Strange Country Episode 244: Creepy Clowns

Kelly’s back!!! And just in time because in this episode of Strange Country, we send in the clowns—lots of em pouring out of that one tiny car. Cohosts Beth and Kelly dive into the Clown Panic of 2016 and recognize that Americans need some media literacy lessons stat.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Chan, Melissa. “Penn State Students Flood Streets to Hunt for Clowns.” TIME, 4 October 2016, https://time.com/4517709/penn-state-clown-hunt/. Accessed 10 October 2022.

“Clowning - Circus Clowns History and Facts.” History of Circus, 2022, http://www.historyofcircus.com/circus-facts/circus-clowns-history-and-facts/. Accessed 16 October 2022.

“Clown sightings prompt police calls in Green Bay, Wisconsin.” ABC7 Chicago, 5 August 2016, https://abc7chicago.com/green-bay-clown-freak-gags-the-wisconsin/1458590/. Accessed 16 October 2022.

Guarino, Ben. "Clown sightings have spread to North Carolina. Now police are concerned about creepy copycats." Washington Post, 7 Sept. 2016. Gale OneFile: News, link-gale-cay.orc.scoolaid.net/apps/doc/A462681051/STND?u=nysl_sc_ahs&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=dd605091. Accessed 16 Oct. 2022.

Guarino, Ben. "Police begin making arrests as false reports of clowns plague Southern towns." Washington Post, 20 Sept. 2016. Gale OneFile: News, link-gale-cay.orc.scoolaid.net/apps/doc/A464104094/STND?u=nysl_sc_ahs&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=7c0a5b24. Accessed 16 Oct. 2022.

Guarino, Ben. "South Carolina community warned about reported group of scary clowns trying to lure children into woods." Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2016. Gale OneFile: News, link-gale-cay.orc.scoolaid.net/apps/doc/A461968042/STND?u=nysl_sc_ahs&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=477a76a4. Accessed 16 Oct. 2022.

Holley, Peter. “This creepy 65-year-old clown will terrify your misbehaving kid for cash.” The Washington Post, 3 November 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/11/03/this-creepy-65-year-old-clown-will-terrify-your-misbehaving-kid-for-cash/. Accessed 10 October 2022.

JACOBO, JULIA. “Clown Lives Matter March Canceled Over Death Threats.” ABC News, 14 October 2016, https://abcnews.go.com/US/clown-lives-matter-march-canceled-death-threats/story?id=42805927. Accessed 16 October 2022.

Jay, Kitty. “The Untold Truth Of Ronald McDonald.” Mashed, 10 December 2020, https://www.mashed.com/124443/untold-truth-ronald-mcdonald/. Accessed 16 October 2022.

Mack, David. “People Are Being Warned About Scary Clowns Luring Kids Into The Woods.” BuzzFeed News, 29 August 2016, https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/clowns-in-the-woods. Accessed 16 October 2022.

Radford, Benjamin. Bad Clowns. University of New Mexico Press, 2016.

Romano, Aja. “The great clown panic of 2016 is a hoax. But the terrifying side of clowns is real.” Vox, 12 October 2016, https://www.vox.com/culture/2016/10/12/13122196/clown-panic-hoax-history. Accessed 10 October 2022.

Teague, Matthew. “Clown sightings: the day the craze began | Clowns.” The Guardian, 5 October 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/oct/05/clown-sightings-south-carolina-alabama. Accessed 16 October 2022.

Wang, Amy B. "Target halts clown-mask sales amid creepy-clown hysteria." Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2016. Gale OneFile: News, link-gale-cay.orc.scoolaid.net/apps/doc/A466826983/STND?u=nysl_sc_ahs&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=3099f93d. Accessed 16 Oct. 2022.

Strange Country Episode 243: Horror Movies Inspired by Real Life

Life imitates art, as they say, and in these cases life inspired some famous horror films. In today’s episode, Strange country co-host Beth and guest host Terry talk about the inspiration behind Scream, Poltergeist and When a Stranger Calls. Don’t worry Dash Hounds, Kelly will be back.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Baby Sitter’s Slayer Sought in Missouri. Fort Wayne News Sentinel, CITY ed., 20 Mar. 1950, p. 28. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A114175C2A3D10D58%40EANX-K12-177A6E683941EE13%402433361-177A5277AA7053C1%4027-177A5277AA7053C1%40. Accessed 3 Oct. 2022.

Baby Sitter Murdered At Colombia, MO. Belleville News Democrat, 20 Mar. 1950, p. 1. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A114CEEB0320B0130%40EANX-K12-14EFA9E7C88F291A%402433361-14EFA88A4F49B399%400-14EFA88A4F49B399%40. Accessed 3 Oct. 2022. 

Baby-Sitter Raped Slain in Missouri. San Antonio Express, 20 Mar. 1950, p. 1. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A10EEA20F1A545758%40EANX-K12-161F9CBDE441D531%402433361-161DABBEB9A34419%400-161DABBEB9A34419%40. Accessed 3 Oct. 2022.

Bottles Now Quiet But Furniture Falls. Greensboro Daily News , One Star ed., 25 Feb. 1958, p. 2. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A11EA68DA9EC1533C%40EANX-K12-149BCAE9291816D9%402436260-149A09E09A75560F%401-149A09E09A75560F%40. Accessed 7 Oct. 2022.

