"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 2022
Flipping Good, W. G.
Food and Drink: A Very Buona Notte, Brian Kevin
Food and Drink: Back on Top, W. G.
Food and Drink: Barn Again, Catie Joyce-Bulay
Food and Drink: Bringing the Table to the Farm, W. G.
Food and Drink: Claws and Effect, W. G.
Food and Drink: Clear Alternative, Brian Kevin
Food and Drink: Cooking: Square Meals, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Did Shrimp Lose the Squid Game?, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Eating Their Words, W. G.
Food and Drink: Fill 'Er Up, Jesse Ellison
Food and Drink: Fish/Tacos, W. G.
Food and Drink: Island Vibes, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Lighthouse Keepers, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Pure and Simple, Brian Kevin
Food and Drink: Red, White, and Brrrr, Catie Joyce-Bulay
Food and Drink: Season's Eatings, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Shoot for the Stars, Catie Joyce-Bulay
Food and Drink: Smooth Move, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Something Knish-y Going On, Will Grunewald
Food and Drink: Sour Patch Kids, Katy Kelleher
Food and Drink: the Maine Attraction, W. G.
Food & Drink: Gorham is Getting Crumby, Catie Joyce-Bulay
Food & Drink: Not So Self-Evident, Jesse Ellison
Food & Drink: The Old College Try, Catie Joyce-Bulay
Food & Drink: When Life Gives You Lemons... Make Sausages, Will Grunewald
Funny Business, Joel Crabtree
Ghost Stories, Down East staff writers
Good Things From Maine: Bowl-ing League, Monique Brouillette
Good Things from Maine: Burn, Baby, Burn, Sara Anne Donnelly
Good Things From Maine: Call of the Wild, Jaed Coffin
Good Things from Maine: Chair-ity Event, Adrienne Perron
Good Things From Maine: Crafting a Farewell, A. P.
Good Things From Maine: Dream Weaver, Caleb Jagoda
Good Things From Maine: Fine Prints, Addie Best and Caleb Jagoda ["as told to']
Good Things From Maine: Glass Menagerie, A. P.
Good Things From Maine: Hello, Goodbye, A. P.
Good Things from Maine: It's All their Vault, Adrienne Perron
Good Things from Maine: Looks Good on Paper, Sara Anne Donnelly
Good Things from Maine: Main Street is Your Oyster, Adrienne Perron
Good Things From Maine: Oud of This World, Monique Brouillette and Jawad Al Fatlawi
Good Things from Maine: Page Numbers, Alexandra Hall
Good Things From Maine: Pulling the Strings, Jesse Ellison
Good Things From Maine: Sewing Change, Adrienne Perron
Good Things From Maine: Shamash Showpiece, Adrienne Perron
Good Things from Maine: Smooth Selling, Alexandra Hall
Good Things from Maine: That's Dope!, Adrienne Perron
Good Things From Maine: Trash to Treasure, Tina Fischer
Good Things From Maine: Up to her Neckie, Down East staff writers
Grainy Picture, Joel Crabtree