THE OHIO VALLEY SKEPTICS NEWS ENCOURAGING CRITICAL THINKING IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE Vol. 1, No. 3 November, 1991 The Ohio Valley Skeptics is a new organization committed to encouraging critical thinking in all walks of life. OVS encourages the critical investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims from a responsible, scientific viewpoint and the distribution of the results of such investigations to the public. You are cordially invited to become a charter member of OVS. Membership information is on the back page. November Meeting: Nineteenth Century Paranormal Beliefs in Cincinnati The Ohio Valley Skeptics November meeting at the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History was highlighted by OVS President Joe Gastright's presentation on "The First New Age: Paranormal Beliefs in Cincinnati, 1840-1880." Thumbing handily through an enormous pile of index cards packed with the results of wide-ranging research, Joe described in colorful detail Cincinnatians' participation in pseudoscientific activities popular during the nineteenth century, including phrenology, mesmerizing, and sarcognomy (A pseudoscience based on the notion that body shape predicts character, just as phrenology is based on the idea that head shape predicts character.) He illustrated his lecture with diagrams and models describing exactly which parts of the head and body were thought to represent which personal characteristics--a well-developed left forearm in women was believed to indicate "combativeness," while a muscular right upper arm was taken to be a sure sign of "ambition." The confusion of science with psudoscience and the unsubstantiated claims of individualistic mysticism unrestrained by traditional religious authority or scientific thinking were as common in nineteenth century Cincinnati as they are today. The meeting was followed by an informal lunch and a great deal of lively conversation at a nearby restaurant. Special thanks go to Richard Davis and the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History, who generously made the museum available for our meeting. December Meeting: Richard McGrath on Near Death Experiences On Saturday, December 14, at 10:00 AM, the OVS will meet at the Museum of Natural History (Driving instructions elsewhere in this issue.). Major issues to be discussed include finding a permanent meeting place and deciding whether to change the name of the organization. If you know of a centrally located meeting room with no charge, parking, and a nearby inexpensive restaurant, please find out whether it is available for meetings on the third Saturday of the month and bring the information to the meeting or call Joe Gastright, president, and give the information to him. Places to check out include public libraries, schools, and community buildings. Several members have suggested that people who might otherwise join OVS will be put off by the word "skeptics" in the name of the organization, and that more people might join if the name were aimed more at critical thought or scientific thinking and less at debunking. Most skeptics' organizations growing out of CSICOP use "skeptics"or "skeptical" in their title, but a few use phrases like "critical thinking," "rational thought" or "scientific thinking." Please come and add your opinion to the discussion December 14. Our speaker on December 14 will be the Rev. Richard McGrath, a faculty member at Thomas More College, where he teaches a course on death and dying. He will speak about near death experiences, including what a near death episode means to the person to whom it occurs. Get Ready for the January Round Table on Satanism! One of the most popular topics making the talk show rounds today is satanism, an ill-defined phenomenon viewed as a major threat to society by the religious right and as an unsubstantiated claim by social scientists. Here are some sources which will help you inform yourself about this important issue. The Satanism Scare, edited by three sociologists, James T. Richardson, Joel Best, and David G. Bromley, is a good collection of articles scholarly and popular examining the development and dimensions of satanism as a social problem. It is available in paperback from Aldine de Bruyter, 200 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne New York 10532. The Skeptical Inquirer has published a series of four articles: "Police Pursuit of Satanic Crime," Spring, 1990; "The Spread of Satanic Cult Rumors," Spring, 1990; OPolice Pursuit of Satanic Crime II: The Satanic and Urban Legends," Summer, 1990; and "Satanic Cult 'Survivor' Stories," Spring 1991. "Scholars Debunk Supposed Cult Rise: Fear Called Satanism's Biggest Threat," a report on the recent meetings of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer, November 17, 1991, p. A-15. On September 14, 1991, in "Authorities Alerted to Signs of Satanism," the Enquirer reported on a seminar given by a Chicago police detective at Clermont College. The seminar was designed to help police and social workers identify crimes committed by "satanists." Your local public library can provide you with more information. Check out the entries under "satanism" in the Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature for recent articles. Calendar Change in regular meeting day: The day for the regular monthly meeting has been changed from the second Saturday of the month to the third Saturday of the month, beginning in January, 1992. December 14, Saturday, 10:00 AM. Monthly Meeting. Cincinnati Museum of Natural History, 1720 Gilbert Ave. Business meeting followed by the Rev. Richard McGrath on "Near Death Experiences." Informal lunch nearby afterwards for anyone who wants to come. January 18, Saturday, 10:00 AM. Monthly Meeting. Place to be announced. Round Table Discussion: "Satanism: What Is It? Why Is It So Feared?" Virginia Jergens, Moderator. February 15, Saturday, 10:00 AM. Monthly Meeting. Place and moderator to be announced. Round Table Discussion: "Reinventing the Wheel, or Does Each and Every Weird Claim Deserve Debunking?" March 21, Saturday, 10:00 AM. Monthly Meeting. Place to be announced. Bob Baker of the Kentucky Association of Science Teachers and Skeptics will report on "Ghost-Busting in Kentucky." Officers Elected to serve until an official first annual organizational meeting in April, 1992: President, Joseph Gastright, Treasurer, Richard Shepherd; Newsletter Editor, Virginia Jergens; Publicity Chair, Porter Henry; Media Resources Chair, Richard Boznian. Members of the Media Resources Committee are Chuck Rodway and Carl Bunde. Members of the By-Laws Committee are Dick Shepherd, Mary Pacinda, Chuck Rodway, and Holly Norton. Charter Members, November, 1991 Carl A. Bunde, 3738 