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When They Appeared: Falcon Lake 1967: The inside story of a close encounter
What happened in the Whiteshell Forest near Falcon Lake on May 20, 1967? For the first time in 50 years, the many facets of this astonishing tale finally come together. Noted UFO researcher Chris Rutkowski opens his vault of documents and images, gathered over several decades of inquiry, and presents a comprehensive picture of what became the most investigated UFO case in Canadian History. Stan Michalak, son of the man at the centre of this story, offers an inside perspective of what was happening in the Michalak home immediately following his father's extraordinary encounter. Join him as he eavesdrops on the daily struggles of his family while they deal with his father's injuries and the endless stream of investigators and media. Released after years of planning, this once-in-a-lifetime book describes every aspect of what happened "when they appeared."
252 pages, Paperback
Published January 3, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 26, 2024
When I was a kid, I remember watching an episode of Unsolved Mysteries that covered this case. And recently, I was exploring potential excursions for our upcoming camping trip and came upon the ‘UFO RIDE’ at Falcon Beach Ranch. Reading about the excursion brought back memories of the Unsolved Mysteries Episode, and I was immediately excited. In preparation, I went on a book hunt for more information. That’s when I stumbled upon “When They Appeared: Falcon Lake 1967: The inside story of a close encounter” - a gripping account written by Stefan Michalak’s son and family friend.
The book was both thorough and engaging, keeping me hooked from start to finish. Right away, I admired the book’s authentic non-fiction approach, which seamlessly blended official documents with personal accounts. It was pieced together perfectly, creating a smooth organizational flow that allowed the reader to easily follow the events. I really appreciated that the book started with Stefan’s original, unedited story, which was transcribed from his native language and distributed as a pamphlet “My Encounter With the U.F.O.” in 1967.
The book goes beyond just examining the event and explores the far-reaching effects it had on the family. Stan, who was only nine years old at the time, gives us an inside view of how it a affected his dad, mom, siblings, and himself as a result of the scrutiny from various authorities and the media.
It highlights Stefan’s belief that his reporting was driven solely by his sense of civic responsibility. Injured by the scorching gas emitted by the UFO, he needed immediate medical attention and had to endure painful flare-ups, leading him to seek answers at the Mayo Clinic. Stefan wanted to ensure that others were well-informed about the potential dangers associated with encountering a craft like that, advising them to maintain a safe distance and avoid getting too close. Additionally, he believed that the voices he heard inside the UFO belonged to men rather than aliens.
Of course, I was especially thrilled to read about when Stephan was approached to do the Unsolved Mysteries episode. In the midst of some small talk during a filming break, the interviewer inquired whether this was the craziest thing he had ever experienced, and he shocked them by answering with a “no.” He recounted in time in the military in World War II, and concentration camps. The crew fell silent, hanging onto his every word. Even after he finished speaking, there was a palpable sense of respect for Michalak. His incredible experiences only added to his credibility and strength of character.
This particular UFO case stands out from others because of the abundance of evidence, leading to its classification as unknown and vindicating Stefan.
It is the first time I heard of Chris Rutkowski and what he writes appears to be right up my alley, and he is local, so I look forward to reading more from him. I’m on the hunt! And I can’t wait to book my UFO ride at Falcon Beach Ranch and see the infamous site!
The book was both thorough and engaging, keeping me hooked from start to finish. Right away, I admired the book’s authentic non-fiction approach, which seamlessly blended official documents with personal accounts. It was pieced together perfectly, creating a smooth organizational flow that allowed the reader to easily follow the events. I really appreciated that the book started with Stefan’s original, unedited story, which was transcribed from his native language and distributed as a pamphlet “My Encounter With the U.F.O.” in 1967.
The book goes beyond just examining the event and explores the far-reaching effects it had on the family. Stan, who was only nine years old at the time, gives us an inside view of how it a affected his dad, mom, siblings, and himself as a result of the scrutiny from various authorities and the media.
It highlights Stefan’s belief that his reporting was driven solely by his sense of civic responsibility. Injured by the scorching gas emitted by the UFO, he needed immediate medical attention and had to endure painful flare-ups, leading him to seek answers at the Mayo Clinic. Stefan wanted to ensure that others were well-informed about the potential dangers associated with encountering a craft like that, advising them to maintain a safe distance and avoid getting too close. Additionally, he believed that the voices he heard inside the UFO belonged to men rather than aliens.
Of course, I was especially thrilled to read about when Stephan was approached to do the Unsolved Mysteries episode. In the midst of some small talk during a filming break, the interviewer inquired whether this was the craziest thing he had ever experienced, and he shocked them by answering with a “no.” He recounted in time in the military in World War II, and concentration camps. The crew fell silent, hanging onto his every word. Even after he finished speaking, there was a palpable sense of respect for Michalak. His incredible experiences only added to his credibility and strength of character.
This particular UFO case stands out from others because of the abundance of evidence, leading to its classification as unknown and vindicating Stefan.
It is the first time I heard of Chris Rutkowski and what he writes appears to be right up my alley, and he is local, so I look forward to reading more from him. I’m on the hunt! And I can’t wait to book my UFO ride at Falcon Beach Ranch and see the infamous site!
December 30, 2022
This is not your usual UFO book as it deals mostly with the aftermath of the encounter. Stefan Michalack, the person who encountered the UFO, comes across as solid, honest, and trustworthy, if not a little naïve.
I always find it interesting that so many people have strong agendas when it comes to UFO reports that become public. The biases that official agencies and individuals bring to the investigation of a UFO case usually affect the outcome in a negative way, which is what happened here.
I do believe that Mr. Michalak was vindicated in that ultimately the UFO report was accepted as unknown. Something unexplainable happened. Also, others in the area saw strange craft in the skies around the time of his encounter. My feeling is that Mr. Michalak was telling the truth. But were they aliens? Mr. Michalak said he heard "men" talking from the inside of the craft. "There was positive human being talking in there." That's a puzzler.
This wasn't a bad read and I have a better idea of what happened in this UFO case.
I always find it interesting that so many people have strong agendas when it comes to UFO reports that become public. The biases that official agencies and individuals bring to the investigation of a UFO case usually affect the outcome in a negative way, which is what happened here.
I do believe that Mr. Michalak was vindicated in that ultimately the UFO report was accepted as unknown. Something unexplainable happened. Also, others in the area saw strange craft in the skies around the time of his encounter. My feeling is that Mr. Michalak was telling the truth. But were they aliens? Mr. Michalak said he heard "men" talking from the inside of the craft. "There was positive human being talking in there." That's a puzzler.
This wasn't a bad read and I have a better idea of what happened in this UFO case.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews