A Bash And A Birthday

Daniel...

The time has come to take the wraps off of a private event that took place on August 21-23 in the Oregon Coast Range. If you have not already heard about it, Beachfoot 2009 was a pet project of mine and the second year I have held it. Six months in the planning, I set out to gather together a number of my fellow friends and associates in what was to be an invitation only gathering in a secluded meadow situated adjacent to an experimental forest in the mountains near Lincoln City. My objective was simple..."provide a unique opportunity to network and socialize in a beautiful, relaxed and casual setting...focused more on networking and fellowship than putting on a 'show.' It was intentionally kept low key. A non-media, non-commercial and non-profit event.
Been there...done that.
In this day and age, to gather together a veritable "who's who" in bigfooting and keep it off the radar is not an easy task. To do so, I decided to limit it to only 50 people (roughly twice the size of Beachfoot 2008). Any larger and I risked letting the cat out of the bag. This put me in the difficult position of having to choose who to include...and unfortunately exclude. Everyone in attendance was sworn to secrecy as I did not wish to offend anybody.
In no particular order the guest list included: Robert Pyle, Joe Beelart, John Kirk III, Ron Morehead, Orey and Steve Iness (Molalla vocalizations), Bob Gimlin, Thomas Steenburg, Craig Woolheater, Autumn Williams, John Cordell (retired police detective), Peter Byrne, Diane Stocking, Steve Robertson (Audabon Society), Blake Eckard (Director), Martha Kraus, Bob and Patty Reinhold, Thom Yamarone, Bruce Harrington (who rode his motorcycle all the way from Boston), Cliff Barrackman, Oliver Kirk (Tribal police - Warm Springs Reservation), Chris Murphy, Sharon "Lee" Lomurno, Paul Graves, Cliff Olson, and many others.
Upon arrival, guests were given a commemorative t-shirt designed by myself (see attachment) and name tags on custom lanyards.
This year I decided to keep the speaking list to just three speakers...all of whom generously volunteered. First to speak was Thomas Steenburg who gave a fascinating report about his recent BF research in British Columbia. Next was John Cordell, who gave an excellent presentation on scene investigation, evidence collection, interviewing techniques and reporting. Finally Ron Morehead gave a great review of the recent revelations regarding the "Sierra Sound" recordings he has been working with in conjunction with Scott Nelson. An unexpected bonus came when Robert Pyle presented a reading from his book Across the Dark Divide...Where Bigfoot Walks.
As fate would have it, Peter Byrne's 84th birthday fell on Saturday, so I decided to throw a surprise party following the hosted BBQ. I had a 1/2 sheet cake made with a photo of Peter printed on it along with the words, "For Pete's Sake!"
Following the BBQ and party, the gathering posed for a group photograph to be given out later.
The days were punctuated with perfect weather, friendly discussion and fellowship while the nights were filled with singing around the bonfire accompanied by guitars and harmonicas.
Sunday morning the guests were treated to a continental breakfast prior to breaking camp. Afterward, they were given 8 x 10 framed color photographs which they immediately set about getting autographed by everybody.
All in all it went exactly as I had planned...50 prominent researchers gathered together in a private, casual setting, enjoying one another's company without pressure or expectations.
I have attached a few photos for you enjoyment Daniel. You have my permission to publish any portion of this as you wish.

Beast Regards,
Todd Neiss

Bigfoot Times Editor: I wish I had more time away from work to attend an event such as the aforementioned. Todd Neiss is a subscriber to the newsletter, Bigfoot Times.

Photographs courtesy of Todd Neiss. Tom Yamarone, John Kirk, seated, and Dr. Bob Pyle, entertain the troops. Peter Byrne's birthday cake. Bob Gimlin, Dr. Bob Pyle and Peter Byrne. Click on any image for a much larger view.

Bigfoot Times, September 2009

Is this the handprint of Bigfoot? Read more in the September 2009 Bigfoot Times?

Click on the picture to see a full size and compare your hand to it.

Newspaper Coverage On Texas Bigfoot Meeting

Hundreds Gather In Tyler To Discuss Belief In Bigfoot September 2009
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By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer

They came from across the country to share experiences and become informed on the latest scientific clues that may prove that their belief in the so-called Bigfoot is not so implausible. The need to validate the existence of Bigfoot or Sasquatch has been an ongoing effort since the 1950s and it was thriving Saturday in Tyler.

