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.

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Submissions from 2011

Article on safety concerns about smart meters, wireless meter reading systems th, Edgar Allen Beem

A special, in-depth report on wind power in Maine, including views for and again, Robert Kimber, Virginia M. Wright, and Joshua Moore

A special report marking the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War and, Colin Woodward

A thirty-year resident of Portland and her husband "visit" the city as sightseer, Elizabeth Peavey

At the Charleston Correctional Facility, a minimum-security prison between Bango, Susan Hand Shetterly

"Bar Harbor: Your Way" article that highlights local activities, hotels, and des, Kathleen Wright Fleury and M Virginia

"Best of Maine 2011," with readers' and editors' recommendations for the best pl, of Down East Editors

Completed in 2010 after four years of work, "The Ultimate Maine Cottage", with a, Joshua F. Moore

Cornish has transformed from a farming and mill community into a charming destin, Virginia M. Wright

Description of the author's trips to view petroglyphs near Grand Lake Stream and, Michael D. Burke

Descriptions of 12 of Maine's best lakes for swimming: Cross Lake in Square Lake, Emily Glatz Fontaine

Donn Fendler, author of the classic book, Lost on a Mountain in Maine, has teame, Andrew Vietze

"Fall Flavors" special section with cookbook excerpts including recipes, a list, of Down East Editors

Feature on the village of Cutler, a Washington county community with strong ties, Virginia M. Wright

For the past fourteen years, David and Alison Berry and their "vegetable boat" h, Susan Sherrill Axelrod

Founded in Montville in 1950, the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts has become, Kim Ridley

Gyotaku, a Japanese fish printing technique, originally utilized by nineteenth c, Cynthia Anderson

History of Edgecomb Potters, founded in 1976 by Richard and Christine Hilton. De, Virginia M. Wright

"Home & Garden 2011" annual guide section that includes articles about planning, of Down East Editors

"How to" article about creating a showcase garden. Includes an interview with Ro, Aurelia C. Scott

"How to Piece" on how to create a community garden. Includes an interview with M, Aurelia C. Scott

Illustrations and descriptions of the "10 birds Mainers love best", created thro, Allison Wells Childs and Jeffrey

"Inside Maine" dining piece on Emilitsa, a Greek restaurant in Portland owned by, Michaela Cavallaro

"Inside Maine" piece about seven people who have created businesses and careers, Virginia M. Wright

"Inside Maine" piece on Petite Jacqueline, a new bistro on Portland's Longfellow, Michaela Cavallaro

Interview with Martha Stewart that highlights the impact of her promotion of sma, John Golden

Maine has been a pioneer in environmental studies since the late 1960s, a niche, Beth Brosnan

Mount Vernon is a "quirky" and "eclectic" place long appreciated by a variety of, Virginia M. Wright

Photographer David McLain was on assignment for National Geographic in Greenland, Andrew Vietze

Portland's Abyssinian Meeting House, built by a group of free black citizens in, Monica Wood

Profile of Eric Hopkins, 60, well-known painter and glass artist with deep roots, Carl Little

Profile of Luke Seitz of Falmouth, a seventeen-year-old birder and self-taught a, Kim Ridley

Profiles of Clayton and Hazel Sinclair, the operators of Rock Rest, a home-based, Deborah McDermott

Rockport's downtown business area and cultural organizations have experienced a, Joshua F. Moore

Special "On the Water" section with pieces on windjammers in Camden Harbor; the, of Down East Editors

Special section, "Bangor: A City Reborn", with articles about the new waterfront, of Down East Editors

Special section, "Lewiston-Auburn: Maine's Surprising Twin Cities", with article, of Down East Editors

Special section, "Maine for the Holidays", with articles about Maine-based gift, of Down East Editors

Special section, "One More Drive", with articles about five scenic late fall dri, of Down East Editors

Special section, "Retiring in Maine," with information on 20 reasons to make the, of Down East Editors

Special supplement, "Artful Ogunquit", traces Ogunquit's transition from a ninet, Edgar Allen Beem

Temple Heights Spiritualist Camp in Northport is an affiliate of the National Sp, Charlotte Albright

The annual Fireman's Race is held at Sunday River to fund Maine Handicapped Skii, Joshua F. Moore

The author describes the sights, tastes, and sounds experienced during a tour of, Michael D. Burke

The Belfast Curling Club's ice house, the only one in Maine, is open nightly for, Suzanne Rico

The family-owned Renys discount department store chain, founded in 1949 and cur, Virginia M. Wright

The Maine pulp and paper industry is undergoing a low-key but generalized reviva, Cynthia Anderson

The new Rangeley Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum in Oquossoc was established by, Joshua F. Moore

"The Talk of Maine" piece about Marine Resources Commissoner Norman Olsen's resi, Colin Woodard

"The Talk of Maine" piece about Turner-based egg producer, Austin "Jack" DeCoste, Colin Woodward