Aliens / UFO

Here is a story from one of our members Chad Granoski, about his UFO/Alien encounter from 1997, dubbed the Phoenix Lights of the East Coast.​

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​I would like to recount an extraordinary event that I, along with hundreds of others, witnessed in May 1997 over Oneida Lake, New York. This sighting bore a remarkable resemblance to the well-known Phoenix Lights incident that occurred in Arizona just a few months prior. Notably, one of the formations we observed was identical to those reported in Phoenix.

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On the nights of May 28th and 29th, 1997, I observed mysterious lights in the sky that formed various patterns similar to the Phoenix Lights. The number of lights fluctuated between three and twelve, and they appeared in distinct formations. My family and I recorded over three hours of footage, which was later featured in a local news segment. This footage attracted the attention of researchers and was submitted to the production company behind Fox’s Greatest UFOs Ever Recorded, produced by Kiviat Studios. Additionally, the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) conducted an extensive investigation, and I have attached a copy of their report for reference. A link to the original news broadcast is has been provided above.

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The lights were so intense that they were visible as far away as Ogdensburg, New York—a location nearly three hours from Oneida Lake. The sheer brightness was astonishing. An excerpt from the original MUFON report highlights the investigators' reaction:

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"What they videotaped bears a striking resemblance to the ‘Phoenix formations’ (as seen online). When a copy of their tape was sent to veteran UFO investigators Bill Hamilton and Tom King in Phoenix, they were astounded by the quality and duration of the Granoski sightings. The signature formation—around seven lights in a row—closely matches the signature formation from Phoenix and has amazed all parties who have studied it, including former NASA scientist Richard Hoagland. Veteran investigator Tom King even suggested that the tape was so impressive, he brought it to the attention of Robert Kiviat Productions."

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Following the sighting, multiple residents, myself included, noticed a black, unmarked helicopter flying low over the area. This aircraft, equipped with a large disk-like device on its underside and featuring black-tinted windows, was seen by at least six individuals. As the helicopter flew over our homes, it caused unusual disturbances with electronics inside. Despite inquiries to local military and airbases, officials denied the presence of any such helicopters in the vicinity. The aircraft was estimated to be flying just 200 feet above the treetops.

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Shortly after the news reports and footage release, I experienced a deeply unsettling event in my home. One night, I awoke to find a tall man standing beside my bed. He appeared to be approximately 6’6” tall, wearing a striped black-and-white dress shirt, black pants, and a distinctive top hat. In a calm, almost hypnotic voice, he repeatedly said, "You know what I want." When I asked what he meant, he replied, "The tape." Throughout the encounter, I felt unusually tranquil, almost sedated, with no immediate sense of fear. However, when my dog stirred in the hallway, the man fled. I chased after him, but upon reaching the door, I suddenly emerged from the trance-like state and questioned whether the entire experience had been real.

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That summer, I fell mysteriously ill. Despite extensive testing, doctors were unable to diagnose my condition. I experienced jaundice, severe weakness, and sharp pains in my side. After a week of inconclusive tests, my doctor considered hospitalizing me for further evaluation. On the morning of my appointment, something truly bizarre occurred. While showering, I stepped out to find a perfectly clear, un-fogged half-face of what appeared to be a grey alien on the bathroom mirror. The rest of the mirror remained fogged. Startled, I ran from the bathroom and noticed that the windows were open, with the blinds violently slamming back and forth. Overcome with shock, I collapsed. Upon recovering and visiting the hospital, doctors informed me that my jaundice had mysteriously disappeared, and my blood levels had returned to normal. I was discharged with no further issues.

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Interestingly, following the UFO sightings, my father also experienced unusual sensations, including persistent loud humming noises in his ears and a peculiar vibration that would periodically overtake his body.

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I hope this account provides insight into the strange and unexplainable events I witnessed. Although unrelated to the 1997 incident, I have experienced recurring episodes throughout my life that I believe correlate with these events. As a child, I frequently woke to a blue glow emanating from my bedroom door, accompanied by two dark figures standing in the doorway. They would instruct me to get dressed, though I remember nothing more from these encounters. This pattern persisted for years. On one occasion, a roommate discovered me standing fully dressed in the living room in a trance-like state, unaware of how I got there.

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I believe these visitations ceased after I adopted my first dog. In UFO and alien visitation lore, it is commonly believed that "visitors" avoid dogs, as dogs are highly sensitive to their presence. After getting married, moving into our first home, and adopting a dog, one of our earliest nights in the house involved an unsettling experience. Our dog stood at the foot of our bed, his hair bristling as he growled menacingly toward the bedroom doorway. After checking the house, I found nothing unusual, and my dog remained unusually alert. He never reacted that way again. Since adopting a dog, I have not experienced another blue glow encounter that I am aware of, and I attribute this to the presence of my canine companion.

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Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

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