UFO Allehenda - 2004 No 4

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO-ALLEHANDA
Issue: Nr. 4
Year: 2004
Publisher: Enköping-Sala UFO-förening
Type: Member magazine

Editorial and Association Information

This issue of UFO-Allehanda serves as the member magazine for the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening, aiming to provide current information to its members. The magazine is published three times a year by the association's board. The club's meeting place is described as 'the little red cabin' at the intersection of E-18 and road 55, also known as Ullundakorset. Membership fees are 100 SEK for individuals, 150 SEK for families, and 75 SEK for students. The association's postal address and contact details for the chairman, Anita Andersson, and secretary, Mats Nilsson, are provided, including an email address.

Editor's Letter

Mats, the secretary, writes about the approaching Christmas season and reflects on his personal life, noting that his work within UFO-Sweden is growing while he remains unemployed and works voluntarily in psychiatry. He mentions that the local Enköping-Sala UFO-förening is investigating a couple of UFO cases, one of which suggests a clearly shining planet. He looks forward to the upcoming Christmas and Lucia festivities on December 10th in Ullunda, which will include mulled wine, Lucia singing, and a popular auction to raise funds for heating the meeting hall. For the new year, the association hopes to attract more members, particularly younger individuals with new ideas, to combat the 'home blindness' that can affect long-standing members. He encourages members to share comments, suggestions, and constructive criticism.

Personal Anecdote: A Christmas Story

Arnold Idebring shares a personal Christmas story from 1939, comparing it to a tale by Selma Lagerlöf. He recounts visiting his brother-in-law and sister in Upplands Tuna, where they stayed at a large manor owned by a research traveler named Blomberg. The manor was old, with stained-glass windows and a shingle roof, and featured antique furnishings. The story details preparations for a Christmas Eve visit to the church, involving a sleigh procession with torches made from fence posts soaked in oil. Despite a cold evening (-20 degrees Celsius), they set off in three sleighs, dressed in furs found in the building's attic. The journey to the church was about three kilometers. After the service, they returned home to a warm reception with glögg and ham sandwiches. Idebring reflects that such a traditional Christmas celebration is rare today and invites readers to the association's Christmas porridge party.

Obituaries

This section reports on several deaths within the UFO community:

• Betty Hill: The renowned abductee, known for her encounter with a UFO in 1961 with her husband Barney, has died at the age of 85 from cancer. The article recounts the Hills' experience of being abducted and medically examined. It also notes that Betty Hill was a UFO enthusiast prior to the event and later authored a book criticizing the use of hypnosis in abduction cases.
• Rune Rydbrandt: The founder of UFO-Göteborg (1953) passed away at 83. He became interested in UFO phenomena at 15 and later, during his time in the air force (1939-1947), heard about military UFO observations. He gathered interested individuals in Gothenburg, leading to the formation of a group with around 45 members and the publication of the magazine UFO-Nytt. Rydbrandt died on September 14th.
• Dr. John Mack: A professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of the book 'Abduction', Dr. Mack died in a car accident in London on September 27th, hit by a drunk driver while crossing the street. He was known for his research into abduction cases.

Ivar's Column

Ivar shares a collection of humorous and slightly risqué anecdotes:

• A child explains a broken clock by stating the 'machinist' (a fly) had died inside.
• A child misunderstands the concept of puppies, asking for a 'puppy' sibling instead of a human one.
• A robber spares a woman named Sigrid because his mother shares the same name, only to discover her husband also goes by Sigrid.
• A golfer's ball lands in the woods, and a gnome offers to return it in exchange for spending time with the man's wife. Upon their return, the gnome asks the man's age, and upon hearing '37', the gnome exclaims, 'And believe in gnomes!'

Ivar also mentions meeting an old friend, Östlund, who is interested in playing bridge and had a UFO experience. They plan to attend a Wednesday evening meeting in Ullunda and help with a flea market. He also promotes a local theatre production.

Torparn and Taimi's Greetings

Torparn writes about his involvement with RSMH (The Swedish National Association for Mental Health), an organization similar to UFO-Sverige, which holds social events, themed days, and outings. He suggests that the Enköping-Sala UFO-förening could organize similar activities, such as visiting ancient rock carvings or stargazing.

Taimi also sends greetings.

Christmas Porridge Party Announcement

A traditional Christmas and porridge party is announced for Saturday, December 10th, featuring Lucia, Santa Claus, and a gift auction. Attendees are encouraged to bring a gift and a cheerful mood. The 'Åkersenska-Idebringska' porridge is highlighted as a classic not to be missed.

Astronomy News

• New Ring and Moon Around Saturn: British researchers, analyzing data from the Cassini space probe, have discovered a new ring around Saturn, likely composed of the same material as the moon Atlas. The probe's images also suggest the presence of at least one, possibly two, new objects orbiting the planet, bringing Saturn's total moon count to at least 34. Professor Carl Murray of Queen Mary College identified a barely visible object near the F-ring, which could be a moon about half a mile in diameter, though its status as a moon or a temporary phenomenon is uncertain.
• Two Earth-like Planets Discovered: American astronomers have identified two new planets roughly the size of Earth but with the mass of Neptune. These exoplanets are located in a nearby solar system, only 35 light-years away. Their previous undetected status is attributed to their small size and inconspicuous nature, similar to Earth.

Membership Renewal and UFO-Sverige

An announcement calls for membership renewals for 2005. The author emphasizes that UFO-Sverige is built upon its local groups and encourages members to use 'We in UFO-Sverige' instead of 'You in UFO-Sverige' when referring to the national organization. Members who subscribe to UFO-Aktuellt receive benefits such as discounted prices on books and materials. The UFO-Sverige website is being updated for easier online ordering. The membership fees for Enköping-Sala UFO-förening are reiterated.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes UFO awareness and research, while also fostering a sense of community among its members. It balances reporting on significant international UFO cases and astronomical discoveries with local club news, personal anecdotes, and social events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into unexplained phenomena, coupled with a desire to engage and inform its readership. There is a clear emphasis on the importance of local groups forming the backbone of the national UFO-Sverige organization. The inclusion of personal stories and humorous content suggests an effort to make the magazine accessible and engaging for a broad audience within the UFO community.