Hello, fellow UM Fans!

Has anyone on this board ever given thought to putting together a convention of fans for "Unsolved Mysteries"? I've never organized such an event, but perhaps others who post here have some experience with these types of things. Would there be enough interest on the part of us UM diehards to actually have such a convention?

I have been brainstorming and here's some of my thoughts:

1. I think it would be fun to have the convention somewhere where one of the UM segments that remains unsolved took place. Part of the convention could be a bus trip to the site of the mystery, and perhaps arrangements could even be made with some of the family members or law enforcement officials involved to discuss the case with participants.

2. A banquet could be held one evening of the convention that featured a prominent person, such as an author, that had a UM connection. For example, Lisa Marie Kimmell's mother has written a book, or perhaps we could have a speech by Don Deveraux. I'm sure that others have many thoughts about who would make good speakers.

3. One of the things I would hope is that, by having a convention in the location where the unsolved case happened, is that new and renewed attention would be focused upon it, and perhaps new leads could be generated. It would be awesome if a cold case was even solved! So it wouldn't just be an opportunity for us to meet, interact and share our love of UM, but it could have a real positive upside.

4. In addition to the bus trip and banquet, perhaps some individual presentations could be made by some of the most knowledgeable UM fans -- perhaps Crystal Dawn could show some clips of old episodes and provide updates, Kane could do a lecture on a case or two and offer his insights and thoughts, etc., etc. Of course, if we could get persons who actually had involvement in the cases, either family or law enforcement, or have some of the Cogrove-Meurer folks speak, that would be great, too.

5. For the "big finale," we could have a "Grudge Match" panel featuring Bob Bean, Pat Snead, and Danny Wheeler! :lol: Just joking about that one...

Does this sound interesting or worthwhile to anybody besides me? And, if so, is there anyone here who could assist in organizing such an event? I would do whatever I could to help.

Thanks in advance for letting me know!

Well it's a good idea, but it would be really tough to pull off. I would imagine all of the regular posters on here have pretty hectic schedules, plus, for the most part, everyone lives in a different area of the country, so getting it together would be a hassle. It would be nice to meet everyone, though. Somebody awhile back mentioned a UM costume party which I'm sure would be neat too.

The grudge match is a good idea! Anything involving Bob Bean and Sammy Wheeler should be a riot!

Lets have it in Drtoms's backyard!!! Ill bring the potato salad!

Lets have it in Drtoms's backyard!!! Ill bring the potato salad!

Two things, Mistagee:

1. No episodes of UM have taken place in my backyard. If you would like to suggest an appropriate backyard -- say that of John and Linda Sohus -- feel free to do so! ;)

2. I'm sure your potato salad is wonderful, but after the Michael Swango case, I really, really, REALLY have to know someone very well before I'm willing to sample anything they've concocted! :lol:

2. I'm sure your potato salad is wonderful, but after the Michael Swango case, I really, really, REALLY have to know someone very well before I'm willing to sample anything they've concocted! :lol:

I hear this chick named Marie Hilley makes really good potato salad.

I hear this chick named Marie Hilley makes really good potato salad.
LOL

I hear this chick named Marie Hilley makes really good potato salad. :lol:

If I recall correctly, Marie Hilley is dead. But apparently the new Russian version of the old Soviet KGB took a recipe from her cookbook when they invited then-political candidate (now Ukrainian President) Viktor Yushchenko to dinner.

As far as I know, though, Elizabeth Ortiz is still alive. Perhaps she could hired to cater one of the meals, or at least provide the caterer with her own special recipe for a "power shake." :eek: It's been known to ward off all kinds of ailments, but it apparently lacks the power to drive away unknown men who threaten to take away Jonathan.

I'll go if crystaldawn goes.

That would be awsome!!!!!

We should have the BBQ in Monica Rizzo's backyard.... or did I go too far with that one? ;)

Michael Swango could also cater breakfast and serve his "special" donuts.

We should have the BBQ in Monica Rizzo's backyard.... or did I go too far with that one? ;)

:liplick:

Can we all take a midnight drive to see Resurrection Mary?

