The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • Page 75

A I 0 The Sun Sunday, March 17, 1996 Page 9a 500 believers convene in 'UFO Capital of the World' They compare notes, watch skies in Florida panhandle ported photographs of alien life. Among activities planned for the three-day convention are a skywatch at a local beach where numerous people claim they have seen UFOs hover and zoom across the sky. Discussions included a meeting on the Bible and flying saucers. All this UFO talk seems to embarrass some local residents, and Mayor Gilchrist says there may be a logical explanation for all the lights appearing In the night skies. He pointed out that there are five military airfields nearby, as well as the Pensacola Regional Airport about three miles away.

he blacked out for about an hour after feeling the presence of a UFO, an experience he described in his book, "The Gulf Breeze Sightings." Skeptics abound. A local newspaper investigated Mr. Walters' reports and found a model UFO made of paper plates and some drafting paper In an attic of his former home. Some said the findings proved he had faked his photographs, but Mr. Walters said he was framed by skeptics.

These sightings are among many topics at the conference, where 500 people from 32 states are comparing sightings and pur the Florida panhandle to provide clues of extraterrestrial life. That's what students of the phenomena of unidentified flying objects say, prompting hundreds of believers to gather here this weekend for the fourth annual Gulf Breeze UFO Conference. "It's the only place In the country or in the world that has these sightings repeatedly," said Walt Andrus, International director of the Mutual UFO Network. The group, based in Seguin, Texas, said there are several UFO sightings per week in what some dub the "UFO Capital of the World." The excitement all started in 1987 when dozens of UFO sightings were reported around Gulf Breeze. "I have some very good friends who I have a lot of respect for, and they claim to have had a real sight ing," said Lane Gilchrist, mayor of this wealthy seaside community of 6,000 residents.

Homebuilder Ed Walters became the best known of the local spotters of life from the beyond after he went public In 1987 with photographs he claimed to have taken of UFOs. During a six-month period he reported 20 sightings and took 39 photographs. At one point, he said REUTERS GULF BREEZE, Fla. Alien beings, taunting earthlings with repeated overflights In exotic space craft, have chosen this wealthly seaside town at the tip of IIS CL II EXCLUSIVE 7-PIECE It's yours with any Clinique purchase of I or more 5 "Clinique In The Present" bonus includes a cosmetics pouch filled with take-along sizes of: Clarifying Lotion 2. Makes skin more receptive to moisture.

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