For the first time, the Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy's Bigfoot Conference met in Tyler, after outgrowing former venues. An estimated 500 people lingered around D.K. Caldwell Auditorium to hear sociologists, biologists and TBRC organizers speak about scientific research on the infamous hairy creature.


Daryl Colyer, vice chairman of TBRC, said he's turned his childhood interest in Bigfoot into a full-time hobby.

"I've heard a lot of legends and stories from family when I was growing up," he said. "When I got older it was all folklore but I decided to research it for myself before making an opinion about it."

Colyer said his encounter with a Bigfoot-type creature occurred in Liberty County just off the Trinity River. He said while he and his wife were walking a trail at dusk, they spotted a hairy, reddish brown figure with a musky smell crossing the trail.

"I was in shock, in total awe," he said. "From there, legend became a reality. I don't care if people don't believe me. That's what I saw."


An artist’s depiction of a life-size Bigfoot head watches over the lobby Saturday afternoon.
Colyer said while skepticism is OK, people also should keep an open mind.

"It is strange and it is bizarre. It's difficult for most people to believe. But we need to be aware of the facts. It can exist. We know that a gigantopithecus blacki once existed. So it's not that far of a stretch."

Researchers say a gigantopithecus blacki is an extinct genus of ape that lived hundreds of thousands of years ago in China and other parts of Asia.

"It was a species. We assume it's extinct, but this may be what people are seeing," Colyer said. "It's tough for people to wrap their minds around it."


FIGHTING STEREOTYPES
Attendees at the conference came from various backgrounds and ages. Baylor University sociologist Carson Mencken told the audience that while the typical casual Bigfoot believer has been someone from a low socioeconomic group, a minority and/or has a nonprofessional vocation, there are plenty of educated professionals who are interested in researching the creature. He said the Bigfoot believer as a backwoods eccentric is a product of media hype.

"The media likes interesting stories. They are more interested in finding strange people with tin foil on their heads. We want to dispel those stereotypes."

He added, "It's not just gullible people that didn't go to school. We have people of all walks of life doing research on Bigfoot."

Lance Hightower, of Tulsa, Okla., is an example of the not-so-typical Bigfoot enthusiast. He attended the conference for the first time with his 11-year-old son, Sterling.

"I fell into a weird category," he said. "I'm a minority, I'm self-employed, a professional and I'm a doctor."

Hightower said he's been drawn to Bigfoot lore since he was a young boy. He said he came to the conference to be among other "like-minded people" who are serious about the subject.

"Since I was (Sterling's) age I've always been fascinated with Bigfoot," he said. "It really wasn't until a brother of mine had an encounter that it began to resurface my interest."

Hightower said his brother and a friend had a close encounter with a large ape-like figure while relaxing at a riverbank. He said the creature chased them as they fled in their truck.

"He waited two years to tell me that story and he's told it to me five or six times since then and the story's never changed," Hightower said.

Hightower said his Christian faith does not keep him from believing Bigfoot exists.

"God made everything. Why can't he still make a creature like this that we've never seen?"

An avid outdoorsman, Hightower said he hopes to one day spot Bigfoot as he continues his own research.


A FORMER SKEPTIC
Bob Gimlin, the man who partnered with Roger Patterson to record the first sighting of Bigfoot, was at the conference. He signed autographs and took photos with admirers.

"I came down here because I feel people are interested in coming to these conferences and I want to enlighten thing about my experience," he said.

Patterson recorded the infamous video of a supposed Bigfoot on Oct. 20, 1967. Gimlin said rights were sold to different companies in 1972 and since then, the famous image of an ape-like creature in mid-stride has surfaced around the world. He said he has made no money from it. Gimlin recounted that day at a creek in northern California.

"I was pretty much a skeptic at the time," he said. "We were hoping to see one but didn't think we'd see one. Some people claim it was fake, that it was a man wearing a suit. It's been hashed out for 42 years."

Gimlin said he was frightened by the creature that's estimated to be about 7-4 and weighed between 500 and 800 pounds.

"My heart was jumping up and down inside my body," he said. "When you see something that's nearly 8 feet tall covered with hair and is not supposed to exist, it makes you pretty scared."

