$20 a day – Scarborough fun on the cheap (May 23, 2008)
Posted by Sentry Editor at 5/23/2008 10:58 AM 
Categories: Happenings, Outdoors and Recreation, Molly Lovell, Arts, Health, Sports, Environment, Economy
Categories: Happenings, Outdoors and Recreation, Molly Lovell, Arts, Health, Sports, Environment, Economy
Story and photographs by Molly Lovell
Staff writer
9 a.m. – With the sun shining and a $20 bill in my purse, I set out to explore Scarborough with the intent of having a fun-filled day. My first stop is breakfast at the Food Guy on Pleasant Hill Road. Kerri Munson takes my order of two eggs, homefries and toast along with a Pepsi (I need a jolt of caffeine to propel me into my day). Owner Willy Ledoux says he gets a lot of regulars from Prout’s Neck and Higgins Beachin the restaurant. A long time Scarborough resident, Ledoux has owned the Food Guy for 11 years. Out back he also owns an aqua golf range. Interesting, I think, I’ve never hit a golf ball in my life, but maybe I’ll come back later and try something new.
He also might be putting batting cages out back soon.
The Food Guy is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and on Thursdays and Fridays it’s open for happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m.
Total spent at this
activity: $7.15
Total spent for the day: $7.15
Money left: $12.85
10 a.m. – Breakfast was the fuel I needed for my next activity, a beginners martial arts class with Shawn Withers at Natural Motion Martial Arts. I arrive in workout gear and am greeted by Withers, who couldn’t be friendlier. He tells me he works with both disabled and non-disabled students on Broken Wing Kenpo, which incorporates traditional values with progressive thinking. He works with students 16-years-old up to 70 or older and does a lot of one-on-one work. Joining and encouraging me for my first martial arts class is Amanda Burnham of Saco and Johanna Gwynn of Naples. Withers notes everything one can gain from martial arts including a good cardiovascular workout, improved focus and concentration and reflexes and strength. He also says there’s always something new to learn or work on. Out of respect, he tells me, it’s customary to bow before entering and leaving the workout area, after which we start warming up. After some stretching it is time to get down to business and practice moves with our hands. It is evident I had never done this before. Withers has to teach me how to make a proper fist. We move on to do some kicks and punches – my favorite part. I am really feeling the workout and it is a good way to get rid of extra energy. We practice more kicking and also work on balance, something I’m apparently not that good at because I think I look a little foolish trying to hit targets while jumping on one foot. I say I probably look foolish, but that’s one thing I notice about Withers and the others in my class, I was never made to feel uncomfortable and after everything I tried, someone is always quick to offer up a “Good job.” Time flies by and soon my hour is up. It is refreshing to try something new and I am considering making this a regular routine.
Anyone can try out classes free for a week. Natural Motion Martial Arts is located at 15 Holly Street. To learn more visit www.naturalmotionmartialarts.com or call 883-6924.
Total spent at this
activity: $0.00
Total spent for the day: $7.15
Money left: $12.85
12:30 p.m. – I have never swung a golf club in my life, but think I’d be adventurous and go back to the aqua golf range on Pleasant Hill Road. $5 gets me a bucket of 45 golf balls that I (mostly) successfully launch into the pond behind the Food Guy. I call my fiancé for a few tips first. I am told to keep my eye on the ball and my arms straight during my swing. “It’s all in the swing,” he says. I have very little athletic ability, but I hit the golf balls hard enough to make that cool “swooshing” sound and the sound of the ball plunking in the water definitely makes me feel a sense of accomplishment. It take about 20 minutes to hit them all and I leave feeling pretty proud of myself for trying yet another new activity.
Total spent at this activity: $5.00
Total spent for the day: $12.15
Money left: $7.85
2 p.m. – Scarborough is popular for their trails and other natural activities and since I have never stepped foot on one, I decide to check out the Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary on Pine Point Road. There are 1.5 miles of walking trails that offer a view of the Scarborough Marsh with 52 acres of land. It is relaxing to get back to nature and I promise myself I will try to take advantage of what Maine has to offer outdoors on a fairly regular basis.
Total spent at this activity: $0.00
Total spent for the day: $12.15
Money left: $7.85
2:45 p.m. – After all that activity I definitely have a rumble in my stomach so I stop off at Chicago Dogs, my first visit to the restaurant. Todd Kerbrat is behind the counter and says business is getting busier with the better weather now upon us. He says the most popular items on the menu are cheese steaks and the Chicago dog combo – the Chicago dog combo it is, then, with tomatoes, pickles, mustard, peppers, celery salt and the most neon green relish I’ve ever seen. I accompany the dog with hand cut fries and a Mountain Dew to keep me going. Smothered in vinegar, ketchup, salt and pepper, I dig in. As I eat I notice that Chicago Dogs will deliver lunch or dinner by calling 799-DINE or visiting www.2dinein.com.
Total spent at this activity: $6.46
Total spent for the day: $18.61
Money left: $1.39
3:30 p.m. – Feeling pretty exhausted, but satisfied, I head down the Black Point Road to Ferry Beach. I spy a few, very large snowy egrets on my way. It is getting a little cold and my energy level is starting to dwindle, but take a short walk on the beach, taking in the scenery and sitting for a while until the chill gets to me.
Total spent at this activity: $0.00
Total spent for the day: $18.61
Money left: $1.39
4 p.m. – I drive around for a little while, looking for a farm stand to spend the rest of my money, but I think it’s too early in the season. Once the weather gets warmer, I think there will more outdoor activities, more church dinners and community fairs to take advantage of. One thing I also wanted to do but didn’t have the chance to was play bingo with the seniors at Hillcrest Community Center. Every Friday they have bingo at 11:30 a.m. for only $2.
