About Dennis deNure
My full name is Dennis Amadeus de Nure, although I was born John Michael DeNure on September 2, 1956 at 11:08 am in Platteville Wisconsin, home of the world's largest "M" symbol. In 1985 after watching Peter Shaffer's screenplay movie "Amadeus" I decided I too should have that cool middle name and since I was going to legally change my middle name, why not my first also? So I picked "Dennis" after the Greek God of ritual dance and sacred mysticism---DIONYSUS. Dionysus, also known by his Roman name Bacchus, is sometimes thought of as the God of Wine. Seems fitting as I like to drink and so did Mozart. It wouldn't surprise me to learn if Dave Barry likes to drink too, as I believe Mr. Barry thinks he's the reincarnation of old Wolfgang himself.
In fact, drinking and drinking too much and then driving, is one of the foremost issues of our day. And I am an expert having been blessed with a two year prison sentence in the State of Iowa for drunk driving. Someday in the near future I will publish my writings on this subject in the book title: Confessions of a Drunk Driver.
I was released from a maximum security prison in Oakdale Iowa on November 22, 2004. I will soon be making available some of my prison art, prison read books, prison unopened mail, prison clothes, prison commissary souvenirs and before prison tortured beanie babies for sale in the spirit of helping Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold become President, which is the subject of this new invention of mine; my Feingold President Museum--A traveling exhibit and web-show. You can view this stuff by clicking on the Gift Shop title tag. Although there is little humor in drunk driving, I hope you see the humor and feel the positive spirit of "being alive" in the beginning of the twenty first century. Please don't be offended and remember Senator Feingold does not endorse or approve or even understand my museums, my writings and my inventions.
For twelve years I ran a store on State Street in Madison Wisconsin called Game HavenTM but had to close shop for my inability to pay rental obligations. (12-31-05) I had a great run selling Magic the Gathering cards, Poke'mon cards and acting as a secondary market selling Beanie Babies. Just ten years ago in 1996 this country went absolutely crazy in buying Beanies. I sold Humphrey the Camel, Peking the Panda and an old face cranberry Teddy for over two thousand dollars each. Now Click Here to read an excerpt from On Wisconsin magazine and see the front cover with Madisonian Jerry Frautschi, who donated 205 million to build the wonderful Overture Center for the Arts.
Today, I consider myself a t-shirt seller, although I am always promoting my two main inventions: 1) The Make Sport Not WarTM Invention and 2) The Madison's Museum MileTM Invention. Click Here to read a 7-12-06 Platteville Journal story on my efforts to get Russ Feingold elected President. You can read more about these inventions in my Russ Running Blogs as they develop.
My first big break in the t-shirt business was selling a shirt called Eat Cheese or Die, which took place twenty years ago and in which I trademarked. Click Here to read a front page story in the October 21, 1986 edition of The Capital Times.
I've run for Mayor of Madison a few times and you can see below a picture by Joe Jackson of me with Joe Sensenbrenner, Paul Soglin, John Roussos, Richard Berg, and Eugene Parks in the Wisconsin State Journal in the spring of 1989.
Finally, I'd like to share with you the fact my great grandfather was Robert Dugdale who owned the newspaper Grant County News for 55 years. Bob Dugdale was a staunch supporter of old Bob LaFollette and died in 1956. My great great great great grandfather was early Platteville settler Frederick Hollman, who arrived in America in 1817 from Germany and arrived in Platteville in 1828. Hollman is credited with building the first house in the first Capital of Illinois (Vandalia) and was appointed "Justice of the Peace" by Henry Dodge in 1836. Click Here to see a photograph of the original document and a photo of a wash drawing of Fred & Martha Hollman done in 1828 by W.K. Knowles.
I hope you visit my web page often and enjoy Mike Dooley's Notes From The Universe. Remember, in Apples to Apples consciousness it's important to feel Senator Russ Feingold and to me, he feels good-fun-new-happy-lively-light and GREAT! And please consider buying and wearing a Russ Shirt; it's a lot of fun, a great conversation topic and should be worn with an empowering attitude.
