Mysterious objects puzzle couple
October 18, 2007
By Ellen Ast
Albany Democrat-Herald
David Patton/Democrat-Herald
Raye Laufer of Lacomb describes objects she saw fly over her house one night in late September.
LACOMB - Raye Laufer has a vivid recollection of what she and her husband Derral saw in the sky above their Lacomb home last month and wants to know if others saw the same thing.
On Saturday, Sept. 22, the Laufers stepped outside to smoke cigarettes in the forested back yard of their Moran Lane home, nestled in a quiet valley among hills about five miles outside from Lacomb. It was shortly after 9 p.m., a clear night.
The couple fixed their attention on two long, silver, bullet-shaped objects flying side-by-side across the sky. Neither object had lights or made a sound, Raye said, and they soon split up: One headed east, the other toward the northeast.
As Raye scanned the horizon to see where they went, she turned and saw what Derral had just spotted floating above treetops almost directly above their home.
“There was this orb,” Raye exclaimed. A large object, glowing red and orange, silent, emitting what she says looked like sparks.
“It was beautiful,” she remembers. Derral and Raye watched the object float in the same spot for about a minute, move over until it was directly over their roof, pause, then slowly journey north.
The incident continued to bother her — and pique her imagination.
During the next two weeks, Raye, 50, set out to find others who may have seen the strange objects. She asked county and state law enforcement agencies if anyone called dispatch around the same time as the sighting.
No calls.
She posted a sign on a Lacomb bulletin board outside the town store, asking anyone who witnessed something to call her.
Still no calls.
“I know someone has to have seen it,” she said.
She headed to the Internet for research. After she filed a report with the National UFO Reporting Center, a representative from that organization encouraged Raye to contact media.
“I used to joke about aliens,” she said. “But there is something out there.”
Democrat Herald Reader Comments :
The comments below are from readers of democratherald.com and in no way represent the views of the Democrat Herald or Lee Enterprises.
DIH wrote on Oct 18, 2007 2:06 PM:
" OK, I just have to ask: what kind of cigarettes were they smoking? (just kidding!) "
What? wrote on Oct 18, 2007 3:33 PM:
" And obviously she followed up on the suggestion to contact the media. D-H, is this really newsworthy? "
Glen wrote on Oct 18, 2007 3:40 PM:
" Probably a Air Force weather balloon. Hey it worked at Roswell.{ for 5 mins} "
To Raye wrote on Oct 18, 2007 5:36 PM:
" Raye, my husband and I have seen something similar on Goltra Road between Albany and Lebanon. On another occassion there was another person with me who witnessed the same things.The sparkles that drop from these objects are puzzling. I don't know what it is, but it may be reassuring to you that others have seen these orbs as well. "
I never saw anything wrote on Oct 18, 2007 5:57 PM:
" Interesting story! I was just north on the other side of the hill from Moran Lane, sitting around a camp fire at that same time with three other people. Sorry we never saw or heard anything that night. Plus, I do not drink alcohol. If I had seen what they described,I would have been indoors fast!!! "
Shelley wrote on Oct 19, 2007 9:30 AM:
" I saw something similar also, but it was two summers ago, I was sitting out in my back yard in south Albany on a hot night, and from a distance I saw a large red and orange glowing orb,it slowly moved my direction. When it moved directly over my house,it paused and I saw sparks moving around it's surface- my first impression was the object was on fire, it was silent and traveled straight south. I had my son come outside to look at it and he said he and his best friend had seen it also, the night before on the same path. I had often wondered why, in the movies the person just stands there and watches things like this instead of running-- now I know. You can't believe what you are seeing. You are not alone Raye, thanks for having the courage to speak out. "
Glen wrote on Oct 19, 2007 9:36 AM:
" Its like the chem-trails I use to see [ sometimes }while fishing at Foster. The blue sky turns into chem-trail heaven. "
texas teacher wrote on Oct 19, 2007 11:18 AM:
" it is coming to my attention that anything is possible, however, this is truly a creepy experience to read about. I will keep my eyes open! "
ChadT wrote on Oct 19, 2007 11:20 AM:
" Come on Democrat Herald.. front page news? You could not find a better story than this? Do a story on a local teacher going out of their way to influence our kids.. or a local war hero.. or why the most unemployed county in the state fights big employers that might be coming here.. jeez "
Looking Up wrote on Oct 19, 2007 2:50 PM:
" Get off the paper's case. This is an interesting story - in other words, "news". The story ideas suggested by ChadT are not "news", but public relations. Glad you published it DH. "
DM Duncan wrote on Oct 19, 2007 3:01 PM:
" The place to go for this kind of news is www.keyhoereport.com/ "
DERR wrote on Oct 19, 2007 6:11 PM:
