Photo by Doug Elmore

NEVER GIVE IN,
NEVER SURRENDER

I had been interested in UFOs ever since I was a little girl. I had been fascinated by science fiction movies that portrayed aliens, in particular the "friendly" kind, such as in "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (the original with Michael Rennie).

The story of my developing interest in the subject of UFOs and cosmology in general has been told in my memoir, Throughout All Time (2009), which portrays that special era in my life that was unusual and life changing.

Recently I considered ending publication of TSB. One reason involved the fact that I’m getting older, and lately I’ve had too many irons in the fire (which has always been the case with me, however). Dwindling renewals also have played a part as my subscribers have aged over three decades and many have departed this plane.

However, I have decided that I simply cannot quit. This is my life mission. The Beacon is not, by any means, well known or widespread. It is most likely my own fault that it lacks promotion. Yet I have enough faithful readers who look forward to it, and because of your encouragement and notes of gratitude, I decided that I will keep going. The Star Beacon will continue until it reaches the point where I either cannot financially support it any more, or my spirit moves on.

Another point that needs to be understood is how the internet has played a part in all this. Most people these days rely heavily on the internet and all of the wonderful information it provides. It has certainly changed life on Planet Earth since the mid-’80s. Why would people pay money and subscribe to something in print when you can find so much more on the internet that is free?

This has been the demise of many periodicals. When I began a start-up shopper in the San Luis Valley, for instance, the timing was bad. Newspapers at that time were starting to see competition with the internet. Their subscriber bases were shrinking as more people began turning to information on line and dropping their subs.

My shopper did not fail because of this. I believe that if I had never surrendered after just six months of publishing it, somehow it would have survived and flourished. Looking back on it now, it was a major test in my life.

The Cochetopa Weekly Shopper was not really a failure because it inspired me to write my latest novel, The Dream Chasers, coming out next month, which depicts the main character experiencing what I went through, and all the roadblocks and "disasters" that lead her to the point where she wants to throw in the towel. It's been a joy to write a suspenseful murder mystery from it, and hopefully it will be a fun read for others.

It appears right now that UFO activity and disclosure probability has increased. These are still very exciting times to be alive on Planet Earth. With that in mind, there’s no way I can give up and surrender this publication. It must continue to bring forth information to you, and to strive to find the answers we all seek.