Friday, April 16, 2010

A Brief Synopsis of the 2010 Ozark UFO Conference: A Spectators View

Ozark UFO Conference
By Mike Driscoll
The UFO Chronicles
4-13-10

Mike Driscoll     The annual Ozark UFO Conference (for those not familiar with such particulars) is one of the foremost events in the field of Ufology; last weekend marked its 22nd consecutive year and that is no small accomplishment!

In its history, it has presented many of the most distinguished names in the field from around the world, and if you've never been to the Ozarks in the early Spring, then you are missing out on one of nature’s most amazing spectacles—everything is in bloom—the trees, the flowers, it’s absolutely beautiful! Moreover, the historic town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas sits right in the middle of all this splendor. The symposium is held at The Best Western Inn in the Ozarks Conference Center during the second long weekend of April; I use the term, “long weekend” because it starts on Friday afternoon and ends Sunday morning; however, those three days go by way to quickly.

This year’s conference was a huge success. The speakers were all headliners presenting their material to an almost overflowing crowd of eager listeners. Having said that, the outcome could have gone the other way this year, had not a handful of dedicated volunteers and committee members stepped up to the plate.

Lou Farish, another great name in Ufology, decided to take a short sabbatical this year, and who can blame him? He organized, nurtured and raised this conference from its infancy into what it has become today. Lou was at the helm for 20 straight years. Ponder on that—20 straight years! This is one of the longest running, annual UFO conferences of all time. Just organizing an important event like this for “one year” could be a life changing experience. Can you imagine how much work and planning, and the amount of personnel it would take to pull off an event like this and make it almost flawless? We're talking guest speaker selection, travel arrangements, seating arrangements, audio/visual personnel, lighting specialists, vendor selections and tables for them to display their wares, reservations, seating arrangements for the audience etc., etc. Now multiply that by 20 and you'll understand why Lou took a much-deserved rest.

In the spirit of Lou’s work ethic, the new committee members and their team of dedicated volunteers rolled up their sleeves and took to business. I give them an A+. The conference format was changed somewhat from what it used to be but everything flowed beautifully right up to the end. I personally don't know all of these hard working people but “all” should be commended, and to name a few: Jean Seifried, Lee Clinton, George Wingfield—your hard work, dedication and keeping the annual conference up and running without a hitch is much appreciated—my thanks to all of you!

All speakers were allotted two hours for their respective presentations, which included a Q & A session at the end; this being slightly modified from previous years, where speakers were given an hour and a half and a joint Q & A session was performed with everyone simultaneously, once the last lecture was given on Saturday night. After each night’s performance a suite was set aside where the audience members could mingle with the speakers and go one on one with them. That still held true for this year’s conference.

Forrest Crawford was the Master of Ceremonies, as he has been for a number of years. He is captain of the ship and keeps things running smoothly, even when the waters become a little rough occasionally. Forrest's well-tuned sense of humor keeps everyone entertained; I really can't picture a conference without him—he’s a welcomed addition anywhere, anytime.

This Year’s Line-Up

Jeff Wilson--USA crop Circles and the Return of the Thunderbird

Jeff is the director and co-founder of the Independent Crop Circle Researcher's Association. (ICCRA) He has investigated crop circles in the U.S. since 1996. He discussed the correlations between crop circles and the Native American cultures and Native American formations. His research and different approach in attempting to solve the crop circle mystery really got all of our attention. I am very much in awe of his research!

Jeff's website is at WWW.iccra.org

Stephen Bassett--Exopolitics, Ufology, Disclosure, and the New World Order

Steve is the executive director of the Paradigm Research Group (PRG), the Political Action Committee (X-PPAC) and executive producer of the X-Conference. He talked about all of the subjects listed and had a very good speech on "The Truth Embargo" concerning an extraterrestrial presence interacting with the human race and when will our government admit it. He also talked about the up and coming X-Conference, 2010. It will be May 7th through May 9th at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. You can listen in from home via live streaming. You can get all the details at his website.

WWW.paradigmresearchgroup.org

Nick Pope--United Kingdom Ministry of Defense UFO Files

Certainly Nick needs no introduction. We see him on most of the UFO documentaries. Of course he is from England and his job with the Ministry of Defense (MoD) was to oversee the British government's UFO project. He talked about the recent decision of the British government's decision to release its UFO files to the public (still ongoing). Nick also discussed some of the most amazing cases from these files; however, as it is with most governments, some files will not be released due to national security. Nick also has a terrific sense of humor and kept all in attendance anticipating his next statement . . . and they say the Brits have no sense of humor!

Nick's website is at WWW.nickpope.net


James Clarkson--Finding June Crain: The Discovery of a Key Witness to the On-going UFO Cover-up

James is a retired police sergeant Aberdeen, WA. He spent over twenty-five years on the force. His career was composed mostly of criminal investigations. He also held other positions in the department and taught classes there. His whole life centered on investigations. His presentation was on June Crain, the secretary that worked at Wright Field (later Wright-Patterson Air Force Base) from 1943 until 1952. She was the lady that actually handled the "Mystery Metal" that we've all heard about from the Roswell crash. You could bend it, fold it, roll it up and it would return to it's original shape instantly. She also overheard Army personnel and some scientists she worked with mention “UFO crashes and alien bodies.” She got tired of the cover up and contacted James and gave him the rights to interview her and write a book, in her own words.