Bottles Quit Bouncing. Greensboro Record , Final ed., 15 Feb. 1958, p. 1. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A11EA68CD17067F8E%40EANX-K12-13F92952FAC52BDE%402436250-13F927A8655D6750%400-13F927A8655D6750%40. Accessed 7 Oct. 2022.

The Devil in Gainesville. (2021). 20/20 ABC. https://abc.com/shows/2020/episode-guide/2021-04/09-the-devil-in-gainesville 

Family Reports Bottle Popping is Continuing. Greensboro Record , Final ed., 17 Feb. 1958, p. 11. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A11EA68CD17067F8E%40EANX-K12-13F92953D7C43508%402436252-13F927C4DE0EF853%4010-13F927C4DE0EF853%40. Accessed 7 Oct. 2022.

Fight Libel Suit. Kansas City Times, Three Star ed., 22 Dec. 1950, p. 25. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A11FF2A92A519802A%40EANX-K12-157E6E1FA9D57B10%402433638-157E200C3788F9FC%4024-157E200C3788F9FC%40. Accessed 3 Oct. 2022.

Fowler, Bella. “Mysterious death of 80s childstar and the 'Hollywood curse' surrounding it.” NZ Herald, 22 November 2019, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/mysterious-death-of-80s-childstar-heather-orourke-and-the-hollywood-curse-surrounding-it/ZODOLPETJFGNEAF72EEOGKRDQQ/. Accessed 7 October 2022.

Hermanns Return Home Despite Bouncing Bottles. Evening News, 24 Feb. 1958, p. 9. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A11342729F00F3900%40EANX-K12-18168D1EAC91146C%402436259-181505F76591421E%408-181505F76591421E%40. Accessed 7 Oct. 2022.

Horror to Babysitter. Kansas City Times, Three Star ed., 20 Mar. 1950, p. 1. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A11FF2A92A519802A%40EANX-K12-15E82BC44A496B50%402433361-15E6872AF047C73B%400-15E6872AF047C73B%40. Accessed 3 Oct. 2022.

A Huge Slander Suit Kansas City Star, MAIN Two Star ed., 9 Aug. 1950, p. 2. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A1126152C152E4978%40EANX-K12-155B29119958819C%402433503-144E524F2CC99EF6%401-144E524F2CC99EF6%40. Accessed 3 Oct. 2022.

Kahn, Robert. “How Danny Rolling, the 'Gainesville Ripper,' Was Caught.” A&E, 29 June 2022, https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/danny-rolling-caught. Accessed 8 October 2022.

Konda, Kelly. “How a Real Life Serial Killer Inspired Kevin Williamson to Write the First Scream Movie.” We Minored in Film, 1 July 2015, https://weminoredinfilm.com/2015/07/01/how-a-real-life-serial-killer-inspired-kevin-williamson-to-write-the-first-scream-movie/. Accessed 8 October 2022.

Objects Shy Before Expert. Columbus Ledger, Two Star ed., 27 Feb. 1958, p. 8. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A1126154AC3F56D80%40EANX-K12-16B7B374CD0B0929%402436262-16B79C6138C53545%407-16B79C6138C53545%40. Accessed 7 Oct. 2022.

People All Across the Country Offer Man Explanation for His Wayward Bottles. Lexington Herald, 23 Feb. 1958, p. 25. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A114CE9E74A478FB0%40EANX-K12-1534EC750F47B1BA%402436258-1534EB88254731E9%4024-1534EB88254731E9%40. Accessed 7 Oct. 2022.

Weird Antics of Bottles Drive Family From Home. Augusta Chronicle, 22 Feb. 1958, p. 1. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A1252FEAF2D2D3A44%40EANX-K12-1281DB28E0AE1A2D%402436257-1281DB28E2525CCA%400-1281DB28E2525CCA%40. Accessed 7 Oct. 2022.

Why Do Mysterious Bottles Keep Blowing Their Tops? Charlotte Observer, Thursday ed., vol. 89, 13 Feb. 1958, p. 9. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A11260DC9BB798E30%40EANX-K12-15E2510A6995F2EF%402436248-15E33C1B4396F7CA%408-15E33C1B4396F7CA%40. Accessed 7 Oct. 2022.

Yes, It Is Hard to Believe. Kansas City Times, Three Star ed., 11 Feb. 1958, p. 1. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A11FF2A92A519802A%40EANX-K12-158DE84F8C17E5DF%402436246-158CA9C4AE344493%400-158CA9C4AE344493%40. Accessed 7 Oct. 2022.

Strange Country Episode 242: Axis Sally

Mildred Gillars was the American mouthpiece for Nazi Germany. Known by the GIs as Axis Sally, Gillars tried to derail the war effort by spewing garbage over the airwaves. Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly discuss Gillars rise to fame in Nazi Germany and how she’d likely have a cozy spot in some right-wing fringe network today.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Applebaum, Anne. “Why Do Republican Leaders Continue to Enable Trump?” The Atlantic, 15 August 2020, https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/07/trumps-collaborators/612250/. Accessed 5 October 2022.

"Axis Sally Hypnotized Say Lawyers." Dallas Morning News, Final Edition ed., 26 Jan. 1949, p. 2. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A0F99DDB671832188%40EANX-K12-1036AF37755313FB%402432943-1036AF378E3E0812%401. Accessed 29 Sept. 2022. 