Donegal, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236 Richard A. Bozian, 471 W. Galbraith Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45215 Richard C. Bozian, 471 W. Galbraith Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45215 Michael Burke, 1129 Winfield No. 3, Cincinnati, Ohio 45205 Richard A. Davis, Cincinnati Museum of Natural History, 1720 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Oran B. Dent, 666 Pine Needles Drive, Centerville, Ohio Kenneth DeWeese, 108 Fairview Avenue, Sardinia, Ohio 45171- 0082 John E. Fischer, 2437 Dorian Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215- 3705 Nicholas A. Forte, 1005 Central Avenue, Newport, Kentucky 41071-1423 Jerome Gastright, 836 Rogers Road, Villa Hills. Kentucky 41017 Joseph F. Gastright, 111 Wallace Avenue, Covington, Kentucky 41014 W. H. Giles, Box 126, Martinsville, Ohio 45146 Robert Hartmann, 2321 Deblin Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45239 Porter Henry, 2401 Ingleside Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206 Richard Hildebrand, 1459 Kelvin Ct., Cincinnati,Ohio 45240 Mark Hilse, 65670 Windmill Drive, Middletown, Ohio 45044 Robert Paul Howard, 171 Cleves Avenue, Cleves, Ohio 45002 John H. Hubbard PE, 6947 Nolen Circle, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 Carolyn R. Hunt, 3204 Coral Park Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211 Hermon R. Isaacs, 1250 Sweetwater Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio 45215 V. H. Jergens, 1032 Grandin Ridge Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208 John S. Kennedy, 4223 Williamson Pl., Cincinnati,Ohio 45223- 2111 William Kennedy Philip Koplow, 224 Sterrett Ave., Covington, Kentucky 41014 Richard H. McGrath, Thomas More College, Crestview Hills Kentucky 41017 Ken Matthews, 5616 Bayberry Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 Dan Nagle, 1070 Emery Drive, Ft. Wright,Kentucky 41011 Helen E. Norton, 620 Talowood Drive, Beavercreek, Ohio 45430 Mary Pacinda, P.O. Box 201, New Carlisle, Ohio 45344 Howard E. Rissover, M.D., 3305 Lamarque Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236 Charles P. Rodway, 4035 North Ascot Place, Mason, Ohio 45040 Claudia Sawyer, 529 Fairfield Avenue, Fairborn, Ohio 45324 Richard Shepherd, 1032 Grandin Ridge Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208 Please Help! We have a new member who has paid his dues, but for whom we have no address: William Kennedy. If you can supply an address for him, please send it to V. H. Jergens, Ed., 1032 Grandin Ridge Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208. Share Your Stuff! Bring your favorite skeptical clipping, cartoon, book, or whatever to the next meeting and share it with your fellow skeptics. The hit of the November meeting was Joe Gastright's collection of phrenologica, including full scale heads marked with the phrenologically correct locations of aspects of the personality. These handsome busts are available in the shop at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Address Changes & Corrections Please send address changes and corrections, comments, complaints, and contributions to the newsletter to V. H. Jergens, Ed., 1032 Grandin Ridge Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio How to Get to the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History The museum is at 1720 Gilbert Ave., east of I-71 and north of downtown Cincinnati in Eden Park. Enter the building through the door next to the loading dock off the staff parking lot adjacent to the museum. If you come from the north on I-71: Drive south on I-71. Take Exit No. 2, Gilbert Ave. and Reading Rd. The exit ramp forks. Take the right fork, marked Reading Rd. In a block or so you will come to two left turn signs, the first to Reading Rd. and the second to Elsinore. Turn left on Elsinore. Go about one block to Gilbert Ave. Turn left on Gilbert. On Gilbert you will see on your right the museum, a large building hung with red banners advertising the Planetarium. Go past the museum to the Planetarium parking lot, which is to the left off Gilbert. Park in the Planetarium lot, and cross the street to the museum. If you come from the south on I-71: Drive north on I-71, Take Exit No. 2, Reading Rd. and Florence Ave. The exit forks. Take the right-hand fork to Florence Ave. At the stoplight, turn right on Eden Park. Drive one block and turn right on Gilbert. After one long block on Gilbert, you will see the Planetarium parking lot on your right. Park there and cross the street to the museum, a large building hung with red banners advertising the Planetarium. See your by-line and words of wisdom right here in the newsletter! Send your book review, letter to the editor, article, cartoon or other contribution to the editor today. Be A Charter Member of Ohio Valley Skeptics $10.00 (Full-time students $5.00) makes you a charter member and assures you of receiving the OVS news and meeting notices. Complete this handy coupon and mail it to: V. H. Jergens 1032 Grandin Ridge Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208 Name________________________________________________________ _____________________________ Street address_____________________________________________________ __________________________ City_____________________________State___________Zip________ ________________________________ Phone: Work__________________ Home_______________________________________________________ Areas of interest:___________________________________________________ _________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ______________________________ Here's the name of a friend who might be interested: Name________________________________________________________ _____________________________ Street address_____________________________________________________ __________________________ City________________________________State___________Zip_____ ________________________________ Ohio Valley Skeptics is an independent, nonprofit, scientific and educational organization. We share the philosophy of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, an international organization which investigates paranormal events, sponsors workshops, and publishes Skeptical Inquirer, a journal of investigations of paranormal claims. OVS meets regularly on the second Saturday of each month and publishes The Ohio Valley Skeptics News. OVS plans to sponsor public lectures, assemble a panel of experts for news media to consult, and investigate local paranormal claims. Annual dues are $10.00 for regular members, $5.00 for full-time students, and include a subscription to The Ohio Valley Skeptics News. The Ohio Valley Skeptics News V. H. Jergens, Ed. 1032 Grandin Ridge Drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45208 FIRST CLASS MAIL