Badger Bizarre

The Fox Valley has a rich history of paper barons and lumber kings who ushered in an era of opulence shining with steamboat excursions along the river, palatial mansions in plush neighborhoods and lavish hotels and movie houses.

But before this, native tribes reigned supreme in the region, leaving behind signs of their long -time dominance as well in our landscape and culture.

Could it be that those of these bygone eras never really left?

What is the barrier between the present and the past? The living and the dead? Is there really even a barrier at all?

Mickey and Scott discuss the legends and lore of the Haunted Fox Cities, ghost stores, and those whom, just because you cannot see, doesn't mean they aren't really there...

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Opening Trailer:

Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion

Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI

Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition" - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media

Attribution for Music:

Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/

Intro: https://pixabay.com/

Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha https://www.pond5.com/

Attribution for logo design:

Red Claw Scratch Photo

Sources:

Advance-Titan - Grand, Oshkosh

Appleton Post-Crescrent - Archives

Blowsnake, Jasper - Fox Wars

Eerie Badgerland - New Moon Cafe

Ebay

Fox Valley Archaeology - Hill of the Dead

Monroe County, WI Geneology Trails - The Winnebago Tribe

Neenah Daily News-Times - Archives

Oshkosh Beer Blog - Adler Brau

Oshkosh Northwestern - Archives

stonearchbrewpub.com

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In June of 1988, the abducton of a 13-year-old girl in Massachussettes sent shockwaves through several communities in Wisconsin.

The perpetrator of that crime, 30-year-old James Duquette Jr, was a native of Appleton, WI and had only just moved to Massachussettes months prior. A bombshell confession, not by Duquette himself, but by a friend, led police in Wisconsin to investigate Duquette for several cold cases, including the murders of 18-year-old Anne Preimesberger of Appleton and 14-year-old Tara Kassens of Cedarburg.

A stunning life of crime was uncovered, the scope of which authorities in several states continue to attempt to define still today.

Scott and Mickey discuss what is known of the crimes of Appleton's James Duquette, who is currently serving more than 6 life sentences, and the probability of his involvement in several Fox Cities murder cases yet unsolved.

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Opening Trailer:

Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion

Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI

Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition" - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media

Attribution for Music:

Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/

Intro: https://pixabay.com/

Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha https://www.pond5.com/

Attribution for logo design:

Red Claw Scratch Photo

Sources:

Appleton Post-Crescent - Archives

Green Bay Press Gazette - Archives

Oshkosh Northwestern - Archives

Ozaukee County News Graphic- Archives

The Republican - Archives

The Serial Killer Down the Block

Transcript-Telegram - Archives

Wisconsin State Journal - Archives

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Wisconsin was home to many towns throughout its history that, for various reasons, simply don't exist anymore.

Whether bypassed by the railroad, faded away after a loss of industry, or disbanded by its own residents, the towns have been wiped from the modern-day landscape, some with visible ruins as reminders, and others have literally nothing existing other than stories.

Those stories are largely unknown to most people today, but they are no less fascinating because of it. The unique history of Wisconsin is only further enriched when these stories are brought to light, including connections to America's Founding Fathers, European royalty, and even an eventual Presidential assassin.

Scott and Mickey look at the history of some of our state's more interesting ghost towns, and what, other than legacy, still remains today.

In the opening banter, we discuss a new documentary about the Peshtigo Fire, and a certain town that a local media outlet called the "Most Haunted in Wisconsin."

All here, on episode 53 of Badger Bizarre: "Ghost Towns of Wisconsin."

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Opening Trailer:

Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion

Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI

Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition" - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media

Attribution for Music:

Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/

Intro: https://pixabay.com/

Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha https://www.pond5.com/

Attribution for logo design:

Red Claw Scratch Photo

Sources:

Bale, Florence Gratiot: "When the Gratiots Came to Galena"

Bulman, LeeAnne "Back Roads of Wisconsin's Past"

New North (Rhinelander) - Archives

Parker, Marjorie: "Miners, Mothers, or Medicaine Workers?"

Rohe, Randall: "Ghosts of the Forest; Vanished Lumber Towns of WI"

Stark, William: "Ghost Towns of Wisconsin"

Vilas County News Review - Archives

State Historical Society of WI

Wisconsin Magazine of History - Archives

Wisconsin State Journal - Archives

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FrameMakers

From the early 1970's through 1990, Racine was the site of several brutal homicides, shocking the community and creating fear and panic in its residents.

Helen Sebastian, Eric Hansen, and John Michael Madden were all found murdered within only a few miles of each other, several years apart. Although the murders were similar, as all were dismembered, were they committed by the same offender? Or was something even more nefarious going on? Does the 1973 murder of Tina Davidson, in the same city, leave any clues to who may have committed such horrible crimes.