Axis Sally Now Living Productive Life as a Teacher. Columbus Ledger, Three Star ed., 21 Feb. 1967, p. 53. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A1126154AC3F56D80%40EANX-K12-16B838199FFF8C79%402439543-16B836ACEA7D0840%4052-16B836ACEA7D0840%40. Accessed 29 Sept. 2022. 

Blundo, Joseph "Joe" (January 30, 2011), "Sally's axis of evil ended at convent in Columbus", Columbus Dispatch, archived from the original on January 21, 2013.

Gunitsky, Seva. “Analysis | These are the three reasons fascism spread in 1930s America — and might spread again today.” The Washington Post, 12 August 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/08/12/these-are-the-three-reasons-that-fascism-spread-in-1930s-america-and-might-spread-again-today/. Accessed 5 October 2022.

Lucas, Richard. Axis Sally: The American Voice of Nazi Germany. Casemate, 2010.

Podger, Pamela J. “Few ever charged or convicted of treason in U.S. history / Many Americans fought for other religious, political, cultural beliefs.” SFGATE, 9 December 2001, https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Few-ever-charged-or-convicted-of-treason-in-U-S-2843242.php. Accessed 5 October 2022.

Suk, Jeannie. “Did Donald Trump and His Supporters Commit Treason?” The New Yorker, 28 January 2021, https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/did-donald-trump-and-his-supporters-commit-treason. Accessed 5 October 2022.

Tarm, Michael. “Notable sedition, treason cases in American history.” AP News, 13 July 2021, https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-government-and-politics-capitol-siege-809273dd6e90d08a5109dd5a451a5c09. Accessed 5 October 2022.

Strange Country Episode 241: This One's for Da Birds

Dear Dash Hounds and Readers: Join us this week on a flight of fancy—not really—actually the opposite. Dead birds falling from the sky in Arkansas. Thousands. So what caused it? Can you figure it out faster than E.T. can phone home? This is all intentional word salad to keep you interested and intrigued and to make you give us your weekly listening love.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

City of Beebe: Home, https://www.beebeark.org/. Accessed 25 September 2022.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/dead-blackbirds-fall-sky-beebe-arkansas-years-eve/story?id=15269793.

“Home.” YouTube, 5 December 2018, https://abcbirds.org/blog/five-fantastic-bird-migration-facts/?gclid=CjwKCAjw-L-ZBhB4EiwA76YzOVS9GNuFoyMHq0u6846EdjI5C0Xr2niteQVvcE_HWtwTRuCIIXzELhoCvzMQAvD_BwE. Accessed 25 September 2022.

Jonsson, Patrik. “Bye-Bye Blackbird: USDA Acknowledges a Hand in One Mass Bird Death.” Christian Science Monitor, 2010, https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2011/0120/Bye-Bye-Blackbird-USDA-acknowledges-a-hand-in-one-mass-bird-death. Accessed 24 September 2022.

Robertson, Campbell. “For Arkansas Blackbirds the New Year Never Came.” New York Times [Beebe], Jan. 3, 2011 January 2011.

Windsor, Sophie, director. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRNqhi2ka9k.

“Wisconsin lab says it solved blackbird die-off.” Phys.org, 7 January 2011, https://phys.org/news/2011-01-wisconsin-lab-blackbird-die-off.html. Accessed 25 September 2022.

Strange Country Episode 240: Howard Hughes Hoax

n 1971, middling author Clifford Irving was able to convince a giant publisher that he landed the white whale—the autobiography of reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. This was a guaranteed best seller. Problem was, Irving had made the whole thing up. Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly discuss this literary con and how it all came crashing down.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Grimes, William. “Clifford Irving, Author of a Notorious Literary Hoax, Dies at 87 (Published 2017).” The New York Times, 20 December 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/20/obituaries/clifford-irving-author-of-a-notorious-literary-hoax-dies-at-87.html. Accessed 4 September 2022.

Irving, Clifford. “The Movie.” Clifford Irving, 2006, https://web.archive.org/web/20071224024956/http://www.cliffordirving.com/movie.php.

Linklater, Magnus, et al. Hoax: The Inside Story of the Howard Hughes - Clifford Irving Affair. Viking Press, 1972. Accessed 4 September 2022.

Loria, Kevin. “What Motivates Con Artists?” Business Insider, 12 February 2016, https://www.businessinsider.com/what-motivates-con-artists-2016-2. Accessed 9 September 2022.

Smith, Harrison. “Clifford Irving, whose 'autobiography' of Howard Hughes nearly fooled the nation, dies at 87.” The Washington Post, 21 December 2017, https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/clifford-irving-whose-autobiography-of-howard-hughes-nearly-fooled-the-nation-dies-at-87/2017/12/21/83c7f9ba-e662-11e7-833f-155031558ff4_story.html. Accessed 29 August 2022. 

Strange Country Episode 239: Taliesin Massacre

Frank Lloyd Wright is considered one of America’s most influential 20th century architects. While he built homes designed for family togetherness, he was blowing his own family apart. He and his mistress Mamah Borthwick squired away to Wisconsin where Wright built Taliesin. Newspapers referred to it as the Love Bungalow. Strange Country cohosts Beth and Kelly talk about the horrific tragedy that occurred there on Aug. 15, 1914 where seven people were brutally murdered.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Booth, Sarah. “Wright's Grave Site Moved.” The Washington Post, 9 April 1985, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1985/04/09/wrights-grave-site-moved/510f9f85-3224-415a-a990-1016de77bee8/. Accessed 23 August 2022.

