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 2007

"What's in a Picture?" piece on the origins of the national mudbowl championship, Joshua F. Moore

"What's in a Picture?" piece on the schooner "Onward," ablaze in Rockport Harbor, Joshua F. Moore

"What's in a Picture?" piece on the steamship "Katahdin," pride of the Bangor-to, Joshua F. Moore

William Miller, a New York farmer who predicted the date of the Second Coming as, Edgar Allen Beem

Submissions from 2006

Academics Andrew and Donna Sorensen summer in a rustic but stylish 120-year-old, Tom Groening

A chronological guide to "The Maine Print Project: Celebrating 200 Years of Prin

A dedicated group called the Maine Troop Greeters has gathered almost every day, Joshua F. Moore

A description of six bicycle rides in Acadia, including a ride with the best fal, Melissa Kim

A humorous article by Al Diamon, who lives near the Canadian border, on the "gre, Al Diamon

A husband and wife team built their dream house on the footprint of a small cott, Rebecca Martin Evarts

A listing of Maine seafood shippers; Maine specialties such as whoopie pies; pic

A look at the new Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory, which opens for moto

A modern home in Islesboro, designed by Robin Elmslie Osler for a Philadelphia c, Michaela Cavallaro

An account by Elizabeth Peavey of a canoe trip to Lake Sysladobsis in the Grand, Elizabeth Peavey

An article on father and son photographers Paul, 73, and John Paul Caponigro, 40, Rebecca Martin Evarts

An article on legal and practical issues related to contractors in Maine, with t, Jeff Clark

An article on Phippsburg, one of Maine's earliest settlements and home to the po, Colin Woodard

An article on photographer Lewis Wickes Hine of Wisconsin, who came to Maine in, Virginia Wright

An article on Portland designer and North Haven native Angela Adams, 40, who wit, Virginia Wright

An article on Portland's architecturally distinctive West End, home to 70 John C, Elizabeth Peavey

An article on Portland's Fore Street Restaurant, co-owned by executive chef Sam, Michael. Sanders

An article on Rockport Marine, a world-renowned builder of wooden ships, owned, Aaron Porter

An article on sports teams at Maine's three island schools--Vinalhaven, North Ha, Rob Sneddon

An article on the alewife runs in Patten Stream, which have dropped off precipit, Susan Hand Shetterly

An article on the changing identity of Kittery, a town billed as the "Gateway to, Abby. Zimet

An article on the recently opened Hollywood Slots, owned by Pennsylvania-based P, Wayne Curtis

An in-depth article on development on Portland's East End, sparked by Ocean Gate, Edgar Allen Beem

An in-depth look at what lies beneath Sebago Lake, including fishing boats, tool, Rob Sneddon

An interview with controversial Portland native and Millinocket rafting guide tu, Joshua F. Moore

An "ultimate winter survival guide" for Mainers, with tips on driving, staying w

A preview of antique shows and auctions in Maine

Article on how Richard Penfold of Stonington Sea Products is making finnan haddi, Ken Textor

"Arts Dispatches" piece reporting that poet Jeffrey Thomson, assistant professor

A sampling of photos from a new exhibit at the Portland Museum of Art, entitled

A special concert program for the North Atlantic Blues Festival, which will be h

A special section, "Retiring & Relocating to Maine," with a complete tour of the

"Bareboating," chartering a yacht without a captain or crew, is becoming an incr, Joshua F. Moore

Brunswick residents, led by the Local Redevelopment Authority, are sharing their, Virginia Wright

Camden-based architect John Morris designed a "lodge-style" house on a midcoast, Andrew Vietze

Celebrities like John Travolta, Kelly Preston, and Kirstie Alley are drawn to th, Virginia Wright

Cindy Tibbetts, 49, and her husband, Brian Tibbetts, run Hummingbird Farm in Tur, Rebecca Martin Evarts

Claire Ackroyd, a landscape designer in Orono, loves Maine's native plants. In, Kim Ridley

"Dining Down East" piece on Augusta's Beale Street Barbeque, owned by Augusta na, Andrew Vietze

"Dining Down East" piece on Chicky's Fine Diner in Westbrook, owned by Chicky St, Michaela Cavallaro

"Dining Down East" piece on Conundrum Wine Bistro in Freeport, owned by Vince Mi, Michaela. Cavallaro

"Dining Down East" piece on the Cafe at Pat's Meat Market in Portland, co-owned, Virginia Wright

"Dining" piece on Valerie Jean's: An American Bistro, in Milo. The restaurant w

"Down East Bookshelf" piece on "More Than Petticoats: Remarkable Maine Women," b, Agnes Bushnell

"Down East Bookshelf" piece on "Temple Stream" by college professor Bill Roorbac, Kurtis. Clements

"Down East Bookshelf" piece on the "Home Repair Is Homicide" mystery series by E, Rosemary Herbert