Scott and Mickey discuss this story, and the brutal legacy of questions left behind.

In the opening banter, 2 current true crime cases in WI are discussed, as well as a quasi-review of Ryan Murphy's 2nd installment of his "Monster" series on Netflix, on the Menendez Brothers.

All here on Episode 52 of Badger Bizarre: "The Racine Dismemberment Murders."

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Opening Trailer:

Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion

Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI

Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition" - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media

Attribution for Music:

Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/

Intro: https://pixabay.com/

Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha https://www.pond5.com/

Attribution for logo design:

Red Claw Scratch Photo

Sources:

Barrabbas, Frater - Dark Times in the Home Town

Kenosha News - Archives

Nichols, Mike - FB Video

Portage Daily Register - Archives

Racine Jurnal Times - Archives

Waukesha County Freeman - Archives

Websleuths - Helen Sebastian

Websleuths - Tina Davidson

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FrameMakers

On November 9th, 1975, the ore freighter, Edmund Fitzgerald, once known as the "Queen of the Great Lakes" left the Burlington Railroad Loading Dock No 1, in Superior, WI. Loaded with over 26,000 tons of iron ore, "Big Fitz" was to arrive at Zug Island, MI 46 hours later, as it had done many times over.

As recalled in Gordon Lighfoot's famous song, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," the ship never completed the journey, ending up on the bottom of Lake Superior, taking her crew of 29 men with her.

Scott and Mickey discuss the Fitzgerald, the ship's beginnings all the way to her tragic end, as well as Wisconsin's many connections to the most famous shipwreck in Great Lake's history.

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Opening Trailer:

Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion

Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI

Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition" - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media

Attribution for Music:

Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/

Intro: https://pixabay.com/

Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha https://www.pond5.com/

Attribution for logo design:

Red Claw Scratch Photo

Sources:

Duluth News Tribune - Archives

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

Green Bay Press Gazette - Archives

Lightfoot, Gordon - "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" - Utilized via Fair Use Doctrine

MacInnis, Joseph - "Fitzgerald's Storm"

Mixter, Ric - The Edmund Fitzgerald Exploration Lecture Series

Stonehouse, Frederick - "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"

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FrameMakers

Although not usually thought of as a state steeped in UFO history, Wisconsin lays claim to some of the most influential and important names in the field, dating back to the beginnings of the study itself.

From the founding of the oldest and largest civilian research organizations in the world, to 3 different towns claiming to be the "UFO Capitol of the World," to some of the strangest reported sightings in our nation's history, Wisconsin certainly has left, and continues to leave, an indelible mark in UFO lore.

Scott and Mickey discuss Wisconsin's place in UFOlogy, and review some of the claims that have baffled experts for decades...

Hear it all on our 50th episode of Badger Bizarre, "Wisconsin UFOlogy."

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Opening Trailer:

Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion

Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI

Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition" - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media

Attribution for Music:

Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/

Intro: https://pixabay.com/

Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha https://www.pond5.com/

Attribution for logo design:

Red Claw Scratch Photo

Sources:

Alamogordo Daily News - Archives

Appleton Post-Crescent - Archives

Blum, Howard: Out There

Chicago Tribune - Archives

Coast to Coast AM

Center for UFO Studies

https://driftlesstimesmedia.com/

Green Bay Press Gazette - Archives

Lorenzen, Coral: The Collected Issues of THE A.P.R.O BULLETIN AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION For The Years: 1958-59

Lorenzen, Coral: Flying Saucers: The Startling Evidence of the Invasion From Outer Space - Exposing the Establishment's UFO Coverup

Pierce County Journal

Wisconsin State Journal - Archives

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FrameMakers

On August 11th, 2009, 15-year-old Kayla Berg, after a fairly unremarkable day of hanging out with friends, went out with a trusted family friend, named Kevin Kielcheski. Although Kevin was 9 years older, Kayla had known Kevin virtually her entire life, was somewhat of a 'protective older brother-type,' and there was nothing unusual about them spending time together, according to her friends and family.

Kayla has never returned home.

After 16 years of investigations and searches, authorities have been unable to find her. Kevin, who is the last person known to be with her, reports he dropped her off at a friend's house, though has been unable to give much more information.

Scott and Mickey discuss the missing persons case of Kayla Berg, some of the theories about what may have happened to her, the important players, and ask you for more help.

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Opening Trailer:

Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion

Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI

Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition" - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media

Attribution for Music:

Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/

Intro: https://pixabay.com/

Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha https://www.pond5.com/

Attribution for logo design:

Red Claw Scratch Photo

Sources:

Charleyproject.org

"Disappeared - The Last Summer"

Missing Kayla May Berg

Trace Evidence Podcast

Wausau Daily Herald - Archives

Websleuths.com

Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune - Archives

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FrameMakers

Scott and Mickey talk with Jeff Finup, of Badgerland Legends and the Wisconsin Legends Podcast, about his newly published children's book, "Wisconsin Legends for Kids."