" newspapers and media have had a free hand to ridicule the people interested in UFOs instead of actually facing down the cover up agencies and their illegal spooks, who are traitors to the American People and acting outside the boundaries of Law, and getting paid with American taxpayers money for their paycheck each week. The day of final judgments will come. No one will hide from the Truth forever. Feel free to google my name with the phrase search: steve tobias ufo or new jersey ufo. my comments are there in various ways and also as DERRLL5. Enjoy the ignorance of not knowing the Truth for as long as you like. many ufo groups have govt. informers and intelligence agents inside them. i have some short videos on youtube also use search word "nasa ufos" and "ufo formation on radar off new jersey" and also "space worm" or "ufo worm" ... the jokers are the real joke. -DERR "
CindyPDX wrote on Oct 19, 2007 7:27 PM:
" We saw a strange intense brilliant red / orange orb (sphere) that hovered over our area (in Portland Oregon of all places!) for well over 25 minutes.. but this was back in 1992. But we remember it as though it happened yesterday. The short video of it did not give this strange thing justice. It was the strangest thing we've ever seen. We've seen / filmed other strange things on occasion over the years since, but nothing like that one in 1992. "
CindyPDX wrote on Oct 19, 2007 8:14 PM:
" Raye, I also wanted to say I am glad you had the courage to come forth about your sighting. And don't be discouraged if others don't come forth about seeing what you saw. I watched and taped something strange on August 17th 2007 for 27 minutes! I waited ages to see if anyone else reported it to NUFORC but nothing! Some may have seen what you saw Raye, but are not sure where to report it, or won't report it in fear of ridicule. Just keep your eyes to the skies Raye! "
cailaNhawaii wrote on Oct 20, 2007 1:44 AM:
" great story.. plus nice newspaper..(After I read the article I looked at the rest of your newspaper.. very nice) We have had some strange objects hovering around here (Hawaii) too but always blamed it on our military.. Good description on the witness part. I hope someone else saw it too and can substantiate their story. It is pretty much a given that these strange objects in the sky do indeed exist. Aloha "
Baltimore wrote on Oct 20, 2007 3:02 AM:
" Many many people hae seen unexplained things. Does that mean the Satanic Shape Shifting Reptilians that rule our nation are hiding the Truth from us? Hmm. Go Ravens!!! "
CT wrote on Oct 20, 2007 5:02 AM:
" I think I could have an explanation. Back in the 60's, as a kid, we would get dry cleaner bags to make 'UFO's. The top of the bag would be sealed with tape, and the bottom would have a brace made of straws. The straws would be notched, and birthday candles placed in the notches. Finally, the candles would be lit, the bag would inflate, and the rise. After about 15 minutes (we'd follow the bags on our bikes) the candles would start dripping. "
Robert wrote on Oct 20, 2007 7:07 AM:
" Hey "Chad T", your priorities are completely reversed. It is people like you that are suppresing humanity from realizing how important events like this really are! The UFO and alien phenomena is THE most important and covered up thing on Earth. When we eventually do make public contact with the E.T.'s we will learn so much about ourselves and the way the universe works. Our government has known much about them and even has current contact with them for many years now, but they keep it secret for reasons of power, ultimately. It is sad, but true. Some day, it will be obvious to everyone and the government won't be able to hide it anymore. I hope this is soon. "
digiroad wrote on Oct 20, 2007 7:17 AM:
" The Laufer's now know what it is like to see something that isn't suppose to be. People laugh at you, ask you what you were drinking, etc. Well, the fact is, there are many things in this world of which we do not know. We shouldn't be so naive to think we know it all. There are many things yet undiscovered and many surprises ahead! I know, I've had similar experiences. "
Lucid Jane wrote on Oct 20, 2007 8:07 AM:
" I must say I'm really disappointed in people who do not do their research. If you take the time to look into this you will see that there is plenty of evidence to suggest that something is going on in our sky's. I'm not talking about cloudy ufo reports or blurry photographs. I'm talking about official NASA and Space Shuttle footage, and very credible people from all branches of the government, military, navy etc. coming forward admitting of what they have witnessed, or even have covered up! Several military officials on their death beds have revealed the truth. Why doesn't anyone think it is possible that we are not alone? You know what the odds are for winning the lottery, yet you purchase a ticket because you think there is a chance that you could win. Well if the Earth is the only planet in our Galaxy that supports intelligent life, and you use this formula…there are over 100 billion galaxy's in the "visible universe". That would mean 100 billion races of aliens out there. Remember that answer is based on one planet per Galaxy supporting life. Galaxy's contain hundreds of billions of suns each which most have planetary bodies orbiting them. Who's to say it's not 10% of planets per galaxy that supports life? Open your eyes and think about it! "
