These are lean times in Maine. Economic recession, higher municipal taxes and gas prices rising by the minute have combined to create a perfect storm of financial turmoil for Maine residents, battering paychecks and laying siege to a person’s ability to go out and spend a fun day on the town.

With that in mind, the staff of Mainely Media has created this six-part series, where our intrepid area reporters head out into our coverage areas armed only with a $20 bill and a fierce desire to get the most bang for our bucks. We have found that with a little planning and some knowledge of the local community, $20 can buy a whole lot more fun than many people would imagine. Here’s the first installment, covering The Gazette’s, coverage range of Gorham, Buxton, Hollis, Standish and Limington.

Story and photos by Cliff White

Staff Writer

8:30 a.m. – Leaving my Old Orchard Beach home with an uncreased Andrew Jackson portrait warming uncomfortably in my pocket, I point my car northward and think only about coffee – caffeinated – to pump me up for the day, and if the caffeine proves insufficient in itself, hot enough to scald me into a wakeful state.

9:00 a.m. – Bypassing generic and less fun options, I steer up Broadturn Road and head to breakfast at Buxton’s Donut Hole, at the intersection of Routes 202 and 22. This local favorite, open 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, has the ambience of a diner and café hybrid, and serves strong, hot coffee and freshly baked pastries at very reasonable prices. The donut-making process begins at 2 a.m. each morning, according to servers Rachel Hoffman and Molly O’Brion. I opt for a small coffee and old fashioned-style donut for $2.25. Dipping my sweet, crunchy-on-the-outside, moist-and-chewy-on-the-inside ring of deliciousness into a steaming cup ‘o joe, the challenge ahead begins to look a whole lot more possible.

Total spent at this activity: $2.25

Total spent for the day: $2.25

Money left: $17.75

10:00 a.m. – Everything appears right for a beautiful and fun bike ride through the woods on the Mountain Division Trail, which runs from Windham to Standish. The sun is out and the temperature is 65 degrees and rising. My goal as I head out on the trail is to make the 10-mile roundtrip to Standish and back, normally well within the bounds of my ability. I see a woman headed out for a jog before me, and take some relief in knowing there are others using the trail, meaning it’s not too early in the season to attempt a bike ride. My confidence is way up as I blast past the trailhead and onto the dirt and gravel path. I get a little cocky as I streak by the jogging woman, coming out of my seat and pumping at a full-out pace, doing my best impersonation of Lance Armstrong. I even take a few action photos. Then, coming around a turn, I hit the snow – six inches thick covering the entire trail. I have no choice but to barrel into it, hoping to slow to a controlled stop. No such luck, as I slide out in a spectacular crash. Undaunted, I remount and make a noble charge at the next patch of snow and successfully make it through. However, the next patch turns out not to be a patch at all, but rather continues as far as my eye can see. I peddle as best I can for another mile, then after a quick break munching some snow to cool off, make the prudent but weak-minded decision to turn back.

Total spent this activity: $0.00

Total spent for the day: $2.25

Total left: $17.75

12:45 p.m. – Near delirious with hunger, I stumble into the Tree House Café in downtown Gorham – highly recommended by several pedestrians I ask about cheap places to grab a bite to eat. There I meet co-owners and brothers Marco, Michael and Angelo Salvaggio. The indoor/outdoor café, open 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, offers sandwich specialties for every taste, all served with the freshest ingredients. While house specialties include “The Don” Prosciutto, the “Raging Gobbler” and the appropriately named vegetarian “Tree Hugger,” after explaining my situation to Angelo, he tells me, “No problem,” before shouting an order for a “420 pizza sandwich” to his brothers. Served on foccaccia bread with pepperoni, marinara sauce, mozzarella and oregano, every bite is pure ecstasy. Thanking the brothers Salvaggio, I emerged into the glorious day, refreshed and ready for my next activity.

Total spent this activity: $4.20

Total spent for the day: $6.45

Total left: $13.55

2:00 p.m. – I have met a few people in my life who can say “no” to free beer. I am not one of them. Hidden among nondescript warehouses in the Gorham Industrial Park,  there is no doubt the highlight of Sebago Brewing Company’s brewery tour (about 45 minutes long, available by request by calling 856-2537) is the complementary tastes given out at the end. Brewer Ryan McArthur leads me around the facility, made distinct by a huge grain silo, explaining every step in the beer-making process. While the brewery produces 3,500 barrels of beer per year – more than 110,000 gallons – McArthur says it gets few visitors, even though the tour is entirely free. I shrug uncomprehendingly, tip back the last drought of my exquisitely-crafted Scottish Ale, and reluctantly head out toward my next activity.

Total spent this activity: $0.00

Total spent for the day: $6.45

Total left: $13.55

3:00 p.m. – Walking into the Art Guru’s new location in downtown Gorham (near the Tree House Café), I am certain I am having an enlightening religious experience. A man calmly peering at me behind spectacles and a draping beard is clearly my spirit guide. Undoubtedly, I must learn what I can from him. Fortunately, Jeremy Greene – the art guru himself – will give a brief, introductory art lesson to anyone making any purchase in his store. For a $5 budget, he tells me I can afford a high-end carbon pencil, an eraser and a piece of paper. In between pencil swipes, Greene imparts wisdom which is applicable to far beyond the world of art. “I create art as part of a means of self-discovery,” he says. “Exploring the universe is the same as exploring the self.” We turn the picture we are drawing upside-down. Greene tells me to “paint from the spine.” Nearly an hour later, my artistic skills have increased, but not nearly as much as my ability to perceive the world in varying forms of shadow and light, both actual and spiritual.

Total spent this activity: $4.98

Total spent for the day: $11.43

Total left: $8.57

5:30 p.m. – Checking the Gazette’s Things To Do guide, I scout out the rest of my day. I head over to Hollis Elementary School, where the 8- and 9-year-old members of the Goobernuts are hosting a spaghetti supper fundraiser. A first place finish at the Odyssey of the Mind regional competition earned the Goobernuts a spot at the world finals in College Park, Md. in early June. The spaghetti is tasty, but the good cheer of Bailey, Emily, Gage, Madeline, Rhiannon and Samantha as they tell me about their performance in the regionals is what makes the meal great.

Total spent this activity: $4.00

Total spent for the day: $15.43

Total left: $4.57

7:00 p.m. – There are several options for evening entertainment in the Things To Do calendar, all affordable, but in order to stay faithful to my $20 pledge, I head to Standish to take in a magic show to benefit 11-year-old Nick Wellington, who is ill with leukemia. Wellington is a student at the George E. Jack School, where the show is taking place. Though admission is $5 and I only have $4.57 left to spend, I throw in 43 cents of my own money to cover the difference. I meet organizer Deb Bondeson, who takes me backstage to meet both Wellington and magician Dennis Labbe, a.k.a Mr. Magic. Despite some technical difficulties, the show proves highly entertaining and everyone leaves with a big smile on their face.

Total spent this activity: $5.00

Total spent for the day: $20.43

Total left: $-0.43

10:00 p.m. – I arrive back at my home, tired from a long day of spending company money. I’ve done it, beaten the critics who said it couldn’t be done – and found it was easier than I had thought. Despite tough economic times, I found, $20 still stretches a long way when you put your mind to it.