The book is a wonderful piece to stir your child's ever-inquisitive mind and sense of wonder, as well as learn about the rich cultural heritage of our state. 10 tales of Wisconsin history are featured, some fact, some maybe up for debate, but all with a flair of enchantment.

"Beneath the farm fields and rolling hills lies a darker side of Wisconsin. Mysterious creatures including werewolves, ghostly phantoms, and even lions roam the land. Put your explorer's cap on and dive into some of the best mysteries America's Dairyland has to offer."

Jeff Finup is an author, researcher, explorer, and the creator of Badgerland Legends and co-host of the Wisconsin Legends Podcast. When he's not writing about legends, he's exploring the backroads of Wisconsin in search of the strange and the bizarre.

In the opening banter, Scott and Mickey discuss the strange tale of Randy Borgwardt and discuss a haunted Wisconsin road trip.

All here, complete with Scott's lingering effects of 'Pneumonia Voice,' on a light-hearted Holiday Episode 48 of Badger Bizarre - "Wisconsin Legends for Kids."

"Wisconsin Legends for Kids," is now available for purchase here: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=stripbooks&rh=p_27%3AJeff+Finup&s=relevancerank&text=Jeff+Finup&ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1

See Jeff's work on Badgerland Legends on Facebook

And hear his work on the Wisconsin Legends Podcast , or on your favorite podcast platform.

Please Visit our sponsor: FrameMakers

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Opening Trailer:

Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion

Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI

Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition" - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media

Attribution for Music:

Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/

Intro: https://pixabay.com/

Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha https://www.pond5.com/

Attribution for logo design:

Red Claw Scratch Photo

From 1997-2010, a rash of drownings in the Mississippi River in La Crosse were mostly blamed by police on the culture of alcohol in Wisconsin. The deaths being attributed to people becoming inebriated, wondering down by the river, and ultimately falling in, unable to find their way out of the rushing or icy waters before succumbing.

However, a pattern soon began to appear, as all of the victims were college-aged young men, athletic, popular, good-looking, good students, were drinking, and ended up in the river. All of these deaths were the result of a culture of marriage between alcohol and college, according to law enforcement.

A group of independent investigators, some retired NYPD detectives, believed otherwise. They believe the deaths to be homicides, committed by a network of serial killers, deemed "The Smiley Face Killers," as smiley face grafitti was repeatedly found in the vicinity of these deaths, according to the detectives.

Scott and Mickey discuss the "Smiley Face Killers" theory, the rationale behind it, the drownings in La Crosse and how they correlate with others throughout the country.

In the opening Banter, we discuss the case of murder victim Mary Schlais, finally solved by DNA after 50 years, and the continued rise of familial DNA in solving cold cases.

All here, on Episode 47: "The Smiley Face Killers."

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Opening Trailer:

Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion

Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI

Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition" - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media

Attribution for Music:

Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/

Intro: https://pixabay.com/

Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha https://www.pond5.com/

Attribution for logo design:

Red Claw Scratch Photo

Sources:

Cappello, Nile; "Why Three Investigators Blame a Rash of Drowning Deaths on a Gang of Killers" Rolling Stone

Gannon, Kevin; Gilbertson, Lee: "Case Studies in Drowning Forensics."

La Crosse Tribune - Archives

Milwaukee Magazine; "Behind the Midwest Smiley Face Killers."

"Smiley Face Killers: The Hunt for Justice." Oxygen Network

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FrameMakers

We celebrate Halloween again this year by bringing you stories collected at the 2nd Annual Great Lakes Paranormal Conference. Real people telling us their real paranormal experiences, in their own voice.

Happy Halloween, everyone. We hope your week is frightful...

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Email us: [email protected]

Opening Trailer:

Ed Gein Sound Byte : "Hard Copy" - Paramount Domestic/CBS Televsion

Frank Lloyd Wright and Jeffery Dahmer Sound Byte - WISN 12 News - Milwaukee, WI

Jeffery Dahmer Quotes: "Inside Edition" - King World/CBS Television/CBS Media

Attribution for Music:

Trailer: Composer: Adam Phillip Zwirchmayr https://www.pond5.com/

Intro: https://pixabay.com/

Outro: Composer: Viacheslav Sarancha https://www.pond5.com/

Attribution for logo design:

Red Claw Scratch Photo

Sources:

NDTV.COM = Dream Communication

Wisconsin Right Now - Randolph Whiting

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FrameMakers