Mel, LaVerne and sons Neal and Jeff Biske, known as the Melikins, live just outside Chicago in Bolingbrook, Illinois. They have toured the country from coast to coast and border to border.  Mel has been "puppeting" since his Cub Scout days.  The interest grew into a profession when in 1967, Mel and LaVerne formed the Melikin Puppet Theatre.
 
Since then they have been presenting educational and entertaining programs for schools, children's theatres, and libraries.  In addition, they provide a wide variety of programs for local groups, organizations and Cub Scout Blue and Gold dinners and Girl Scout dinners.