Staff writer
9 a.m. – With the sun shining and a $20 bill in my purse, I set out to explore Scarborough with the intent of having a fun-filled day. My first stop is breakfast at the Food Guy on Pleasant Hill Road. Kerri Munson takes my order of two eggs, homefries and toast along with a Pepsi (I need a jolt of caffeine to propel me into my day). Owner Willy Ledoux says he gets a lot of regulars from Prout’s Neck and Higgins Beachin the restaurant. A long time Scarborough resident, Ledoux has owned the Food Guy for 11 years. Out back he also owns an aqua golf range. Interesting, I think, I’ve never hit a golf ball in my life, but maybe I’ll come back later and try something new.
He also might be putting batting cages out back soon.
The Food Guy is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and on Thursdays and Fridays it’s open for happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m.
Total spent at this
activity: $7.15
Total spent for the day: $7.15
Money left: $12.85
10 a.m. – Breakfast was the fuel I needed for my next activity, a beginners martial arts class with Shawn Withers at Natural Motion Martial Arts. I arrive in workout gear and am greeted by Withers, who couldn’t be friendlier. He tells me he works with both disabled and non-disabled students on Broken Wing Kenpo, which incorporates traditional values with progressive thinking. He works with students 16-years-old up to 70 or older and does a lot of one-on-one work. Joining and encouraging me for my first martial arts class is Amanda Burnham of Saco and Johanna Gwynn of Naples. Withers notes everything one can gain from martial arts including a good cardiovascular workout, improved focus and concentration and reflexes and strength. He also says there’s always something new to learn or work on. Out of respect, he tells me, it’s customary to bow before entering and leaving the workout area, after which we start warming up. After some stretching it is time to get down to business and practice moves with our hands. It is evident I had never done this before. Withers has to teach me how to make a proper fist. We move on to do some kicks and punches – my favorite part. I am really feeling the workout and it is a good way to get rid of extra energy. We practice more kicking and also work on balance, something I’m apparently not that good at because I think I look a little foolish trying to hit targets while jumping on one foot. I say I probably look foolish, but that’s one thing I notice about Withers and the others in my class, I was never made to feel uncomfortable and after everything I tried, someone is always quick to offer up a “Good job.” Time flies by and soon my hour is up. It is refreshing to try something new and I am considering making this a regular routine.
Anyone can try out classes free for a week. Natural Motion Martial Arts is located at 15 Holly Street. To learn more visit www.naturalmotionmartialarts.com or call 883-6924.
Total spent at this
activity: $0.00
Total spent for the day: $7.15
Money left: $12.85
12:30 p.m. – I have never swung a golf club in my life, but think I’d be adventurous and go back to the aqua golf range on Pleasant Hill Road. $5 gets me a bucket of 45 golf balls that I (mostly) successfully launch into the pond behind the Food Guy. I call my fiancé for a few tips first. I am told to keep my eye on the ball and my arms straight during my swing. “It’s all in the swing,” he says. I have very little athletic ability, but I hit the golf balls hard enough to make that cool “swooshing” sound and the sound of the ball plunking in the water definitely makes me feel a sense of accomplishment. It take about 20 minutes to hit them all and I leave feeling pretty proud of myself for trying yet another new activity.
Total spent at this activity: $5.00
Total spent for the day: $12.15
Money left: $7.85
2 p.m. – Scarborough is popular for their trails and other natural activities and since I have never stepped foot on one, I decide to check out the Scarborough River Wildlife Sanctuary on Pine Point Road. There are 1.5 miles of walking trails that offer a view of the Scarborough Marsh with 52 acres of land. It is relaxing to get back to nature and I promise myself I will try to take advantage of what Maine has to offer outdoors on a fairly regular basis.
Total spent at this activity: $0.00
Total spent for the day: $12.15
Money left: $7.85
2:45 p.m. – After all that activity I definitely have a rumble in my stomach so I stop off at Chicago Dogs, my first visit to the restaurant. Todd Kerbrat is behind the counter and says business is getting busier with the better weather now upon us. He says the most popular items on the menu are cheese steaks and the Chicago dog combo – the Chicago dog combo it is, then, with tomatoes, pickles, mustard, peppers, celery salt and the most neon green relish I’ve ever seen. I accompany the dog with hand cut fries and a Mountain Dew to keep me going. Smothered in vinegar, ketchup, salt and pepper, I dig in. As I eat I notice that Chicago Dogs will deliver lunch or dinner by calling 799-DINE or visiting www.2dinein.com.
Total spent at this activity: $6.46
Total spent for the day: $18.61
Money left: $1.39
3:30 p.m. – Feeling pretty exhausted, but satisfied, I head down the Black Point Road to Ferry Beach. I spy a few, very large snowy egrets on my way. It is getting a little cold and my energy level is starting to dwindle, but take a short walk on the beach, taking in the scenery and sitting for a while until the chill gets to me.
Total spent at this activity: $0.00
Total spent for the day: $18.61
Money left: $1.39
4 p.m. – I drive around for a little while, looking for a farm stand to spend the rest of my money, but I think it’s too early in the season. Once the weather gets warmer, I think there will more outdoor activities, more church dinners and community fairs to take advantage of. One thing I also wanted to do but didn’t have the chance to was play bingo with the seniors at Hillcrest Community Center. Every Friday they have bingo at 11:30 a.m. for only $2.
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