UFO Allehenda - 2003 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-ALLEHANDA
Issue: Nr. 2 2003
Publisher: Enköping-Sala UFO-förening
Type: Member magazine

This issue of UFO-ALLEHANDA, the member magazine for the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening, aims to provide members with current information. The magazine is published three times a year by the association's board. The cover features a festive, pixelated illustration of Santa Claus, suggesting a holiday theme, alongside the magazine's title and issue details.

Editorial and Association Information

The magazine opens with information about the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening, including its purpose, meeting location ('the little red cottage' at Ullundakorset), membership fee payment details (postgiro account 67 81 27-2), and contact information for the chairman, Anita Andersson, and secretary, Mats Nilsson. The editorial team notes that the respective authors are responsible for the content of their articles.

Personal Reflections and Current Events

The editorial section, likely written by a board member, reflects on the rapid passage of time as Christmas approaches. The author shares personal struggles, including being laid off after 30 years of employment and the upcoming end of their job in August 2004. This personal experience leads to reflections on societal issues such as layoffs, mismanagement, and the deteriorating state of the healthcare system, particularly the mental health services. The author has become involved with RSMH (Riksförbundet för Social och Mental Hälsa) and participates in a 'user council' at the county level to improve mental healthcare and act as a liaison between mentally unstable individuals and the established care system. They have also received training to work with individuals who are involuntarily committed due to crimes committed under the influence of illness.

The author then shifts focus back to the UFO-förening, noting that the past year has been relatively quiet but that improvements are being made. A new lawnmower was purchased for easier grounds maintenance. While UFO-Allehanda has been somewhat delayed, members are assured that important information will be distributed via separate bulletins if significant events occur. The upcoming event mentioned is the traditional JUL and GRÖTFEST (Christmas and porridge party) on December 12th at 18:00, to be held at the UFO-stugan in Ullunda. The editorial concludes with well wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all members and readers.

UFO Sighting: 'Närkontakt av första graden' (First-Degree Contact)

This article recounts a UFO experience reported in UFO-Norges magazine UFO nr. 3-4 2002. The incident occurred around February 20, 1984, at approximately 19:30 in Sparbu, Nord-Tröndelag, Norway. The observation lasted about 10 minutes and was classified by UFO-Norge as CE-1 (first-degree contact). The observer, a woman, was in her kitchen while her son was in his room. She noticed a very strong light, much brighter than car headlights, approaching her house from the direction of Inderöy. Initially, she thought it might be a local pilot. The light moved directly towards her, not towards Sparbu. She went out onto the terrace, where she heard no sound but felt a cold wind. The light was so close she thought it would collide with her house. As the speed of the light decreased, she saw that it was not a single light source but several. Partially hidden by the neighbor's roof, she observed two large, round, intensely white lights, possibly dimmed as the speed reduced. She went back onto the terrace and saw two rectangular windows on each side of the two searchlights, and two windows directly above them, suggesting a round craft. The object hovered silently about 30 meters away, and she could see shadows moving inside the windows. The craft then began to move slowly backward. She went to get her son, but by the time they returned, the object was distant, appearing as just a light. Suddenly, it accelerated with enormous speed and disappeared in the direction it came from within seconds.

The article is attributed to Jörgen Granlie.

UFO Sighting: 'Närkontakt av tredje graden ?' (Third-Degree Contact?)

This short, humorous piece describes a peculiar encounter on a public toilet. The narrator is asked by someone in the adjacent stall, 'Hello, how are you?' and engages in a brief, awkward conversation. The other person asks what the narrator is doing, to which the narrator replies they are 'out driving a bit.' The conversation takes a strange turn when the person in the next stall asks, 'Can I come over to you later?' The narrator, sensing something odd, declines, stating friends are visiting. The other person then nervously says, 'You, can I call you later. There's some idiot in the toilet stall next to me who answers everything I say to you.' The implication is that the narrator's responses were mistaken for the other person's intended conversation partner.

Grötfest Announcement

This section announces the annual Grötfest (porridge party) to be held on Friday, December 12th, at 18:00. The event will take place at the usual location, the UFO-stugan in Ullunda. The tradition includes serving rice porridge, mulled wine (glögg), coffee, and gingerbread cookies. There will also be appearances by 'Tomtar' (gnomes/elves) and Lucia with her attendants, and gift bags for children. Everyone is welcome.

'En liten betraktelse' (A Small Reflection)

This personal essay, likely written by Arnold and Irène, begins by referencing the upcoming Christmas and the 23rd Grötfest in Ullunda, estimating the large quantity of rice porridge prepared annually. The author then shares a childhood memory from around 1934. On a Saturday evening in August with a full moon, while cycling to a party in Torstuna, the author witnessed a piece of the moon appear to fall behind a nearby forest hill. They describe the object as being the size of a football field. The author reflects on how they didn't dwell on the event much at the time, attributing their late-night cycling to a lack of interest in dancing and a desire to be present when the party ended to find a girl to escort home.

The essay continues with another significant childhood memory from the 1930s, related to Saturday evenings when the village's gravel area had to be cleared of weeds and raked. The author describes the atmosphere as the village wound down for the evening, with church bells ringing for the 'helgmålsringning' (evening bells). This moment of profound silence and stillness, where even horses were stabled and farm noises ceased, left a lasting impression of peace and solemnity. The author contrasts this with the current hurried pace of life. The piece concludes with holiday wishes from Arnold and Irène.

'Tankar inför julen' (Thoughts Before Christmas)

This section contains two short, anecdotal pieces. The first, attributed to Ivar, recounts childhood Christmas traditions. This includes bringing in firewood, searching for a Christmas tree, and the extensive preparations made by his mother, such as baking, preparing ham, and cleaning the house. He describes the excitement of receiving Christmas magazines like Tomtenisse and Julbrevet. The ringing in of Christmas at 2 PM, dipping in the pot, and the evening meal of lutfisk, rice porridge, and ham sandwiches are recalled. The anticipation of Santa Claus is described, along with a humorous detail about his father donning a Santa costume and a sheepskin coat. The children waited expectantly, unaware of their father's disguise.

Ivar also mentions receiving a doll that could do somersaults, which he initially disliked because his brother Nisse received a toy motorcycle. He expresses envy. The tradition of staying home on Christmas Day, except for church, is noted. Later, the family attended the Christmas morning service ('julotta') and were treated to coffee and julmust by their uncle Gustav and aunt Eva. The evening featured the 'julbockar' (Yule goats) who sang and played, and were offered glögg and stronger drinks.

The second anecdote, presented as a short joke, involves a phone call where a father tells his son that he and the son's mother are separating after 45 years. The son is shocked and calls his sister, who immediately intervenes, telling her father that they will not separate and that she is coming over. The father then tells his wife that it's okay, as 'they' (presumably the son and his family) are coming for Christmas and will pay for their own travel. The joke ends with the implication that the intervention of the children will prevent the separation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around personal experiences, nostalgia, and community. There is a strong emphasis on the upcoming Christmas season, with reflections on childhood memories and traditions. UFO sightings are a central topic, as evidenced by the detailed account of the Norwegian encounter and the mention of the 'Närkontakt av tredje graden?' piece. The magazine also touches upon broader societal issues, such as unemployment and mental health, through the editorial reflections. The overall tone is personal, reflective, and community-oriented, with a clear focus on sharing experiences and fostering a sense of belonging among the members of the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening. The magazine actively promotes upcoming events like the Grötfest, encouraging member participation.