"Hello, George -

Boy - is your piano article timely!

In an ongoing struggle to finance our daughters' college educations (that's another story) we have decided to sell our treasured 1905 mahogany Model A Steinway Grand Piano. It does need some restoration and we are hoping to find it a good home (perhaps with visitation rights?)

Anyone out there interested in making us an offer we can't refuse??!

It's sad and FRUSTRATING that the cost of higher education really hits the hardest if you're in the mid-income bracket. Even top students with merit scholarships and financial aid are likely to get saddled with student loans. It's tough enough trying to launch a young career - but having to deal with paying back those loans. Yikes!

There's got to be a better way. Not every smart, ambitious high school graduate wants to go to a community college or a state school...or have to sell the family piano....

Hm-m-m-m...

Diane Taylor (electronic mail, March 17, 2004)