Debbie Zime - Graphic Design
I grew up near Superior, WI., the youngest of six, blessed with great parents and siblings who remain closer than any family I know. I graduated from UW-Stout with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Fine Art, Graphic Design concentration. After working in the Duluth, MN area for 8 years, I started my home business “Dezime Graphics”. My two daughters have kept me most busy over the years. One is currently in high school, and one is at UM-Duluth excelling in the art/graphic design field way beyond my talents. I spend most of my free time maintaining every aspect of household duties, financial balance, driving to soccer, basketball, track, etc... and enjoying the solitude of country living. I love bowhunting, fishing, cabin life, and riding Harleys. My husband of over 20 years has been my best friend, providing me with all the greatest moments during our adventures together. We are looking forward to some elk hunting trips and Canadian fly-in fishing trips in the future.
Larry Verkeyn - web design
I was born in "Spurior", WI and was raised as a flatlander in Antioch, IL. I grew up a Green Bay Packer fan in the 70s. Being surrounded by Chicago Bear fans, I learned to live with loss and ridicule.
I learned to smoke at 9. I learned to quit 30 years later.
I started working at 10 as a live "scarecrow" for a local farmer and made $10 a day, 5 days a week. I was the wealthiest kid I knew. Then I was fired for sleeping on the job. I learned the importance of hard work, and the cost of a nap.
At 16 I left home…involuntarily. I learned to honor my mother, or at least not call her a bitch. I also learned that I can sleep sitting up on a park bench and nobody will bother me, and that I drool in my sleep.
I moved to Milwaukee, WI, at 18 with a plan to put myself through 4 years of art school. I learned art school costs a lot of money, so I got a job at the art supply store instead. I learned that artists are a weird bunch…and that I fit in.
I started a dot COM business during the boom years with some friends and made a ton of money fast. I learned I could lose a ton of money quicker than I can make it.
I met Larry, my perfect partner, and we've been together for 17 years. We live with Keela, a rot/lab mix who doesn't quite understand yet that I am the pack leader, and Daryl "mama" kitty who somehow allows us to be in her presence no matter how human we are. I learned that dogs never remember the bad times, and cats never forget them.
Vivienne Aho - editor