Kathleen Backman, B.A. Kathleen Backman has lived in Plumas County, California since 1994. She attended Concordia College Portland, Oregon where she studied Early Childhood Education and Art. She completed her studies in Sociology at Chico State University, California. She is a mural artist and worked as an art teacher for 12 years. Her illustrations of the Original Graeagle Bear story can be found on the boulders that landscape the Graeagle Outpost. This story is patterned after her encounter with a local bear swimming in the Mill Pond one summer morning. Mary Lou "Dink" Rife B.S., M.A. Mary Lou "Dink" Rife has lived in Plumas County, California since 1964. She received her B.S. Degree from Colorado University, Boulder and her M. A. Degree in psychology from The University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. She is a retired school teacher and counselor and worked with all grade levels. "Dink" enjoys writing stories, poems, and greeting cards in rhyme. This is her first children's story.