Volsteadland Blog

Does anyone recognize this art piece or the photo in the middle? I found it in a stack of photos and I have no idea where it came from. My guess is it was in a drawer in one of our old houses and it just made the move with us. No one in my family re…

Meet Marilyn Ann Tollefson. She is the woman who is at the center of the White Slavery trial that took place in 1960 where Kid Cann (Izzy/Fergie et.al) was on trial for transporting this woman across state lines for “immoral purposes”.⁠ …

Normally on Fridays I post a cocktail that has something to do with the latest episode. But this week I’m going to tell you about tea. It’s the favorite tea of @melissaoliveri (our most recent guest). Her friend @foxescuriosity sent it t…

If you heard the episode I released yesterday, The Spark, and you’re curious about the room in which Melissa “met” Kid Cann, this is the wall where she was looking at the wallpaper when he whispered in her ear. I sure loved this ho…

This morning I released a bonus episode for you! It’s the full version of my chat with Melissa Oliveri about how she “met” Kid Cann. If you listened to episode 4, Drunk Chickens, you’ve heard part of this, but this is the who…

I ran into a friend the other night who said that they didn't see a super easy way to listen to all the episodes in order. I pondered this for awhile and it came to me....PLAYLISTS!! So I created one in Spotify (click here) Or just click below: …

I'm researching the so-called White Slavery Trial for an upcoming episode while we’re on hiatus. I can’t wait to share with you. This is the report of an interview with Marilyn Tollefson, the sex worker involved in the case. I have be…

This was from the St. Cloud Times February 5, 1945There has GOT to be more of this story. I have so many questions!They were found by her boss? Hmm.How do people die of carbon monoxide poisoning when the car is OUTSIDE?Did she have a relationship wi…

Last night I was looking on my local PBS channel for a film I'd seen about Skid Row (more on that later) and I found this gem. It's a documentary about First Avenue, our local iconic nightclub/music venue. It's soooo good. If you watch it, you will…

Today we're thankful for...YOU! Happy Thanksgiving. We want you to know how very thankful we are for you, dear listeners. We reached over 1300 downloads this week and have a bunch of new listeners. So WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! ⁠ We know …