"The goal of Down East has always been to hold a mirror up to Maine — its storied past and lively present — and to celebrate its flinty, independent character and unhurried way of life. As Maine has changed with the times, however, so has Down East. Today the state has come to embrace its future as well as its past. Accordingly, the magazine now focuses more on contemporary Maine life and what the future might bring and less on historical background and quaint rusticity. Booming circulation and advertising gains demonstrate the wisdom of this editorial shift."
Portland Public Library's collection of Down East is complete, and begins with the first issue, August 1954. The hard copies are available in the Portland Room.
Submissions from 2023
101 Reasons to Love Summer in Maine, Hadley Gibson
11 Maine Residencies Where the Arts Thrive, Adrienne Perron
A Quartet at the Bridge, Douglas Rooks
A Spectacle of Abundance, Brian Kevin
Blasts from the Past, Will Grunewald, Bridget Burns, Brian Kevin, Adrienne Perron, Virginia M. Wright, Joe Ricchio, Jesse Ellison, Joyce Kryszak, Joel Crabtree, and W. G.
Buckwheat Revival, Virginia Wright
Do Go Chasing Waterfalls, Adrienne Perron, Brian Kevin, and Claire Baldwin (illustrations)
Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Heating with Wood but Didn't Know Who to Ask, Katy Kelleher
Food and Drink: A Bitters Taste, Joel Crabtree
Food and Drink: A Classic, Re-inn-visioned, Brian Kevin
Food and Drink: A Garden-Variety Bakery, Kate McCarty
Food and Drink: Around the World in One Little Restaurant, Joel Crabtree
Food and Drink: Beating the Heat, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Be Her Guest, Teresa Versteeg
Food and Drink: Bye, Bye Mixologist Guy?, W. G.
Food and Drink: Elevated Fare, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Fresh From the Vault, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Full of Beans, Sarah Stebbins
Food and Drink: Home Brewed, W. G.
Food and Drink: Home Cooking, Jesse Ellison
Food and Drink: How Green Was My Shedder?, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Miracle on Ocean Street, Michaela Cavallaro
Food and Drink: Move Over, Malts, W. G.
Food and Drink: Off-Beet Idea, Katy Kelleher
Food and Drink: Pizza alla Peaks, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Potentially Potent Potables, Katy Kelleher
Food and Drink: Quite a Pear, Joel Crabtree
Food and Drink: Rolling Again, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Romancing the Scone, Virginia M. Wright
Food and Drink: Thai That Binds, Michaela Cavallaro
Food and Drink: The Smør the Merrier, Kate McCarty
Food and Drink: Tip-Top Shape, W. G.
Food and Drink: What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love, and Waffle Branding?, Brian Kevin
Food and Drink: 'Wich Craft, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: World of Good, V. M.
Food and Drink: Wrap Session, Will Grunewald
Food & Drink: Spirit of Change, Will Grunewald
Good Things From Maine: A Full-Circle Knitting Circle, A. P.
Good Things From Maine: All Dolled Up, Sara Anne Donnelly ["as told to"]
Good Things From Maine: All Weld and Good, Hadley Gibson
Good Things From Maine: Animal Crossing, A. P.
Good Things From Maine: Armchair Expert, Adrienne Perron
Good Things From Maine: Bangor's Retro Renaissance?, A. P.
Good Things From Maine: Cool Trends, Adrienne Perron
Good Things From Maine: Draught Craft, A. P.
Good Things From Maine: Everything is Ayumi-Nated, A. P.
Good Things From Maine: Giving it his Vest Shot, Adrienne Perron
Good Things from Maine: Lady of the Lids, Ann Pollard Ranco
Good Things From Maine: Magic Mushrooms, Becca Abramson
Good Things From Maine: Meet Your Maker, A. P.