Seasons of Portland: Congress and Forest

As I was putting together some more "Then & Now" photos, which I will share some day soon, I started to realize that I have a huge personal archive of photos from this blog that I could also try combining with photos taken in the present day. One of the first series of then and now photos from my own archives will focus on the seasons of Portland. To start things off, here is the corner of Congress Street and Forest Avenue from September 2013 and February 2013:

Seasons of Portland - Congress Square

An entry in the Seasons of Portland series from Congress Square:

Seasons of Portland

As we prepare for the actual (non-calendar) change from winter to spring, here is a collage of photos from each season in Portland. 

Seasons of Portland: Canal Plaza

A multi-seasoned view of Canal Plaza, which sits at the edge of the city's Old Port district:

Seasons of Portland: Wharf Street

Today's Seasons of Portland installment is from Wharf Street. The winter photo is from back in February and the summer photo was taken last month. This was a fun one to match up!

Seasons of Portland: Tommy's Park

Another summer/winter combo from Tommy's Park in the Old Port. On the left is August 2016 and on the right is December 2013. These shots are fun for me to do and I am currently motivated by the upcoming changing of the seasons.

Seasons of Portland - Lower Exchange

Another two-season view, this time looking up Exchange Street:





Volunteer Around Portland - November 2010

Welcome to this installment of  Volunteer Around Portland, a somewhat regular series that takes a quick look at some volunteer opportunities in the Greater Portland area. Here are some that caught my eye:

LearningWorks After-school Volunteer - Link - LearningWorks is a great organization that serves young children, at-risk youth, and low-income families in Androscoggin, York, and Cumberland counties. They are looking for volunteers to work with schoolchildren in their branch on Brackett Street. 

Volunteer Walking Tour Guides - Link - Greater Portland Landmarks is accepting volunteers to provide tours in the summer and fall seasons in the following areas: Homes of Portland's Golden Age (State Street and High Street), Old Port Tour, East End/Munjoy Hill Neighborhood. 

Senior Housing Community Volunteers - Link - Seventy-Five State Street is a vibrant community for the elderly in downtown Portland and they would be happy to have a few new volunteers to assist with various activities. 

Polar Express Help - Link - The holidays are fast approaching. This annual event at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad is looking for storytellers, actors, food service help, gift shop assistance, decoration, technical assistants, and more.

And as always, check out idealist.org, volunterrmaine.org, or just do a Google search for volunteer opportunities.

Seasons of Portland: May Street

A Summer/Winter combination of May Street in the West End. Winter photo from January 2015 and summer photo from August 2020.

Park & Congress, Summer/Winter

A summer/winter split view of the corner of Congress St. and Park St.

Seasons of Portland: Park Street Doors

A summer/winter mashup from a scenic stretch of Park Street. The winter photo is from January 2015 and the summer photo is from today.

Seasons of Portland: Maine Medical Center

A multi-season view towards Maine Medical Center campus in the West End:

A Tree for All Seasons

A wintertime view of the copper beech tree in the courtyard of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke on State Street:

Turn the Corner

This often-photographed sign indicates the intersection of Winter and Spring Streets in the West End. Interestingly, a page on the nearby Portland Club's website tells us that these streets names are not related to the seasons. Instead, Spring Street is named for "a path leading to the town spring, which was located up in the West End" and Winter Street "immortalizes one of the town’s earliest settlers, John Winter."

Sunset at Forest

We've gotten some dramatic sunsets lately, perhaps it's due to the changing of the seasons and the cooler temperatures at night (just a guess). This one is from where Forest Avenue meets Congress Street.

Spring on State Street

It still surprises me how quickly the seasons can change. Seems like just yesterday these trees were bare.