Drennan, William R. Death in a Prairie House: Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Murders. University of Wisconsin Press, 2008.

Hendrickson, Paul. Plagued by Fire: The Dreams and Furies of Frank Lloyd Wright. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2019. Accessed 26 August 2022.

Klein, Christopher. “The Massacre at Frank Lloyd Wright's ‘Love Cottage.’” History.com, 29 January 2019, https://www.history.com/news/the-massacre-at-frank-lloyd-wrights-love-cottage. Accessed 21 August 2022.

“Taliesin Massacre (Frank Lloyd Wright).” Crime Museum, https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/famous-murders/taliesin-massacre-frank-lloyd-wright/. Accessed 21 August 2022.

Strange Country Episode 238: Monkey Colonies

Dear Dash Hounds: Beth and Kelly realized we don’t talk enough about animals. Sure there are many stories about strange ‘Mericans, but what about the monkeys in this country? Get ready for a wild episode full of surprise monkey noises, and facts about two monkey colonies that are right in our backyard. Join us this week for as much fun as a barrel of … thanks always for listening it is an act of love.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Bartelme, Tony, and Shamira McCray. “SCDNR makes millions from company leasing Monkey Island, prompting ethical concerns.” Post and Courier, 4 March 2022, https://www.postandcourier.com/uncovered/sc-agency-rakes-in-millions-from-pharma-company-it-regulates/article_60a80662-82e1-11ec-94d8-2791d3f53dcd.html. Accessed 22 August 2022.

Douthat, Strat. “The Mystery of 'Monkey Island.'” AP News, 26 October 1986, https://apnews.com/article/9bd81b54c3d30481a945c469078b2d60. Accessed 22 August 2022.

“Home.” YouTube, https://www.facebook.com/RepNancyMace/videos/rep-nancy-mace-highlights-discoveries-of-monkey-island/925075514807257/?_rdr. Accessed 22 August 2022.

Johnson, Steve. “Florida Silver River monkeys: Animals brought for tourism carry herpes.” USA Today, 24 February 2020, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/02/24/florida-silver-river-monkeys-animals-brought-tourism-carry-herpes/4857192002/. Accessed 22 August 2022.

Marshall, Carolyn. “Monkeys for Research.” New York Times, 6 April 2004, https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/06/science/monkeys-for-research-much-coveted-and-hard-to-come-by.html.

“Morgan Island, South Carolina.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_Island,_South_Carolina. Accessed 22 August 2022.

Morton, Caitlin. “Strange Facts About the U.S.” Conde Nast Traveler, 7 September 2017, https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/50-strange-but-true-facts-about-the-us. Accessed 22 August 2022.

Roth, Annie. “These wild monkeys thrive in Florida—and carry a deadly virus.” National Geographic, 9 November 2018, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/florida-rhesus-monkeys-herpes-running-wild-invasive-species. Accessed 22 August 2022.

Taub, David M. “The True Story of Monkey Island, Part 2 – Beaufort South Carolina.” The Island News, 28 February 2019, https://yourislandnews.com/the-true-story-of-monkey-island-part-2/. Accessed 22 August 2022.

Wolfe, Kerry. “Morgan Island – Morgan Island, South Carolina.” Atlas Obscura, 19 January 2012, https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/morgan-island. Accessed 22 August 2022.

Strange Country Episode 237: Lonely Hearts Killers

Raymond Fernandez took advantage of widows and spinsters who sent their bios into the Lonely Hearts Club in the 1940s. Martha Beck was one such lonely heart who fell for Raymond and took part in his schemes where the two murdered three people for their money. Strange Country cohosts Beth and Kelly discuss this murderous duo, and the ridiculous amount of coverage devoted to Beck’s body. Beck even asked herself: “Am I on trial for murder or for being fat?”

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

“2 ‘Lonely Hearts’ Pay Death Penalty.” The New York Times, 9 March 1951, https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1951/03/09/82101582.html?pageNumber=52. Accessed 17 August 2022.

Brown, Wenzel. Introduction to Murder: The Lonely Hearts Murder. New American Library, 1952. 

Buhk, Tobin T. The Lonely Hearts Killers: The Bloody Passions of Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2020.

Fiske, David. “Executions Ended ‘Lonely Hearts Killers’ Spree.” New York Almanack, 12 March 2020, https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2020/03/executions-ended-lonely-hearts-killers-spree/. Accessed 17 August 2022.

“The Lonely Hearts Killers - Top 10 Crime Duos - TIME.” Videos Index on TIME.com, http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1900368_1900369_1900362,00.html. Accessed 17 August 2022.

“Martha Beck Biography.” OurBiography, 22 September 2018, https://www.ourbiography.com/martha-beck/. Accessed 17 August 2022.

OConnor, Jessica. “The Lonely Hearts Killers And Their String Of Brutal Murders.” All That's Interesting, 17 July 2022, https://allthatsinteresting.com/lonely-hearts-killers. Accessed 17 August 2022.

Sedlak, Amanda. “12 Morbidly Fascinating Details About the Lonely Hearts Killers.” Ranker, https://www.ranker.com/list/lonely-hearts-killers-facts/amandasedlakhevener. Accessed 17 August 2022.

