There will be many more to come, but here is a snipit from my Blog website at http://www.ILovePortlandMaine.com . I hope you enjoy and please if you live in Portland, Maine, have lived in Portland, ME, have had the pleasure of visiting Portland, Maine, or would love to visit someday, please take a look and provide your own reason for Why You Love Portland Maine! Thank you!!
Please visit http://www.ILovePortlandMaine.com to see the list and video in its entirety. Thanks!
There are so many reasons we love Portland, Maine, and all that surrounds this wonderful city. Whether you have lived here your entire life, relocated within Maine or from another state, or just visited us briefly, there many things about Portland that you will remember forever. Please email me at JeffMateja@hotmail.com with what "You Love About Portland Maine", and why, and I will post those items here for all to read and allow those who cannot be here to enjoy from afar. Thank you in advance for your submission and taking the time to check us out. Thank You! ~ Jeff
Reason #25 - Portland Head Light
Alright, so not exactly located in Portland, but a short distance away in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, in Fort Williams Park, is Portland Head Light, Maine's oldest lighthouse built in 1791. Often referred to as "the most photographed lighthouse in North America", the beacon towers 80 feet high and interestingly is one of only four colonial lighthouses to not have been rebuilt, and serves as the beautiful back drop to the finish of the annual Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race.
Reason #57 - Eastern Promenade
Located on the east side of the peninsula amongst sixty-eight acres on Casco Bay, the "Eastern Prom" includes a public boat launch, the East End beach, the 2.1 mile Eastern Prom trail along the shore, the Narrow Gauge Railroad, and absolutely stunning homes that decorate the landscape. Many love the open space for taking in the views of the islands and Casco Bay, playing baseball, frisbee, or just laying out and catching some rays. Each Fourth of July, the Eastern Prom hosts the annual City of Portland fireworks display that lights up Casco Bay over Fort Gorges.
Reason #18 - The Old Port
An amazing piece of Portland, Maine, known for everything from elegant dining to trendy boutique shopping to wonderful entertainment, makes the Old Port great for everyone, young and old. You can always count on exciting nightlife often filled with many great performances by musicians in local establishments. If it's food you're looking for you can appreciate a fresh seafood dinner, sushi, brick oven pizza, or fine dining from the many restaurants that blanket Exchange St, Fore St, Wharf St, or Commercial St. Connected to the Old Port and adding to the character of cobblestone streets, is the working waterfront on Commercial St. which lends to the crisp smell of the ocean.
Reason #60 - Portland Seadogs, Portland Pirates, Lewiston Maineiacs
Lacking a major league level sports team has not kept us from enjoying professional sports here in Portland, Maine. From the early years of the Maine Mariners, Portland Windjammers, and Maine Guides, Portland sports fans have always enjoyed athletics and the success of local Mainers while traditionally maintaining loyalty to the Boston area pro sports teams. Thanks to our love of sports, the fans in the area have witnessed a flurry of great athletes play in the Greater Portland area thanks to the Portland Seadogs, Portland Pirates, and Lewiston Maineiacs, and the visiting opponents. Sidney Crosby, David Ortiz, Josh Beckett, Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, and various other athletes have spent time in Portland and amazed the great fans and athletic enthusiasts who may not always get down to Fenway Park, The Garden, or Gillette Stadium to enjoy a game.
The Stanley Cup even visited Portland in 2007, as the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, the one-time parent franchise of the Portland Pirates, hoisted the trophy in the NHL and recognized Portland's efforts in helping them bring home the Cup with a number of former Pirates on the championship team. Cheers to Portland, the sports fans of Maine for supporting their teams and continuing the opportunity to see sports live at such a high level of play. http://www.portlandpirates.com , http://www.portlandseadogs.com , http://www.lewistonhockey.com
Reason #98 - Three Dollar Dewey's (Reader Comment by Brad Gagne)
"Three Dollar Deweys...Nuff said" one reader responded with regard to Three Dollar Dewey's, which sums it up if you're a regular and have consumed your fair share of the wide assortment of pints at this local watering hole. Referred to as 'Maine's Original Ale House', and frequented by many locals, "Dewey's" is a well-known fixture (corner of Commercial St and Union St. in Portland) with a number of imported beers, many beers on tap, and everyone's favorite - the freshly popped popcorn. A friendly crew that also serves as the sponsor bar for the WAKA Kickball League, and thus where you will find many of the patrons unwinding after their kickball games to enjoy a few seasonal Shipyard pitchers and appetizers. http://www.threedollardeweys.com
Reason #77 - Flatbread Company (Reader Comment by Amy Carr, Bangor Savings Bank, 1084 Brighton Ave, Portland, Maine)
I love the diversity of the city...the energy...the trendy shops in the Old Port...the awesome restaurants we have to pick from to take all of our guests and friends visiting from out of state...especially Flatbread Pizza - great pizza and a fun place to hang out....I love walking around Back Cove. Most of all I cannot imagine living anywhere else...for me, it is Maine - "The Way Life Should Be".
