Maine News Index - Down East Magazine

Down East magazine, has been publishing since August 1954, and continues as one of Maine's most prominent monthly magazines. Their web site's history page provides the following description:

"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 2018 2018

Sea of the Living Dead, Virginia M. Wright

Sheared Experience: On her farm in Hollis, photographer Nina Fuller makes a near-daily practice out of capturing the serene, enigmatic animals that have unexpectedly taken over her life, Brian Kevin

Stayin' Alive: At Bubba's Sulky Lounge, Est. 1961, kitsch is king, retro is respected, and celebration is sacred. Arielle Greenberg pays tribute to Maine's wildest, most beloved dive, Arielle Greenberg

Summer in Winter, Virginia M. Wright

Sweet, Fleeting Season, Virginia M. Wright and Michael D. Wilson Photographer

Talk of Maine; Gridlocked: Will the state's latest plan for Wiscasset solve a traffic nightmare or ruin a town?, Edgar Allen Beem

The Great Maine Scavenger Hunt 2018: 40 tasks, maybe 2,000 road miles, at least a couple of boats, one unforgettable summer. Are you up for it?, Joel Crabtree, Will Grunewald, Brian Kevin, Frances Killea, Sarah Stebbins, Virginia M. Wright, and Angela Keoghan Illustrator

Tobey's Grocery, South China, Ryan McCaskey and Michael D. Wilson Photographer

Under Our Skin, Brian Kevin and Doug Panton Illustrator

Viewpoint; Paul and Me, Ron Currie

Vintage Fix: (Maine) Antiques Roadshow, Sarah Stebbins

Vintage Road Tour, Virginia M. Wright

Way Fab Prefabs: In their quest for affordable, energy-efficient homes, some Mainers are thinking outside the site-built box, Sarah Stebbins, Virginia M. Wright, and Brian Kevin

Welcome to the Genus, Will Grunewald

What's in a Picture?, Joel Crabtree

Whoa Tannenbaum!, Willy Blackmore

Your Maine Mountain Trail Guide: Brought to You by the Badass Hikers of the Alpine Women Collective, Lindsey Moran and Cait Bourgault Photographer

Submissions from 2017 2017

10 Big Cheeses, Martha Stewart, guest editor; Virginia M. Wright, senior editor; and Heidi Klingelhofer

10 Most Iconic Maine Photos of All Time, Brian Kevin, Jesse Ellison, Ben Williamson, Kathleen Fleury, Angela Waldron, Libby Bischof, Virginia M. Wright, and Rob Sneddon

2017 Down East Reader Photo Contest, Down East staff writers; Steven Perlmutter, photographer; Colleen Phaedra Wilson, photographer; Mike Czosnek, photographer; Tom Olson, photographer; Mike Cullivan, photographer; Michele Barker, photographer; Laura Zamfirescu, photographer; Jeannie Holden, photographer; Anne Stauffer, photographer; and Kevin Job, photographer

20th Anniversary of Phish Concert, Will Grunewald

Among the Puffins, Down East staff writers

A Moving Essay, Kathleen Fleury

A Place of Grace: It's not in the mountains. It's not on the coast. But something about friendly little Pittsfield perfectly evokes the Maine community ethic. (Also, ballerinas!), Virginia Wright and Greta Rybus Photographer

A Slice of Culture, Virginia M. Wright and Adam Detour, photographer

Aw, Shucks! Chocolate truffles and heart-shaped candies are for amateurs- true romantics know that oysters make the best Valentine's Day treat.

Bad Proms, Tragi-Coms, and More: It's a quiet season for theater, but curtains are up this month on four gripping productions, with Maine and Maine writers taking center stage, Will Grunewald

Beacon of Welcome: For 20 years, Cape Elizabeth's Beach to Beacon 10K road race has attracted the world's most elite runners, with locals opening their homes to host them, Tristan Spinski and Tristan Spinski Photographer

Best of Maine 2017

Best of Maine 2017, Editorial staff writers

Best Places to Live in Maine, Down East staff writers; Sue Ann Hodges, photographer; and Susan Cole Kelly, photographer

Big Al’s is Huge!!!, Ron Currie and Michael D. Wilson, photographer