Strange Country Episode 236: Osh-Tisch

Welcome Readers to an episode surely to enlighten you or at least make you think: why didn’t I know who this person was? You may find the the story of Osh-Tisch, a Crow Bode, who was born as male and lived as female in the turn of the century, to be important for a number of reasons including; 1. Osh-Tisch lived as they wanted without discrimination until “you know who” showed up. 2. “You know who” refers to the white oppressive man who enters a lot of Strange Country episodes. 3. It is admittedly a brief bio from Beth and Kelly but we refer you to better research and better podcasts in true #bossgirl fashion. 4. Osh-Tisch is a worthy person to know and revere. They were brave, talented, honest, and we would have wanted to be their friend- otherwise the translation of their name “Finds Them and Kills Them” would freak us out a bit.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Queer as Fact: Podcast

History Corps:

 https://historycorps.lib.uiowa.edu/exhibits/show/indigenousstruggles1900/bote

KQED

https://www.kqed.org/arts/13845330/5-two-spirit-heroes-who-paved-the-way-for-todays-native-lgbtq-community

Seattle Pride: 

https://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=684226&article_id=3819245&view=articleBrowser&ver=html5

Smithsonian:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-indian/2020/06/17/pride-2020/

https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/plains-belonging-homelands/crow-nation

Strange Country Episode 235: Holiday Magic Cosmetics

William Penn Patrick founded Holiday Magic Cosmetics in 1964. The defunct company is mainly known by law students learning about pyramid schemes. Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly talk about this company and its bizarre management style which could involve eating turds.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

“ABC’s: the Ern Westmore Show 1953-1955.” Westmores of Hollywood, https://www.westmoresofhollywood.com/ern. Accessed 2 August 2022.

“A not so magical holiday with Holiday Magic Cosmetics.” The Makeup Museum, 25 February 2021, https://www.makeupmuseum.org/home/2021/02/holiday-magic-cosmetics.html. Accessed 2 August 2022.

Boudonck, Greg. “Holiday Magic MLM Company: A Review.” Online MLM Community, 1 March 2016, https://onlinemlmcommunity.com/holiday-magic-mlm-company-a-review/. Accessed 2 August 2022.

Broyard, Anatole. “Books of The Times.” The New York Times, 28 November 1972, https://www.nytimes.com/1972/11/28/archives/thrift-shops-of-the-psyche.html. Accessed 2 August 2022.

Charlotte News, 12 Sept. 1969, p. 18. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A1126167831380960%40EANX-K12-16F5944E490337BE%402440477-16F476A912287FE0%4017-16F476A912287FE0%40. Accessed 27 July 2022.

“Exploring THE PIT.” The Bedlam Files, 2022, https://thebedlamfiles.com/commentary/exploring-the-pit/. Accessed 2 August 2022.

"'Fraud of the decade': The incredible implosion of the Bay Area's biggest pyramid scheme." Governance, Risk & Compliance Monitor Worldwide (Amman, Jordan), sec. NEWS, 25 Jan. 2022. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/187BF551A1462870. Accessed 26 July 2022.

Freeman, Cameron. “Excerpt: The pit: a group encounter defiled, by Gene Church and Conrad DCarnes. (Out of Print).” Cameron Freeman, https://cameronfreeman.com/personal/confessions-cult-leader-lifestream-seminar-experience/group-encounter-defiled-gene-church-conrad-dcarnes-print/. Accessed 2 August 2022.

Langone, Michael D. “Cult Info Since 1979 - Business and the New Age Movement.” International Cultic Studies Association, https://www.icsahome.com/articles/business-and-the-new-age-movement-langone. Accessed 2 August 2022.

Miami Herald, AIR EXPRESS ed., 11 June 1973, p. 13. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A114CF48AE24B9638%40EANX-K12-15FA547FEE5C2D4B%402441845-15FA538542C6CCA4%4012-15FA538542C6CCA4%40. Accessed 27 July 2022.

Rossen, Jake. “Sell-Shocked: The Pyramid Schemer Who Convinced His Targets to Climb Into Coffins.” Mental Floss, 19 May 2022, https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/holiday-magic-pyramid-scheme. Accessed 2 August 2022.

San Jose Mercury News, 8 May 1969, p. 63. NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=image/v2%3A1126156B6E3010F0%40EANX-K12-18255DAB84142E73%402440350-1824A0FA44C3E55D%4062-1824A0FA44C3E55D%40. Accessed 27 July 2022.

“Welcome To The Pit: A Leadership Conference With Deadly Results.” Inside Mystery, https://www.insidemystery.com/welcome-to-the-pit-a-leadership-conference-with-deadly-results. Accessed 2 August 2022.

“Who Was William Penn Patrick? The Crazy Story Of Holiday Magic.” The Snapping Point, 9 February 2020, https://thesnappingpoint.com/william-penn-patrick-holiday-magic/. Accessed 2 August 2022.

Strange Country Episode 234: Twelve Tribes and Travel Tips

It’s summertime, Readers, and that means time to cautiously hit the road, head to the skies, climb aboard (that’s what she said). No really. Kelly said that—be sure to laugh during the intro to today’s episode. We do hope you are all catching some time to travel this summer, and we have a few tips to keep you worldly but stable. Mostly don’t join a cult. You may not even know it is happening. We doubt that though since listening to us keeps you sharp enough to spot a cult miles away–or does it? In today’s episode learn how Kelly innocently brings her family to yet another cult experience, this time at a Yellow Deli, a known front for the Twelve Tribes. Haven’t heard of TT? Well strap in…ew…and listen up! Thanks always Dash Hounds for your listening love!