Jame's website is at WWW.clarksonufo.com

Richard Dolan--UFO's and the National Security State: The Cover-up Exposed, 1973-1991

Richard, as we all know, is also a very familiar face ala TV documentaries. He graduated from the University of Rochester with a graduate degree in History. As an historian, he ranks right up there with the best of them. He is also one of the most organized and fluent researchers I have ever seen. He presented evidence from his new book "UFO's and the National Security State: The Cover-up Exposed, 1973-1991" I read his first book "UFO's and the National Security State: Volume One, 1941-1973". Wow! This man really delves into the UFO enigma and comes up with some really compelling evidence. He has decided to do a trilogy so there will be another book, Volume 3, coming out later, and I can't wait!

Richard's website is at www.keyholepublishing.com

Linda Moulton Howe and John Burroughs--Update: 1980 Bentwaters with John Burroughs

No need whatsoever to introduce Linda. She is as visible in Ufology as the space shuttle is on liftoffs! She has received many, many rewards in her reporting career, which I won't go into here due to lack of space. She could probably fill up a couple pages with her Emmy’s and achievements! She is also a true humanitarian and is very concerned about our environment and is not afraid to speak out on it. She brought John Burroughs with her, who is one of the eyewitness to the UFO's sighted at RAF Bentwaters in December 1980; he was as part of the base security force. Curiously, John has been having problems recalling the events of that night in their entirety, and with Linda's help has been undergoing hypnotic regression. He hopes to unravel the events which changed his life, and to finally understand exactly what did happen to him and his co-workers on that night almost 30 years ago. By the way, Linda has been asked to return to Eureka Springs every year. Need I say more?

Linda's web site is: www.earthfiles.com

Jim Marrs-- What's Next for Ufology?

Hang on to your hats, pardner, because when Jim Marrs takes the podium, you're in for a wild ride! Jim's two-hour presentation went by in a flash. He has researched much more than UFO's and has come up with conclusions on his subject matter that will really get you to thinking. And that's exactly what he wants the rest of us to do. Get up out of the chair and start researching an event that has given you some questions or stated something that made you feel uncomfortable or doubtful. His presentation on reclaiming America was very stirring and actually sent out a huge wave of patriotism that was felt by all! The entire audience was captivated. He also has written a string of number one sellers such as "Alien Agenda", and "Above Top Secret"

Jim's website is at: www.jimmarrs.com

I did not see the two Sunday speakers, Debbie Jordan-Kauble and Bill Pitts, and I felt bad about that because I really wanted to hear what both of them had to say, but it's a nine-hour trip back to my hometown in Illinois and I didn't want to arrive too late in the night (you can blame the large deer population for that). However, every speaker was recorded and their respective DVD's will soon be available; count me in for Debbie's and Bill's. I can provide a little background information on both of them.

Debbie Jordan-Kauble--Intruders: 27 Years Later

Remember Budd Hopkin's "Intruders, The Incredible Visitations at Copely Woods"? I do, very vividly! “The Abduction Phenomenon” was a pretty new thing back then and this book is a true and accurate account of the strange things and events that were happening to Debbie, AKA "Kathy Davis," a pseudonym she used to protect her family back then. Does Kathy Davis ring a bell now? She co-authored with her sister, Kathy Mitchell, "Abducted, The Story of the Intruders Continues" She was presenting material to share with us how her life has been over the last 27 years. There was also a TV movie made based upon her experiences called "Intruders" if I remember right.

Deb's website is at: www.xgenco.com/debshome

Bill Pitts--Project Blue Book Remembered

Bill Pitts was the organizer of the very first Ozark UFO Conference. He has had ties with many UFO organizations through these years e.g., NICAP, APRO, CUFOS, was a MUFON State Director and is a board member of the International UFO Registry. What an interesting career in Ufology. I will certainly buy his presentation on Project Blue Book on DVD.

Well, that is a very condensed synopsis on the 2010 Eureka Springs UFO Conference. In closing, here are a few good tidbits to know while you are in Eureka Springs: The restaurant in the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks, "Myrtle May's" is one of the best. All three meals are served at affordable prices—it’s the closest thing to "homemade" I've ever seen; the motel staff and management are unequaled in friendliness, and co-operation—a very well run establishment. If you like B-B-Q, then there is only one place in town, just a stone's throw away and that is "Bubba's!" One trip there and Bubba’s will forever be entrenched in your memory. UMM!

Thanks to all of you on this year’s committee for making a very successful conference! Thanks Bill Pitts for starting the very first conference. Thanks Lou Farish for covering the next twenty!

See you all next year!

~ In Remembrance of My Beloved Wife Bonnie ~

Mike & Bonnie Driscoll

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