Can we all take a midnight drive to see Resurrection Mary?

Sorry, I don't do Chicago! :lol:

Hold it in Reno, they have an unsolved case out there. I think it's a good idea.

Hold it in Reno, they have an unsolved case out there.

Blame it on Reno

I'll go if crystaldawn goes.

Aw, thanks. ;)

I'll make some calls and try to get your hero Jule Caylor to be one of the guest speakers. His lecture can be "How To Appear 100% Guilty And Still Not Be Charged For Murder".....:lol:

Aw, thanks. ;)

I'll make some calls and try to get your hero Jule Caylor to be one of the guest speakers. His lecture can be "How To Appear 100% Guilty And Still Not Be Charged For Murder".....:lol:


Sounds pretty good. Just don't get Grandma Ida...if the convention isn't up to her standards you know she'll just be "a bitchin' and a moanin'".

Please spare us that one.

jeeps

Oh yeah, the Fruitcake Lady can be added to the caterer list. Not sure she's still alive, but maybe she passed along her prize winning recipes to some of her relatives.

I'll make some calls and try to get your hero Jule Caylor to be one of the guest speakers. His lecture can be "How To Appear 100% Guilty And Still Not Be Charged For Murder".....:lol:

Bonnie Wilder could do a lecture called "How to Rip Off a dept. store and pin it on a thinner, more attractive woman in the Midwest" :lol:

Maybe Gilbert Ortiz's wife can make us some milkshakes and give us acting lessons... ;)

Okay, this is in very bad taste, but if this convention was "clothing optional" Edward Harold Bell might show up

Okay, this is in very bad taste, but if this convention was "clothing optional" Edward Harold Bell might show up

Edward Harold Bell NUDE?!? Shudder!

Bonnie Wilder could do a lecture called "How to Rip Off a dept. store and pin it on a thinner, more attractive woman in the Midwest" :lol:

That'll get "An 80s Guy" all sexcited (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=188963) :lol:

To a certain extent you can gauge the amount of people who would show up at UM convention by the traffic on this board. This is the only UM board out there and although there are a fair number of people on here I agree with the previous poster about how it would be difficult to coordinate everyone's schedule to meet somewhere plus it could be too far for some people.

To give you an example of how another forum did this, look at the case of Laura Branigan. I'm sure you've heard of the 80s singer. Well she literally had 1000s of members posting on her site which is more than this UM board has and they had a convention for Branagin fans and ONLY 30 people showed up!!

If you had this UM convention you'd probably only have 20 to 50 people show up or even less. How many people do you all think would show up?

Why don't we just get on a conference call together? LOL!!

To give you an example of how another forum did this, look at the case of Laura Branigan.


Uhh... I'm an 80's freak, and it pains me to say this, but, "Who?"

Uhh... I'm an 80's freak, and it pains me to say this, but, "Who?"

Come on cricci you remember her. :) The chick with the long brown hair who sang "Gloria". Actually she died not too long ago quite unexpectedly.

She had another hit with "Self Control"

Some hilarious posts on this thread.

Maybe Gilbert Ortiz's wife can make us some milkshakes and give us acting lessons... ;)

Someone had to say it!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Come on cricci you remember her. :) The chick with the long brown hair who sang "Gloria". Actually she died not too long ago quite unexpectedly.


Ohhhhhh.... Glori, Gloriaaaaa.... :)

Now I'm with you. :lol:

Perhaps the Smithsonian will lend us the Dale so we can give it a test drive!:lol:

You just knew I was going to work in a mention of the segment that's in my avatar eventually.:lol:

Just imagine the chicks/hunks you could pick up with that thing! You could just roll down the windows and turn up the music a little bit and let the Dale take care of the rest! :lol:

I didn't know that the Dale was in the Smithsonian! The things you learn in a day...

Uhh... I'm an 80's freak, and it pains me to say this, but, "Who?"


There is no way you could be an 80s freak and not have heard of Laura Branagan.

Her hit "Gloria" was one of the most popular songs of the decade and she also had another hit in "Self-Control".

