Money and Music

We were invited to a dinner and program at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center by our financial planner. The program featured a renowned Chief Economist and Economic Advisor, Jeff Thredgold, and his wife, Lynette, who is a world-class pop violinist and recording star. She is also a personal trainer, wrestler and body builder. A couple of the things that I remembered from the economist's speech was that: In 1980 a college graduate averaged 25% more in earnings than those who only had a high school diploma. Today, those with college degrees earn an average of 90% more than their counterparts with just a high school education. Also, someone with good computer skills generally makes at least 15% more in the same job than someone without those important skills. Currently one out of every three working toward a college degree is 40 or older. Because of the importance of a college education our estate and trust attorney told us that he and his wife have set up sort of a Family Perpetual Education Fund (patterned after the Church) for their children and future grandchildren. Good idea!


When we walked in to the dinner we didn't see anyone we knew amongst those already seated, so we picked out an empty table on the far side. I told Reed maybe no one would sit with us but right after that a couple came along and asked if they could join us. For some reason, the woman seemed vaguely familiar. After they were seated the woman said her name was Alice and her husband was Gene. We said we were Kathy and Reed. I had a sudden revelation and asked if she was Alice as in Alice Gardner who went to Logan High. She said, "Yes, so who are you?" She was staring at me and saying, "Kathy, Kathy, Kathy who?" I started laughing and she said, "Kathy Milligan...I recognize you from your laugh." We were in the same graduating class 40years ago and hadn't seen each other since. We really never had much to do with each other. Alice confided in me that my sister had married her first boyfriend, Ron Malouf. I guess she was so devastated that she never married until a year and a half ago. LOL. Alice married a guy and inherited 5 children, 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was talking so softly that I had a hard time hearing her but I think she said one of her stepkids is older than she is. Alice and Gene are trying to get their finances in order so they can put their papers in for a 23 month proselyting mission. Reed thought the old man looked like he had one foot in the grave and the other one on a banana peel. Gene grew up in Kaysville and knew Grandpa Prigmore and Uncle Gene. Alice and Gene met each other in the Bountiful Temple where they both work. They live in Centerville. Funny, funny!