These are lean times in Maine. Economic recession, high municipal taxes and gas prices have combined to batter our paychecks and lay siege on a person’s ability to go out and spend a day on the town.
With that in mind, the staff at Mainely Media has created this six part series where our intrepid reporters head into our towns armed with only a $20 bill and a fierce desire to get the most bang for our bucks.
Last week, Stephanie Grinnell showed us the sights of Saco, Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach. This week marks the final installment of the series as Emma Bouthillette checks out some of the many things to do in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.

Story and photos by
Emma Bouthillette
Staff Writer
8:30 a.m. With my dad’s dog Bree, as my copilot, dog treats stowed and a list of things to do, I depart for the day. First on the agenda is to find some coffee and breakfast. As I head down Route 1 through Biddeford, Arundel and into Kennebunk, I keep my eyes peeled for a little café.

9:15 a.m. Just past Main Street, Kennebunk, a line of cars is parked on the side of the road. I park and decide to try breakfast at Squaretoe’s Restaurant, just across the street.
“Have a seat where ever you’d like,” waitress Patrice Platt, of Kennebunk, says.
I sit down at what serves as a breakfast counter in the morning, but is a fully stocked bar through lunch and dinner. Between the bar and tables, there is ample seating for diners in the small restaurant.
After hearing the daily specials, three cheese omelet and homemade blueberry muffins, I decide on a muffin and have it grilled.
Money spent on this activity: $5 (including tip)
Total money spent: $5
Money remaining: $15

10:15 a.m. Further down York Street, I arrive at Southern Maine Integrated Health Care, home to the Kennebunk Fitness Loft. After signing a liability waiver and paying the drop-in fee, the resistance training class begins promptly at 10:30 a.m.
Along with Kathy Drown and Laura Smith, I follow instructor Bridget Sheehan’s clear directions working first with the Bosu balls, then resistance bands and ending with Pilates.
“I give small classes so I can give individual attention,” Sheehan says.
I have a hard time balancing on top of the rounded Bosu, so I move the ball closer to the wall and hold on for support. Sheehan assures me that it takes a few work outs before anyone is comfortable on the ball. Even she wobbles during a few of the exercises.
The resistance bands bring the arms into the workout and I can definitely feel the burn. As she instructs us through each motion, Sheehan makes a point to say what muscle groups are being worked and to correct any improper movements.
As we end with Pilates, I know that I will be sore tomorrow since I haven’t been working out on a regular basis.
Money spent on this activity: $8
Total money spent: $ 13
Money remaining: $7

11:30 a.m. Sheehan’s class ends as promptly as it began. I head back from the direction I came thinking a quick lunch would be good. Just before crossing the river onto Main Street, I spot a little lunch van with “Hot Diggity Dog” painted across the side.
I pull into the parking lot, hop out and let Bree walk around. Hot Diggity Dog is a hot spot for a quick lunch. As I order a cheese dog off the menu, five men wait for their lunches and three more line up behind me. The service is quick and the toppings are self serve.
I sit at one of the picnic tables under a tree beside the lunch van to enjoy the cheese dog and the beautiful day.
Money spent on this activity: $2.25
Total money spent: $15.25
Money remaining: $4.75

12 p.m. After lunch, I drive down Route 35 into Kennebunkport. I find a parking spot beside the Louis T. Graves Memorial Library and take Bree to walk around Dock Square and do some window-shopping.
Members of Environment Maine are on every street corner talking with passers by. They were street canvassing to recruit members whose contributions would help with research and to advocate the reduction of global warming.
Money spent on this activity: $0
Total money spent: $15.25
Money remaining: $4.75

1 p.m. I return Bree to my car and head into the library for the chess and cribbage meeting that convenes every Friday. People trickle in and I am recruited by Dick Philopena to play cribbage, while eight other people pair off to play chess.
I explain to Philopena that I learned how to play cribbage from my grandfather, and he is usually the only person I play with.
“I’ll be your grandfather today,’ Philopena says.
As we play game after game, everyone playing chess is diligently working on the same game they started with. While our conversation includes counting our cards and small talk, everyone else is pretty quiet.
“We just came from the community center. I’ve been playing cards all day, and boy, I’ve been getting the cards,” Philopena says.
He definitely was getting the cards because I only managed to win one game.
Money spent on this activity: $0
Total money spent: $15.25
Money remaining: $4.75

3 p.m. My stomach is grumbling, so I hop in my car and drive over to Port Bakery and Café. Sitting on their outdoor deck, I splurge on a chocolate chip cookie and hydrate with a Vitamin Water. Clouds are rolling in and the wind picks up. I contemplate what to do next.
Money spent on this activity: $4.28
Total money spent: $19.58
Money remaining: $0.47

3:30 p.m. The River Tree Center for the Arts is just around the corner from Port Bakery. I have passed the building so many times, but had never been in, so I decided I should check it out. Inside the building, there are two galleries, The Irving Gallery and the Performance Hall Gallery.
First I check out the Performance Hall Gallery, which is hosting a retrospective show of works by Muriel Zachary of Kennebunk. The large canvases are hung around the room and are well lit for viewing. I find the progression of her work stunning.
Hara Harding, the gallery manager, joins me in the gallery.
“Exhibits are roughly one month long in the Performance Gallery and the Irving Gallery has roughly eight exhibits in one year. Currently, the exhibit in the Irving Gallery is juried. We are a community organization so having open juried exhibits allows local artist to enter,” Harding says.
I cross the entryway to check out the juried show in the Irvine Gallery called “The Drawing.” It consists of work by 14 different artist and various types of drawings. Each work is labeled with title and artist, and artist biographies are available on a table in the room.
I spend quite some time in that room looking at each different image and processing what defines it as a drawing. Before leaving, I chat with Harding one last time and she suggests one last thing for my day.
Money spent on this activity: $0
Total money spent: $19.58
Money remaining: $0.47

4:30 p.m. Driving back into Kennebunk, I’m excited to find the pond Harding told me about, tucked at the end of Water Street. Past the Kennebunk Light and Power Station, there is a sign on the right for Roger’s Pond and a little access road to a parking lot beside the Mousam River. Roger’s Pond is a large pond alongside the river and a walking path encircling the pond.
Bree is ready to play after having been stuck in the car for most of the day. We walk along the running river and then around the pond a couple of times. Harding told me the path around the pond is about a quarter mile.
There is also a well-kept picnic area. Some tables are under a roof, while other tables are in open air. I am excited Harding shared this recreation spot. It is nice to be outside, listening to river running and walking around, until the down pour starts! I decide this is a sign to call it quits for the day and drag Bree back to the car and head home.
Money spent on this activity: $0
Total money spent: $19.58
Money remaining: $0.47

Thinking about everything I had done in the course of the day, I feel rather accomplished that I had spent pennies under $20. I’m not going to lie either, I was tuckered out by the time I returned home!