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Strange Country Episode 233: Jeffrey MacDonald, Part 2

In the concluding episode on Jeffrey MacDonald, Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly delve into the theory that maybe MacDonald didn’t murder his wife and kids. Maybe he did, but Errol Morris outlines a case where it appears MacDonald was not given a fair shake at his criminal trial.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Anson, Robert Sam. “The Devil and Jeffrey MacDonald.” Vanity Fair, https://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/1998/07/macdonald199807. Accessed 13 July 2022.

Beyerstein, Lindsay, and James Harkin. “Wilderness of Errol.” Columbia Journalism Review, 8 January 2013, https://archives.cjr.org/critical_eye/wilderness_of_errol.php. Accessed 13 July 2022.

Frankie, C. M. “Did Jeffrey MacDonald Kill His Family or Was He the Victim of Manson Copycats?” A&E, 22 September 2020, https://www.aetv.com/real-crime/jeffrey-macdonald-murder-case. Accessed 20 July 2022.

Malcolm, Janet. The journalist and the murderer. Edited by Victoria Wilson, Knopf, 1990.

McGinniss, Joe. Fatal Vision. Putnam, 1983. 

Morris, Errol. A Wilderness of Error: The Trials of Jeffrey MacDonald. Penguin Press, 2012.

Taylor, Paul. “The Return of Jeffrey MacDonald.” The Washington Post, 16 January 1985, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1985/01/16/the-return-of-jeffrey-macdonald/7fe1287e-2bc1-4f2d-bc5c-f41a84f30a2d/. Accessed 13 July 2022.

Wagner, David, and Michael LaPointe. “Joe McGinniss Is Back to Defending Himself, This Time Against Errol Morris.” The Atlantic, 14 September 2012, https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/09/joe-mcginniss-back-defending-himself-time-against-errol-morris/323631/. Accessed 20 July 2022.

Woolverton, Paul. “Jeffery MacDonald, 'Fatal Vision' killer, drops request to be freed.” The Fayetteville Observer, 17 September 2021, https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/2021/09/17/nc-fatal-vision-killer-jeffery-macdonald-drops-request-freed/8379040002/. Accessed 20 July 2022.

Strange Country Episode 232: Jeffrey MacDonald, Part 1

Jeffrey MacDonald was convicted in 1979 of killing his pregnant wife Colette and two young daughters Kimberly and Kristen. These murders have been the subject of documentaries, books, tv series, and most importantly, Strange Country Podcast. In today’s topic, cohosts Beth and Kelly’s discuss the book that set the narrative, Joe McGinness’s Fatal Vision.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Anson, Robert Sam. “The Devil and Jeffrey MacDonald.” Vanity Fair, https://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/1998/07/macdonald199807. Accessed 13 July 2022.

Beyerstein, Lindsay, and James Harkin. “Wilderness of Errol.” Columbia Journalism Review, 8 January 2013, https://archives.cjr.org/critical_eye/wilderness_of_errol.php. Accessed 13 July 2022.

Malcolm, Janet. The journalist and the murderer. Edited by Victoria Wilson, Knopf, 1990.

McGinniss, Joe. Fatal Vision. Putnam, 1983. 

Morris, Errol. A Wilderness of Error: The Trials of Jeffrey MacDonald. Penguin Press, 2012.

Taylor, Paul. “The Return of Jeffrey MacDonald.” The Washington Post, 16 January 1985, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1985/01/16/the-return-of-jeffrey-macdonald/7fe1287e-2bc1-4f2d-bc5c-f41a84f30a2d/. Accessed 13 July 2022.

Strange Country Episode 231: Natalie Wood

The mystery surrounding Natalie Wood’s death continues to captivate 40 years after the fact. The answer to the question, why was Natalie Wood in the Pacific Ocean on a late, cold drizzly night, has never been sufficiently answered. Theories abound though, and Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly discuss these theories while performing possibly the best Christopher Walken impression in history.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Jorge Xavier Camacho, opinion contributor. (2022, June 18). Expected reversal of Miranda requires states to step up on policing. The Hill. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/3517724-expected-reversal-of-miranda-requires-states-to-step-up-on-policing/ 

Mac, R., & Yaffe-bellany, D. (2022, June 15). Inside a corporate culture war stoked by a crypto C.E.O. The New York Times. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/15/technology/kraken-crypto-culture.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Business 

Margaritoff, M. (2022, April 26). Natalie Wood's death was ruled an accidental drowning - but that didn't explain the bruises. All That's Interesting. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://allthatsinteresting.com/natalie-wood-death 

McClure, K. (2022, May 28). Will we ever know what really happened to Natalie Wood? Salon. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.salon.com/2022/05/28/robert-wagner-officially-cleared-as-suspect-in-mysterious-of-natalie-wood/ 

Perroni, S. A. (2022). Brainstorm: An investigation of the mysterious death of film star Natalie Wood. Post Hill Press. 

Schulman, M. (2020, May 5). HBO's new Natalie Wood documentary doesn't have the answers. The New Yorker. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-new-natalie-wood-documentary-doesnt-have-the-answers 

T., N. T., & DiMona, J. (2014). Natalie Wood. In Coroner, book 1. essay, Open Road Media. 

