The NLPRS Team

Good day everyone.  I am Michael Lee Strandt, founder of the Northern Lights Paranormal Research Society.  Or, to put it simpler, you can call me soothsayer, of the NLPRS.

Why form this group?  It's simple, really.  My interests have lain down this path for many years now.  I've always had a fascination with the unknown, having grown up questioning everything and witnessing several unusual events.  I couldn't even tell you how old I was when I saw my first ghost, but I can tell you about how old I was when I saw my first shadow person (ten) and my first UFO (twelve).

I began to see the world differently, realizing that we were either not seeing the whole picture, or we weren't being told the truth.In high school, my thoughts took me to different realms, memories, dreams and reality blurred; I sought answers in different religious texts, but found nothing... the only thing that struck me as true were books dealing with the paranormal.

After graduation and having entered boot camp, I started to meet people (who I never met) who remembered or recognized me "from the past" or "from the other planes".  It was at this time frame that I learned I was going to be stationed in Japan (a Ouija Board spelled out HIROSHIMA), that I could instinctively do things without practice or know how, I became aware of my other self, and that the more I learned, the more questions I had.

(I do want to state that I am not entirely wrapped up in the occult...  oh no.  I also believe in an alien-human connection, conspiracy theories, hidden history, and the paranormal.)

It's going on 20 years since my stint with the Navy, and my thoughts and interests haven't died away; these weren't some fad, some display of misguided youth.  I've continued my reading and research, although I readily admit I haven't practiced as much as I used to (a wife and two kids have somewhat grounded me), and I still find that the more I learn, the more I question.

...

Yesterday while at work, something went off in my head.  I was going through my usual internet feeds at work when I asked myself how come I've never tried paranormal investigations?  It's only the most logical next step: questioning > experimenting > studying > application.  Why not take what I know, combined with what I can do, and see what there is to be seen?  Balance my approach with those who are like minded, but come at it through a more technical standpoint?

I did a quick search on paranormal groups within the area and found a few (which is rather surprising, considering the area).  At first I was disheartened, but then I realized that I have something these other groups don't: experience and professionalism.  My friends and I have been doing this exact same thing for years now without fully understanding that this is what we were doing.  But now?  Now it is as if a cloud has been lifted, that the stars have aligned; like a bolt of lightning, I knew.

And so, Northern Lights Paranormal Research Society was born.

(Just to make things clear, there is, or rather was, a Northern Lights Paranormal Society out of Minnesota, but according to their website, they disbanded a year ago.

I suppose there's one last thing to mention before I end this post: the name.  

I first wanted something with our location in the title, but that was already taken.  Furthermore, I didn't want something that sounded too cheesy or gimmicky.  Picking Northern Lights was a twofold idea: there is a casino about an hour's drive from my home called Northern Lights, and it was once believed that the northern lights carried the dead to the afterlife.  Just like that, I had our location, and an appropriate fitting name.  Plus, it sounds a lot better than Northeast Wisconsin's unexplained student's group.

Oh, and the Research part?  Don't be fooled.  We are always learning, always seeking more... even the so-called experts.

Introducing...  Carol!

Carol has been with NLPRS pretty much since inception, having become an official member on May 21, 2013.  She and I have known each other for years prior, and I count her as a good friend who shares in many interests.  Her experiences and knowledge of this subject should prove an asset to many investigations to come!

Always curious, Carol is a believer in the paranormal who has experienced several visitations in the past.  She has a background in healthcare and an avid gardener who can grow anything and everything anywhere and everywhere (it's true!).

And lastly, her organizational skills shall come in real handy... especially as a counter to my structured chaos approach!

{EDIT}
Knowing that some people just don't want all their information posted on the internet (and who can blame them, what with privacy issues and whatnot), I shall leave this post as it is. If Carol would like to add anything, by all means. Same goes with any other member that approves of having an intro posted!

Introducing...  Wendy!

After some exchanges of messages and emails during the past few weeks, it seems that NLPRS has grown yet again.  Even though I have not yet had the privilege of meeting her in person, I feel that her persistence and interest in the paranormal will prove beneficial to our group.  With that said, anything I could say about Wendy would be a disservice; it would be best if the introduction be in her own words.

Quote :

I am Wendy (Dreamweaver on the forum), I am married and have two grown kids and four grandchildren. I am an EMT. I enjoy some traveling, shopping, music, movies and being with my family/friends. I participate in a local monthly book club called "Between The Covers".

I am a skeptic but believe in the possibility of the paranormal. I know most experiences can be explained but I love the search. I have had various unexplainable experiences from an early age (never confirmed as paranormal). I tried talking to people about this and they didn't have any answers. When my daughter started asking me questions at an early age, I couldn't answer her and eventually she stopped asking.

I have been looking for a group to share similar experiences, validate or share my experiences with and search for answers together. I have exchanged conversations with a few different groups and have maintained friendships. I was interested in joining NLPRS because it was a newly formed local group and I felt we could develop knowledge together. I am interested in doing research, learning use of different equipment and investigating.

Welcome aboard, Wendy!

Introducing...  Steven!

Steven has been a part of the NLPRS team since its inception, working behind the scenes as a support technician; this required a lot of foot work, as he was frequently the errand boy, the mule, and assistant all wrapped into one.  Though he came into this group with little working knowledge of the paranormal, he has proven to be a quick learner, and is eager to do more.

The interesting thing about Steven is that he doesn't even turn 12 years old until late November.

Where most kids his age would run from the unknown, Steven has willingly stepped forward of his own free will, in an effort to discover.  Like most, he did believe that things would be dramatic, but has come to realize that investigations are a long process... but, as he experienced at McClintock Park, when something does happen, it makes all the waiting and "boring stuff" worth it.