Topics for Today - Author Jeannie Burlowski:

Ely native, Jeannie Burlowski, came to share her book, "Launch - How to get your kids through college debt-free and into jobs they love afterward". She presented portions of her strategies for children from 0 to 26, and focused upon three general areas, quoting from various chapters. Starting with websites like upromise.com that share savings with parents, to methods to ensure CLEP credits for college-level work, to an emphasis upon certified professional career interest guidance and testing. 

Jeannie was born in Ely, but grew up in Oregon but retains her Lake Vermilion cabin on the Mud Creek Road. She discussed the changing workplaces in which she and others now can work from the shores of the lake in meaningful and well-compensated careers. She decried the levels of debt for some students to get degrees in fields where there are no jobs and how we all need to re-evaluate student debt, as well as getting trained into jobs that people enjoy, without all of the debt. 

As a final gesture, she left us with three copies of her book, and if we deem it justified, to donate one each to the Ely Public Library, and the Ely and Babbitt High Schools. It was a thought provoking and stimulating presentation.