She even had the song "Power of Love" or one of the other Celine Dion hits which means the Dion must've stolen it from her or something since Branagan was around long before Dion.

And she did unexpectedly a couple years ago from a hemorrage at the young age of about 47. Her dad had a hemorrage and she had been getting headaches for the past couple of weeks but didn't see a doctor.

So, if anyone of you get persistent headaches you better see a doctor!

That'll get "An 80s Guy" all sexcited (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=188963) :lol:
LOL I finally feel like a member of the board.

LOL I finally feel like a member of the board.

Man, you were sounding so desperate to see a pic of Bonnie...in a mumu?!?!!? puke:
I dun wanna know why :D

Hasn't anyone heard of vacation time in order to get together?

Hasn't anyone heard of vacation time in order to get together?

you are assuming two things: 1) that all of us have vacation time, which may not be true. I just took my week off a couple months ago, and am not eligible for another one until August, assuming I don't change jobs until then. and 2) you are assuming that we don't have other things that we would use our vacation time for (family events, etc.)

In addition to there being a time element, there is also a money element. It would probably take mundo bucks in order to put something like this together, and perhaps not everyone has the money to fund this. I know I certainly don't have a lot of extra money to throw around. I'm not saying a UM convention wouldn't be neat, I'm pretty sure it would, I'm just saying that it will require vast resources that may not be readily available.

In addition to there being a time element, there is also a money element. It would probably take mundo bucks in order to put something like this together, and perhaps not everyone has the money to fund this. I know I certainly don't have a lot of extra money to throw around. I'm not saying a UM convention wouldn't be neat, I'm pretty sure it would, I'm just saying that it will require vast resources that may not be readily available.

Does anyone know how the Trekkies/Trekkers do it?

As I'm the one who got this entire thread started, perhaps I can redirect our attention from the admittedly hilarious comments this thread has evoked from my fellow UM fans and return it to its original purpose.

Maybe a better suggestion than a national convention would be for folks in a particular part of the country who like this idea to work together to put a smaller version on in their own neck of the woods. I live in Oklahoma, and several cases occurred here -- including one in my very own hometown, Kingfisher (the notorious Paul Stamper case). A man who was my pastor at the time (and who worked full-time for the Kingfisher County Sheriff's Office) was even featured in the segment!

Oklahoma has also given us the infamous case of Wendy Camp and the other two women who disappeared from the Chandler Wal-Mart, not to mention the disappearance of the Freeman and Bible girls, the murder of Roger Wheeler, the lady who got hit by lightning and was miraculously healed, and (I think) several others. Perhaps UM fans in the states surrounding Oklahoma (Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas) could send me a PM and express some interest. I live in Tulsa, so we could likely find very reasonable hotel accomodations here, and possibly even a low-cost or free place to meet, which would help keep costs down to a bare minimum. If we can put something together, we could publicize it on the board and anyone who wanted to participate would be welcome to do so. As I mentioned before, perhaps we could even generate some new leads on some of these still-unsolved cases.

I'm far from wealthy, but if someone else wants to put together a similar meeting in their neck of the woods, I would try my best to support it with my attendance. My Toyota gets good gas mileage, and I don't mind driving -- and EconoLodge provides clean, inexpensive, and safe accomodations.

For those of you who are UFO devotees, Lucius Farish puts on a conference every year in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and past conferences have featured some of the folks who have appeared on UM segments devoted to this topic:

http://www.ozarkufo.com/

The registration fee is only $45.00 (if paid in advance)!

hey this is the bluedemond, what do you think about George Reeves(the first super man)? i dont think he killed his-self i think he got into it with someone and in a heated argument was shot.:happyface i dont think Dahmer killed Adam Walsh! Im history,Im gone, Im OUTTA HERE!!!!:wave:

Does anyone know how the Trekkies/Trekkers do it?
what does evryone think about"the sam sheppard"case? i am not to sure, it sounds like he was drunk (or high) and then inthe mist of his wife being killed woke up and said "whats going on?" Im history,Im gone, Im OUTTA HERE!!!!!