He added, "I know it was real. This is America, where you can have whatever thought you want and say what you think."


WHAT NEXT?
Coyler said scientists claim there are 10 million species yet to be discovered and 10,000 to 20,000 new species are discovered every year. He said five new primates have been classified in this decade. Bigfoot believers say if science proves the creature exists, it would be time for government-funded research that might lend a clue into the history of human beings.

"That's when the real fun begins," Colyer said. "Maybe anthropology books would have to be rewritten."

Most accounts of a Bigfoot sighting indicate that the creature is not violent and is often frightened by humans. Believers say they do not want to hurt or capture the animal.

"I think you appreciate it. You protect it," Hightower said.

Sean Whitley, of Dallas, produced a documentary called "Southern Fried Bigfoot." It was filmed in parts of East Texas and draws attention to suspected sightings in the South as some believe Bigfoot only appears in the northwest. His film debuted on the Documentary Channel in the spring.

"I keep and open mind. I don't believe or disbelieve," he said. "I leave it up to the audience to make their minds up."

Attendees participated in a survey and submitted results halfway through the conference. One result indicated that 70 percent of those participating thought that Bigfoot's existence would be confirmed within the next 10 years.

Bigfoot In Kentucky?

Caught red-handed? New video footage may show Bigfoot... stealing vegetables in Kentucky
By MAIL FOREIGN SERVICE
Last updated at 12:05 PM on 24th September 2009
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Closed circuit television footage is often used to nab petty crooks and small-time robbers.
But when a Kentucky couple set up a camera in their back garden to discover who was stealing their vegetables, they received a nasty shock.
The grainy footage showed what appeared to be a shadowy, Sasquatach-like creature at the bottom of their land - immediately sparking speculation that it could be the fabled creature known as 'Bigfoot'.

Bigfoot... or a garbage bag? A clip from the footage taken by a motion camera in a Kentucky garden appears to show a large Sasquatch-like creature
In a new twist, the footage suggests that - if it is Bigfoot - the creature is in fact a vegetarian.
Kenny and Margaret Mahoney set up a motion camera in their back garden in Fairdale, Kentucky after their home-grown vegetables began to mysteriously disappear earlier this month.
Convinced the cheeky culprit was a racoon, they were taken aback when they later examined the film - and spotted the creature roaming the bottom of their garden.
The Mahoneys sent off the pictures to a wildlife expert friend - and, despite protests from their brother-in-law that the 'creature' is in fact a garbage bag, have now found their home the latest centre for Bigfoot enthusiasts.
'We initially suspected a deer or a racoon of stealing our green beans,' said Margaret, 47.

The creature was spotted in the footage at the bottom of the Kentucky garden on September 1
'However when my husband produced the pictures of the shape at the bottom of our land we must admit to being surprised.
'We worried that it might be a bear, so we sent off the picture to a good friend who is an expert in that field.
'She said in her opinion it looked like fur, but she could not confirm it was a bear.'
Intrigued as to what the motion sensor-hunting camera may have picked up, Margaret sent the image to the local news station to see what they made of it.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the story snowballed.
'After we appeared on television we were swamped with phone calls and emails from crypto-zoologists and Bigfoot hunters wanting to talk,' Margaret said.

Kenny Mahoney, centre, brown shirt, puts his arm around his wife Margaret as they pose with a production team from America's The History Channel, which came to film them for an episode of Monster Quest
'They all think that we may have stumbled onto something important.'
A team from the History Channel have even come and gone, after filming a segment for their show, Monster Quest.
'Our greatest fear is that it is indeed a bear,' says Margaret.
'However, bears do not live in Kentucky... so we are still at a loss as to what this figure could be.'
The mythical Bigfoot is most often sighted in North America. No conclusive evidence showing the creature exists has ever been found.
Margaret's husband, Kenny has kept his sensible hat on during the fuss that his picture created.
'I don't believe that it is Bigfoot,' the 49-year-old said. His brother-in-law had suggested it was a garbage bag that had blown up in the wind, he added. But: 'Truth be told I have no idea what it is.'

Bigfoot Times, September 2009

The Bigfoot Times for September will be released on September 25th with special attention being paid to M.K. Davis and David Paulides. If you truly want to know something about the subject matter, and the players in the field who make it what it is, this is your newsletter. Get your membership going today! Don't delay.

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