UFO Allehenda - 2004 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-ALLEHANDA
Issue: 1
Volume: 2004
Publisher: Enköping-Sala UFO-förening
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-Allehanda, the member magazine for the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening, offers a blend of UFO-related news, space exploration updates, and personal reflections on military service and other life experiences.

Editorial and Society News

The editorial, written by Mats Nilsson, expresses excitement for the new year and hopes to advance the UFO cause. He recounts an incident on January 2nd involving a UFO sighting in Västerås, where an object rose vertically, leaving a condensation trail, followed by another that formed a V-shape. While Malin Wiklander, a new field investigator, suspects aircraft condensation, the observer believes otherwise, and the investigation is ongoing. The editorial also notes the successful Mars landing by NASA's Spirit Rover, which is featured on the cover. Nilsson also solicits ideas for future club activities and emphasizes the importance of member input to make the publication a vibrant mouthpiece for the organization.

The magazine also provides contact information for the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening, including its club location, postal address, and contact details for the Chairman, Anita Andersson, and Secretary, Mats Nilsson. The membership fee and postgiro account number are also listed.

Space Exploration: Mars Missions

Page 3 features an article titled "SPIRIT SKICKADE BILDER FRÅN MARS TILL JORDEN" (Spirit Sent Pictures from Mars to Earth). It details the successful landing of the NASA spacecraft Spirit Rover on Mars after a seven-month journey. Sven Grahn, technical director at Rymdbolaget, is quoted, expressing his impression of the images received, which show the Martian horizon and the rover itself. The article describes the landing sequence, including the use of airbags and the subsequent deployment of the rover. The Spirit Rover's mission is to investigate the Martian surface for minerals that might indicate past water presence. The article also mentions the European Mars lander Beagle 2, which had landed on Christmas Day but had not yet sent a signal, suggesting its smaller size might be a factor. The article notes that the successful Mars landing was a welcome event after a difficult year for the American space program, marked by the Columbia shuttle disaster.

Personal Memoirs: Military Service

Several pages are dedicated to personal memoirs of military service. Tommy Brandt recounts his conscription experience in Uddevalla in 1969, describing the initial difficulties with ill-fitting uniforms and the physical demands of marching. He details the process of being issued weapons, the challenges of marksmanship training, and the arduous nature of field exercises, including maneuvers, guard duty, and setting up camp. Brandt humorously describes the discomfort of wearing heavy gear in the rain and the lack of sleep. He also recounts experiences with obstacle courses and the use of bicycles for transport. A significant portion of his memoir details a challenging ski expedition, including a difficult "tractor interpretation" exercise and a long-distance ski trip that tested the soldiers' endurance. He also describes the use of makeshift plywood boats for a water-crossing exercise.

Another memoir by Arnold Idebring, titled "Fiskafänge" (Fishing Catch), recounts his childhood passion for fishing in 1934. He describes fishing in the Örsundaån river and details a notable event where he caught a large pike using a gäddsax (pike trap). He recounts the effort involved in retrieving the large fish and the local attention it garnered.

Other Content

An article by Margita Boström discusses the significance of the Mars landing for potentially sending the first Swede into space, referencing Christer Fuglesang.

The passing of author Charles Berlitz, known for his books on mysteries like "The Bermuda Triangle" and "The Roswell Incident," is noted. He died at the age of 90 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the exploration of space, particularly Mars, and the personal experiences of military service. There's a clear interest in UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the magazine's title and publisher. The personal memoirs suggest a nostalgic look back at past experiences, highlighting resilience and camaraderie. The editorial stance appears to be one of encouraging engagement with UFO research and fostering a sense of community among members of the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening.

Title: UFO-Aktuellt
Issue: 4
Volume: 2004
Date: 2004
Publisher: UFO-Sverige
Country: Sweden
Language: Swedish

This issue of UFO-Aktuellt features a variety of content, including personal reflections, organizational news, and discussions related to UFO phenomena.