Wagner, N. G. (2020). Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind. HBO Max. 

Walsh, S. (2021, November 4). Natalie Wood was raped by Kirk Douglas, her sister alleges in a new book. Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/11/natalie-wood-was-raped-by-kirk-douglas-her-sister-alleges-in-a-new-book 

Wood, L. (2021). Little sister: My investigation into the mysterious death of Natalie Wood. HarperCollins. 

Yahr, Emily. "Five takeaways from HBO's Natalie Wood film, which slams rumors that Robert Wagner was involved in her death." Washington Post, 6 May 2020. Gale OneFile: News, link-gale-cay.orc.scoolaid.net/apps/doc/A622822055/STND?u=nysl_sc_ahs&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=2114f29f. Accessed 14 June 2022.

Strange Country Episode 230: Biosphere 2

Could we actually replicate the biomes of Earth on other planets? In September 1991, eight intrepid explorers entered Biosphere 2 in the Arizona desert to spend two years seeing if humans could sustain life in the same way biosphere 1, the Earth, does. And it wasn’t so great, unless you’re heavily into mites, cockroaches, Steve Bannon and pot-bellied pigs. Strange Country cohosts Beth and Kelly discuss this failed experiment and why it might more sense to fix this planet than try to ruin other ones.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Bruck, C. (2017, May 1). How Hollywood remembers Steve Bannon. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/01/how-hollywood-remembers-steve-bannon

Cooper, M. (1991, April 2). Take this terrarium and shove it. Village Voice. http://www.science-bbs.com/184-skeptic/fde8be2039817870.htm

Dewdney, A. Kee. Yes, We Have No Neutrons: An Eye-opening Tour through the Twists and Turns of Bad Science. New York City, Wiley, 1997.

Reider, Rebecca. Dreaming the Biosphere: The Theater of All Possibilities, Albuquerque, U of  New Mexico  P, 2010

Report Urges Biosphere 2 to Spend More Time on Science to Succeed. (1992, July 26). New York Times. https://link-gale-cay.orc.scoolaid.net/apps/doc/A174904647/STND?u=nysl_sc_ahs&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=f39c5a28.

Rose, Steve. "Eight go mad in Arizona: How a lockdown experiment went horribly wrong." Guardian. The Guardian, www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jul/13/spaceship-earth-arizona-biosphere-2-lockdown. Accessed 13 June 2022.

Science beyond reproach. (2001, September 26). Arizona Daily Star [Tucson, AZ], B1. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A80229662/STND?u=nysl_sc_flls&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=276e0926

Spaceship Earth, directed by Matt Wolf, Neon, 2020.

Stern, E. (1996, May 30) Project had a ‘secret’ cult. Tucson Citizen. http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue2/1996/05/30/113-project-had-secret-cult/

Wylie, I. (2001, May 5). Play your part in the Big Brother house: Win four months at the Biosphere 2 project. Guardian [London, England], 8. https://link-gale-cay.orc.scoolaid.net/apps/doc/A74296697/AONE?u=nysl_sc_ahs&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=453bcf7a

Zimmer, Carl. "The Lost History of One of the World's Strangest Science Experiment." The New York Times, 29 Mar. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/03/29/sunday-review/biosphere-2-climate-change.html. Accessed 13 June 2022.

Strange Country Episode 229: Margaret Sanger

Where do you fall on the abortion debate? Some people like to believe that if you are pro choice, you must idolize Margaret Sanger. But wait. . . do you even know who that is? Listen today, dear Dash Hounds, as we hear who this outspoken woman was. A thumbs up or a thumbs down? Is Margaret worthy of her name being on the building or her name being taken down? Your call. We do our best to give you some info. As we seem to keep learning on Strange Country, people are complicated, the world is complex, and hang on, we are about to experience everything all over again. $10 please for your fortune. Much love and thanks always for listening, it is an act of love.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Strange Country Episode 228: Gordon Kahl

Nothing is certain but death and Strange Country’s guarantee of exquisitely-designed mousepads. Oh, and taxes. But some people really don’t like paying taxes and take their ire too far. Strange Country co-hosts Beth and Kelly discuss Gordon Kahl, an avid anti-government pro-Posse Comitatus fan who took his anger to the extreme when he killed two US Marshalls in 1983. Luckily, we’ve seemed to address domestic terrorism now…oh wait. And sorry about the little audio glitch midstream.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Cameron, L. (2019, May 28). During the 1980s farm crisis, Minnesota lost more than 10,000 farms. MinnPost. https://www.minnpost.com/mnopedia/2019/05/during-the-1980s-farm-crisis-minnesota-lost-more-than-10000-farms/

Corcoran, J. (1990). Bitter Harvest: Gordon Kahl and the Rise of the Posse Comitatus in the Heartland. Penguin Publishing Group. 

Dyer, J. (1997). Harvest of rage: Why Oklahoma City is only the beginning. Basic Books.

