coverups.