Ivars funderingar

In his column 'Ivars funderingar,' Ivar expresses his thoughts on several local matters. He begins by apologizing for not visiting the UFO-stugan more often due to a music study circle that had 129 performances in 2003. He then addresses the ongoing discussion in Enköping about the destruction and demolition of cultural buildings, particularly the stadshotell, stating his belief that it should be preserved. He mentions a contact named Frost in Eskilstuna who claims he could easily fix the stadshotell, and provides Frost's phone number to Hasse Eson. Ivar questions the rationale behind creating slalom courses with moguls in the city, given the apparent lack of funds for snowplowing and sanding, and wonders about the number of people who may have died due to accidents on these roads while en route to the hospital. He also recalls playing in Sala at their new stadshotell, where locals were upset about the demolition of their old one, attributing such decisions to newcomers lacking cultural sensitivity. He touches upon the issue of healthcare where 'high-ups' take severance pay and parachutes. However, he shifts to positive events, recounting an observation of a red point in the sky on TV during the Christmas holidays. He watched it for about 5 minutes before it disappeared. He suspected it was a helicopter, as he had seen a similar light point about ten minutes earlier that flew west at a speed comparable to a helicopter. He also mentions enjoying the New Year's Eve fireworks from the 8th floor of Kungsgatan, describing it as a fantastic experience. The column notes that they have decided not to accept any bookings during May, June, July, and half of August, as they plan to be in Leversta. He mentions his mother, Ida, who is still active and was his hairdresser a week prior; she will turn 96 on March 22nd and sometimes asks about the readers. Ivar notes that he has been writing his column 'Ivars spalt' since 1980 and suggests it might be time for a change, leaving that decision to Jörgen & Co. He concludes by wishing readers a happy new year, with Taimi concurring.

Anecdotes and Short Stories

The issue includes a few short anecdotes. One tells of Berra, who came to work with a bump on his forehead, explaining that his wife had rearranged the furniture while he was tired and trying to relax on the sofa. Another anecdote describes a dance in Delsbo where attendees placed their bottles in a snowdrift outside. The local constable interrupted the dance, warning that a snowplow was approaching.

Gunnar Karlsson's Interest in UFO Phenomena

Gunnar Karlsson shares his personal journey and interest in UFO phenomena. He explains that he has always been interested in astronomy and space, growing up during the space race between the USA and the Soviet Union. His specific interest in UFOs began in the autumn of 1967 while he was studying to be an engineer in Lidköping. He shared an apartment with a friend from Alvesta. One late autumn evening, his friend saw a formation of seven light points moving in the sky from their room window. The friend rushed to get Gunnar, but the phenomenon had already disappeared. This event made a strong impression on his friend, who spoke about it for days. The friend wrote letters to the editor and received forms from a Göteborg-based organization (GICOF), as well as strange letters from private individuals. Eventually, his friend tired of the topic as it affected his studies. Karlsson's interest was rekindled in the summer of 1973 when he read a book by Karl Gösta Rehn, but he didn't find any friends who shared this interest. It wasn't until the autumn of 1996 that he met Mats Nilsson at work. Mats invited him to a meeting in Enköping to discuss merging the Sala and Enköping UFO associations, as interest in Sala had waned. The merger took place at the 1997 annual meeting in a small red cabin. Karlsson became increasingly interested and met many pleasant people who organized meetings and parties. In 1999, he joined UFO-Sverige, participating in new meetings and courses, and eventually joined the organization's board. He states that he has never personally seen a UFO but believes there are phenomena that cannot be explained by current methods, possibly involving other dimensions. He feels that answers to these questions will eventually be found. The article is accompanied by a photo of Gunnar Karlsson and Mats Nilsson during a coffee break at their workplace, taken by Kjell Berget.

Reader Feedback

Mats provides a brief note asking for reader contributions to 'UFO-Allehanda,' acknowledging that the publication has been inconsistent due to other commitments and a lack of material. He encourages readers to submit new material, suggesting it would bring fresh perspectives.

Event Announcements

Annual Meeting: Enköping-Sala Ufo-förening calls for its annual meeting on Wednesday, February 25, 2004, at 7:00 PM. Attendees are encouraged to come, and coffee will be served afterward. The organization is part of Riksorganisationen UFO-Sverige and works ideologically to present a serious picture of UFO phenomena, investigate reports, and counter uncritical thinking.

• Spring Activities:
• Spring Party: On April 23, 2004, at 6:30 PM, a spring party will be held, traditionally involving pizza. Attendees are welcome to bring food and drinks (potluck style). An auction will also take place, with proceeds going towards the organization's expenses.
• Flea Market: On May 15, 2004, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, a traditional flea market will be held in Ullunda, featuring various items like glass, porcelain, books, and household goods. It's suggested as a good place for young people setting up their homes.

Study Visits and Lectures: The organization plans to arrange lectures and study visits to interesting local sites. They encourage members to suggest topics and potential speakers. They acknowledge that their budget is limited and often rely on volunteer speakers or cover only travel expenses (like gasoline) for speakers from neighboring organizations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes a serious and investigative approach to UFO phenomena, encouraging critical thinking while remaining open to unexplained events. It highlights personal experiences and the activities of UFO organizations, fostering a sense of community among enthusiasts. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, seeking to understand rather than dismiss unusual observations.