Rob wrote on Oct 20, 2007 8:12 AM:
" DIH, I know that any consumption of any intoxicants whatsoever would pretty much disqualify any sighting made. But if a person had a couple drinks, or was a little stoned, would that mean they were having hallucinations? I don't think so. More likely, if they were habitual users or addicts, the lack of said intoxicants would seem to be a bigger factor in the unreliability of their senses. And they were smoking cigarettes. Nicotine is a drug. Were they drinking coffee too? Hot chocolate? Drugs. Maybe everyone who experiences anything out of the ordinary is stoned on something and open for ridicule. At least that is what the government and their toadies would like the overall opinion of the majority to be. "
Hammo wrote on Oct 20, 2007 8:54 AM:
" You never know what might be going on. Many credible witnesses have seen these kinds of things. Food for thought in the two articles "Ten-year anniversary of 'The Phoenix Lights' UFO encounter approaches" (http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=18956) and "Disc-shaped UFO over Chicago’s O’Hare Airport triggers national, international news coverage" (http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=18655 "
Camille James Harman wrote on Oct 20, 2007 9:24 AM:
" Thank you to the paper for reporting this sighting. Sightings are important. The UFO/ET reality is THE BIGGEST STORY ever. Get with it, people. Bigger than politics, bigger than climate change. Bigger than religion. Get educated. Tune in. Be prepared for your own event that will prove it to you, personally. There are many great UFO conferences held annually. Check one out. Read. Learn. Decide. "
Walt Jennins PDX wrote on Oct 20, 2007 9:42 AM:
" I saw an intense red and orange UFO that hovered over my area in Portland Oregon for about 35 minutes in 1992 I sent my photos to a local news station but they never returned them or showed them. I still have my copies I will send to Coast to Coast! Walt Jennins Portland Oregon "
Diane wrote on Oct 20, 2007 9:53 AM:
" If you need to report a sighting you can go to the National UFO Reporting Center at http://www.nuforc.org/ or you can call them 206-722-3000. This center is run by Peter Davenport who's been heard many times on Coast to Coast with Art Bell and George Noory. To those who've made rude comments regarding this sighting all I can say is that it's easy to make fun of those who've had these experiences but that doesn't prove anything except your lack of an open mind. "
Frank "Red" Kent USAF Ret. wrote on Oct 20, 2007 10:02 AM:
" I also saw the 1992 glowing object for about 15 min. it was the strangest think I ever saw and I spent 20 years in the United States Air Force with all kinds of aircrafts "
Scott Nader Portland Oregon wrote on Oct 20, 2007 11:33 AM:
" I do remember the 1992 bright lights in Portland back in 1992 I was a Kid then riding my bike when my friends and I watched this odd thing for 30 min.'s It sat their just hovering with a bright redish orange glow, I don't remember any sound it made. "
Rich-skydiver50 wrote on Oct 20, 2007 12:42 PM:
" Sooner or later the truth will come out we are not alone, never have been, but those in power will never come clean. I promise you money is being make from this large amounts of it. Billions for defense and we can't secure our own skys... nor should we if we join the group outside our world nobody makes any money... just that simple. Rich-Santa Ana Ca "
Brian Evens Portland Oregon wrote on Oct 20, 2007 1:09 PM:
" I remember the event of 1992 it was a strange amber ball of light I have not seen anything like that before or after. Brian Evens Portland Oregon "
Sean Patrick Doran wrote on Oct 20, 2007 2:07 PM:
" DERR has it completely correct. The entire planitary population . . . most men everywhere . . . live in self-serving denial of reality. Really it is to be expected . . . such profound life-changing experience forever transforms ones sense of true station or predicement, but for the 'experiencer' fascination remains forever . . . enterwoven with the fiber of our deepest primordial fear . . . 'fear of the unknown'. Kudos Derr. SPD "
Rob Mabe wrote on Oct 20, 2007 2:52 PM:
" Probably millions of people have seen strange lights in the sky all over the world spanning millenia, and the people of Oregon are no exception. Most will never know exactly what it was they saw, as a fleeting a glimpse of lights darting about in the night sky is usually to brief or amorphous for details to be discerned. Anyone who would like to see what REAL UFOs look like need only visit www.theyfly.com to view the most detailed daytime photos of UFOs ever taken. "
Johnny wrote on Oct 20, 2007 3:19 PM:
" From Sean Patrick; "The entire planitary population . . . most men everywhere . . . live in self-serving denial of reality" Ok, in order for something to be "reality" it needs to be "real" A lot of attention seeking people saying they saw something, does not equal proof. You need to prove that something is real, for it to be reality. Self-serving denial hey.......What about self-serving ignorance, you should look into fixing that. "