Flatbread Company located at 72 Commercial St. in Portland, Maine, is a very casual dining experience featuring healthy "flatbreads", various organic ingredients and salads. Enjoy watching the pizzas made in the open kitchen and cooked in the hearth in the middle of the restaurant. Always a great time with a nice patio deck for dining in the summer months.
Reason #14 - Beach to Beacon 10K, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
The beautiful idea of 1984 USA Olympic Gold Medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson (First ever Women's Marathon), the 10K annual road race from Crescent Beach to Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth features some of the most elite runners in the world mingled with many local running enthusiasts.
Since the first race in August 1998, the number of participants and spectators have grown (5,000+) to make this an annual summer tradition along Route 77 with the wonderful back drop of Fort Williams Park and Portland Headlight at the finish. We have also been witness to Joan Benoit Samuelson competing in the race certain years running alongside her running partners and friends. http://www.beach2beacon.org
Reason #30 - Yarmouth Clam Festival
You can count on there being something for everyone on the third weekend in July in Yarmouth at the Yarmouth Clam Festival. A tradition going on 44 years, features great food, art, music, and plenty of competition for the young and young at heart. Just for kicks...try your hand at the Clam Shucking Contest, the Pat's Pizza Five Mile Road Race, the Canoe / Kayak Race...or enjoy the sights of the kickoff parade, battle of the bands, and cap it off with all of the fabulous food. We'll see you July 17-19, 2009. http://www.clamfestival.com
Reason #53 - Portland Stage Company
Celebrating their 35th anniversary in 2008, the Portland Stage Company has been delivering great productions from the works of Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and Tennessee Williams among many others since 1974. Recently, each winter, you can count on the classic "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens from the professional group at the Portland Stage Company on Forest Avenue known as Northern New England's largest, non-profit theatre. Get your tickets today and enjoy an always amazing show. http://www.portlandstage.com
Reason #21 - Victorian Mansion
Built in the late 1850's, the Victorian Mansion is a gorgeous brownstone building located in the Arts District featuring amazing architecture and a stunning interior. Tours of the magnificent building are open to the public to showcase the pre-Civil War furnishings (art work, furniture, stained glass) and woodworkings, and the continued efforts to restore the wonderful landmark. Make your way to the Victorian Mansion to appreciate and preserve a piece of history right here in Portland. The Victorian Mansion is located at 109 Danforth Street in Portland. http://www.victoriamansion.org
Reason #96 - Social Networking / Business Involvement / Community
Seems like every week and sometimes each day and night of the week, area residents and business folks alike gather across Portland and the surrounding towns to socialize and network extensively. You can rest assured that if you move to Portland, Maine, you will not have trouble meeting new people or starting a new business. The Chamber of Commerce has regular events and even a sub-chapter of the chamber, called PROPEL, made up traditionally of the younger members meets quite frequently to encourage networking and thought amongst area businesses in order to grow.
You will also find less formal and a more laid back approach to your social networking through various area groups like the Social Network of Maine (SNOM), Portland Green Drinks, Rainbow Business Professional Association (RBPA), and DownEast Pride Alliance (DEPA), just to name a few. Portland, South Portland, and various surrounding towns of the Greater Portland area also support over 15 Business Network International (BNI) chapters through a more structured networking and word-of-mouth referral based organization. For more information on some of these networks, please visit http://www.socialnetworkofmaine.com , http://www.portlandgreendrinks.com , and http://www.bnimaine.com .
Always a great way to meet new friends, share thoughts and ideas, and perhaps land that perfect client or job you have been in search for all this time. The word-of-mouth referral and support of the local economy has kept Portland fairly steady economically.
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