Insight: “There’s no such thing as a free lunch” by Lorraine Glowczak

It was a daily mantra to the seventh and eighth grade classes at Jefferson County Middle School. My science teacher used every opportunity he could to educate me and my fellow classmates that you can’t get something for nothing.

“Whatever ‘free’ goods and services are provided for you, you must remember this - they have to be paid for by someone. There is no such thing as a free lunch,” he would remind us when the word “free” was expressed within his vicinity.

Although our economic minded science teacher is not the first person to utter those words, I had assumed in my early teens that he was the author of this well-known proverb.

As I grew older, this expression would jump back into my consciousness and my teacher’s voice would echo deep in the creases of my mind whenever the word, “free” was mentioned. It’s as if the distant memory of him would not hesitate to stand in front of me, waving his index finger to remind me of the truth.

He and his proverbial wisdom often sneaks up on me in unexpected ways. For example, this past week I was enjoying the comments on the Windham Eagle’s social media page. A few happy readers had posted their appreciation for the newspaper and the news we provide for the community.

Just as I was feeling grateful for the comments of gratitude, Mr. Proverbial himself jumped right out of the computer screen and right into my face when I read one comment, “….and best of all, the newspaper is free!”

Now, wouldn’t you know it – he has taken control of the keyboard and is determined to write this Insight. We battled it out and he won.

Yes, this newspaper is free, and the Windham Eagle team wishes to keep it that way. We enjoy providing fun, positive and solution-based news to all of you amazing readers. But it is true that there is a great cost to publishing a small-town local newspaper. So, how do we provide your news for free? While your reading one of your favorite articles, be sure to notice the creatively produced ads purchased by our local businesses.

They are the ones that are offering the goods and services provided here for you. As a result, I want to take a moment to personally thank all those businesses that support us. You can thank them too by expressing words of gratitude when you see them - and by purchasing their goods and services.

After all, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.