Emgee wrote on Oct 20, 2007 3:27 PM:
" I found your story fascinating, Raye! You deserve applause for having the courage to share it with the public. i also believe any legitimate UFO sitings deserve to be front page news. After all....we are living in the age of terrorism! The fact that we dont know what these objects are, makes your story very news worthy! Thanks. "
Philzy wrote on Oct 20, 2007 11:52 PM:
" Most UFO experts have never seen a UFO, so now YOU are the expert. Now when you hear some one’s Crazy story you’ll go “wait a minute, I’ve been there, I’ve done that.” Perplexing is it. Thanks’ DH for the story, you went out on the preverbal limb. "
W.M. wrote on Oct 21, 2007 12:32 AM:
" There were two objects seen headed south along the Atlantic coast in Florida too on 9-17-07 around 8:30 PM. I believe their story. "
Yes wrote on Oct 22, 2007 7:51 AM:
" Twice I have seen the orbs that Raye is describing. Once in Minden, Ontario and once just north of Toronto in the mid-90's. Both where silent and looked like mini-suns, very bright with a ring of bluish electricity around them like sparks. They moved with intelligence, stopping, speeding up, changing direction etc. Seeing something like that really is life changing. "
Leo Sanderson San Diego wrote on Oct 24, 2007 1:52 PM:
" Even if 99% of the stories can be shot down what about the 1% left? I think their is something going on we don't know about yet. I my self have had many sightings over the years I could brush off most but not all. Thanks Leo Sanderson San Diego California 92121 "
fran wrote on Oct 25, 2007 7:58 AM:
" wouldn't it be intereessting to read the comments on "The world is round" if there were computers at that time. "
John in Ireland wrote on Oct 26, 2007 4:15 AM:
" I've seen those twice.Both times with other witnesses....explanation here :http://www.book-of-thoth.com/ftopict-3522.html Glowing orbs are probably the most common UFO sighting these days....google- orb ufos "
Somewhere in Massachusetts wrote on Nov 3, 2007 2:13 AM:
" I can relate to your sighting from a similar sighting I had had in 1993-94. In the skies at the border of RI and Ma, at approximately 9:30pm-10:00pm a witness and I watched together an orange ball {changed from reddish then to orange, to red again repeatedly} rise which seemed to be below tree level {you could see it through the bare trees, but I think it ws not behind them, I think it was the angle we were at} to above he ree level. Just as it reached slightly above tree level it changed to an intense white light, still the shape of an enormous orb. It rose for a little bit more then stopped. Its travel only took a few minutes. Its stationary position remained for 5 hours. We had seen white dots come from the object and travel across the sky {sometimes three at a time, other times just one at a time} We had also witnessed the "white dots" return, they were strobing really fast and would appear to reenter the enourmous white orb. After we tired of watching this amazing sight, right before we left, we had also witnessed a horizontal bluish haze emitting what seemed from the object, but not exactly attached to object. At this time, we drove back home. {We were not drinking at the time and the only thing I was smoking during these 5 hours was a few cigarettes at different times. The witness did not drink or smoke. Hope this story helps you. "
Bobby Anderson , Gresham Oregon wrote on Nov 5, 2007 12:58 PM:
" I remember several in Gresham during the summer of 1992 my friend in Beverton Oregon also had some in the year of 1992,seems to have been a busy year for UFO's that Year. Don't forget the sightings in McMinnville Oregon back in the 1950's "
Melissa Thompson wrote on Nov 16, 2007 12:06 PM:
" I serve tables in San Diego, and the other night there was a LARGE glowing orb, Looked like it was on fire. It was circling very slow. I have never seen anything like this. It was about 1/2 the size of the moon, and made one circle, in about 45 seconds, and then returned one more time. I know that I am not crazy because i pointed it out to all my guest and co workers, and NOBODY has ever seen such a thing. It moved pretty fast too. And no blinking lights. It was not a sattalight or plane, or helicopter, and way to big to be a planet. AT first i thought, gosh it must be an astoroid... but why would an astoroid circle...twice? "
Greg Harris wrote on Nov 16, 2007 8:45 PM:
" I saw a silver cylinder shape traveling next to a vapor trail left from a jet a few minutes before.The slient object left no vapor trail,no noise,and did not have any wings.It was traveling south very fast.Five minutes later another,or the same one was traveling next to another jet vapor trail.I live in Cottage Grove.The first was toward the direction of the coast range(west) but at the hieght of the jet traffic.The other was more toward the east.Both were larger then the jets,both traveled at a speed that could have over taken the jets that made the vapor trail.The sky was clear except for the jet traffic. "
SOURCE Democrat-Harald News Article
