Over the years, I tended to save documents and mailings that most folks would throw out after a time, and today I'm posting a couple more from the defunct Aerial Phenomena Research Organization -- and shortly after I drafted this blog entry there was a new development pertaining to APRO. But first:
The membership letter dated April 25, 1974 actually reached most members about a month later and designates a rare occasion when APRO's Jim and Coral Lorenzen journeyed way back East in the U.S. to offer a UFO symposium. The occasion included a worthwhile speakers' list.
The other sheet was folded into mailings of the APRO Bulletin (May-June, 1975 issue) a year later, touting APRO associate Hal Starr's radio series, "UFO Report." In addition to well-known radio personalities such as Starr, Frank Edwards and Long John Nebel, American and Canadian locations hosted a smattering of UFO-related radio shows in the fifties, sixties and seventies. These were particularly valuable in keeping the UFO subject out in the open and in front of the microphone, a true public service provided long before "Coast to Coast AM" assumed the broadcast throne (which young people probably believe was a "first" -- sorry, not true).
A SIGNIFICANT PIECE OFAPRO's HISTORY AVAILABLE FOR FREE: Frank Warren's UFO Chronicles (see link) noted a few days ago that nearly all old copies of the APRO Bulletin are being scanned and put up for free download at:
http://www.openminds.tv/apro-bulletins
I'm a bit ambivalent about this for two reasons. First, I think it's great and a wonderful tribute to the work of the late Jim and Coral Lorenzen and their many associates around the world who truly illuminated the fact that UFOs are a global phenomenon. However, in constant fear, as I am, of copyright infringements and stepping on the toes of those who claim ownership of various publications, I'm hoping that no problems crop up. I've mentioned in the past that I wanted to scan old copies of the Bulletin for this blog, but never felt comfortable doing so. Nevertheless, if this nonprofit venture continues unimpeded, some super UFO history will be out there for instant access, and I could do nothing less than applaud the project. I wrote a few things for the Bulletin myself in days of old, so it's a little strange for me to see these Internet reflections of the past.