King W. (1990, Aug. 21). Books of the Times; A farmer’s fatal obsession with Jews and taxes. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1990/08/21/books/books-of-the-times-a-farmer-s-fatal-obsession-with-jews-and-taxes.html

Levitas, D. (2002). The terrorist next door: The Militia Movement and the radical right. St. Martin’s Press

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CreatedTuesday, May 24, 2022 6:47 PM

Last UpdatedTuesday, May 24, 2022 6:47 PM

Strange Country Episode 227: Recovered Memory Therapy

Our memories are fallible and malleable. In the 1980s and 1990s, recovered memory therapists convinced patients they had been sexually abused in some cases by satanic cults and repressed all memory of it. Strange Country cohosts Beth and Kelly discuss the trial of George Franklin who was convicted of murder based solely on the testimony of his daughter who “recovered” memories of witnessing him kill her childhood friend.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Carpentier, M. (2021, Oct. 8) Where Is Eileen Franklin, Whose Recovered Memories Convicted Her Father, Now? https://www.oxygen.com/true-crime-buzz/where-is-elaine-franklin-lipsker-from-showtime-docuseries-buried-now

Guendelman, Y. and Pines, A. (2021). Buried. Showtime. 

Ofshe, R. and Watters, E. (1994) Making Monsters: False Memories, Psychotherapy and Sexual Hysteria. Diane Pub. Co. 

Romanova, N. (2021, Oct. 21) Eileen Franklin-Lipsker Now: what is she doing today? Blurred Reality. https://blurred-reality.com/eileen-franklin-lipsker-now-today/#:~:text=All%20we%20know%20about%20her,as%20long%20as%20she%20could.

Strange Country Episode 226: Dismantling of Roe v. Wade

On this episode of Strange Country, Ofterry and Ofbryan talk about the U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion dismantling women’s reproductive freedoms. Forced birth advocates are rejoicing. The rest of us, not so much.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Campoamoar, D. (2022, March 18). New tennessee bill would allow rapists' families, friends to sue if victims have an abortion. Today. Retrieved May 3, 2022, from https://www.today.com/parents/pregnancy/Tennessee-bill-rapists-sue-abortion-rcna20581

Chamie, J. (2021, March 3). America's single-parent families. The Hill. https://thehill.com/opinion/finance/543941-americas-single-parent-families/

Columbus Daily Enquirer, 13 Jan. 1956, p. 13. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A1126A744DB722B38%40EANX-K12-16A327FFA6234DD0%402435486-16A30E62DDBE96DF%4012-16A30E62DDBE96DF%40. Accessed 3 May 2022.

Frank, G. (2015, December 22). The death of Jacqueline Smith. Slate. from https://slate.com/human-interest/2015/12/Jacqueline-smiths-1955-death-and-the-lessons-we-havent-yet-learned-from-it.html

Hartig, H. (2021, May 6). About six-in-ten americans say abortion should belegal in all or most cases. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/05/06/about-six-in-ten-americans-say-abortion-should-be-legal-in-all-or-most-cases/

Kitchener, C. (2022, May 2). The next frontier for the antiabortion movement: A nationwide ban. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/05/02/abortion-ban-roe-supreme-court-mississippi/

Levin, B. (2022, March 3). GOP senator Mike Braun claims he didn't mean to say states should be able to ban interracial marriage, despite saying it multiple times. Vanity Fair. Retrieved May 3, 2022, from https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2022/03/mike-braun-supreme-court-interracial-marriage

Plain Dealer, 22 May 1956, p. 5. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40EANX-K12-12AC90D16DF657D6%402435616-12AC5404A0306B0C%404-12AC5404A0306B0C%40. Accessed 3 May 2022.

Plain Dealer, 24 May 1956, p. 6. NewsBank: America's Historical Newspapers, infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=EANX-K12&docref=image/v2%3A122AFBBA107AC9E4%40EANX-K12-12AC90D42B600569%402435618-1278F359D4F878E9%405-1278F359D4F878E9%40. Accessed 3 May 2022.

Stracqualursi, V. (2021, November 16). Majority of Americans support Roe v. Wade being upheld, new poll shows. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/16/politics/americans-abortion-roe-v-wade-poll/ index.html

Supreme Court Live Updates: Calls For an Investigation and Possible Charges After Supreme Court Draft Leaked. (2022, May 3). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/05/03/us/roe-wade-abortion-supreme-court

Strange Country Episode 225: Mildred Fish Harnack

In a time when democracy ruled, women had all the freedoms, people went to college and news sources were plentiful and trustworthy Wisconsin native Mildred Fish Harnack and her husband, Arvid, chose to begin their newlywed lives in the fun city of Berlin. Have you heard of it? Beth may have mentioned she has been there. That was Berlin in the 1920’s. Things were about to change. Laws were passed to keep certain people down, the rich and poor gap was widening, Mildred got let go from her professorship, and two men, Hitler and Goebbels, were really making a name for themselves talking about the ills of democracy. And Mildred from Wisconsin saw the whole city and country unravel. But instead of hightailing it back to the midwest, Mildred and her sweetheart stayed in Berlin and headed the resistance efforts. Listen as Beth and Kelly discuss the similarities of Hitler’s efforts and those of the current opposition parties trying to undermine America today. Fun times on Strange Country.

Theme music: Big White Lie by A Cast of Thousands

Cite your sources:

Commonwealth Club of California. Mildred Harnack/American Grad Student/Berlin Resistance Leader. Sept. 17, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRGtZb7N6bg

Donner, Rebecca. All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days. Little Brown and Company, New York. 2021.

Wisconsin Women Making History. Mildred Fish-Harnack. https://womeninwisconsin.org/profile/mildred-fish-harnack/