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 2005

"What's in a Picture?" piece on the aftereffects of Hurricane Edna in 1954 on a, Joshua F. Moore

Submissions from 2004

Accounts of several strange attacks by wild animals on Mainers, including a moos, Roberta Scruggs

A list of microbreweries and brew pubs in Maine, with descriptions, including: F

A list of ski areas and apres-ski spots in Maine.

"Along the Waterfront" piece about administrative changes being made at the Land, James P. Brown

A look at Maine's most valuable paintings; from "Confidences," by Pierre-August, Edgar Allen Beem

A look at nine owner-operated shops. Maine House Furnishings in Abbot, owned by

A look at the "Air Line," Maine's inland road to Calais and Canada, which has be

A lyrical tribute to Jack Dudley, who conveyed his great love and knowledge of P, Susan Hand Shetterly

An account by Elizabeth Peavey of a kayak tour called the "Friday Night Phosphor, Elizabeth Peavey

An account of a visit to the Moosehead Lake region and a hike up Mount Kineo, wh, Elizabeth Peavey

An article on a Pleasant Lake cottage on the site of a former girl's camp in Oti, Meadow Rue Merrill

An article on artist Andrew Winter (1893-1958), a native of Estonia who lived wi, Edgar Allen Beem

An article on a virtually indestructible plant called Japanese knotweed, which M, Nancy Comiskey

An article on Bayside, an historic enclave of Victorian shoreside cottages off R, Bruce Snider

An article on Big Eddy Campground on the West Branch of the Penobscot River, 15, Andrew Vietze

An article on Bill and Diane Martin of Belgrade, whose home, an unfinished windm, Meadow Rue Merrill

An article on Cheryl Michaelsen and Mike LaPosta's Berry Manor Inn in Rockland,, Andrew Vietze

An article on community-supported agriculture (CSA), by which a farmer sells wee, Patrick Morris

An article on Ed Blake, 52, of Union, who carries on a wood-cutting tradition wi, Frank Andrews

An article on Grey Havens Inn in Georgetown, a classic coastal hotel. It was or, Christine Carson

An article on Harbor Fish Market, a local fixture since 1860. The market is run, Virginia Wright

An article on harness racing in Maine, in the midst of a public controversy over, Jeff Clark

An article on Hidden Gardens, a family-run nursery in Searsport founded by Carla, Richard Grant

An article on hiring the right Maine architect, with details on how an architect, James Schwartz

An article on how nationally recognized interior designer George Snead has rejuv, Meadow Rue Merrill

An article on how the author, an amateur runner, ran Cape Elizabeth's Beach to B, Michaela Cavallaro

An article on Jody Johnstone, 38, of Swanville, whose earth-toned pottery has th, Stacey Chase

An article on legendary landscape architect Beatrix Farrand of Bar Harbor and Ne, Jane Lamb

An article on Maine's prestigious Falmouth Foreside neighborhood, which touches, Virginia Wright

An article on mythical characters associated with Maine, including: Bert of "Ber, Paul Doiron

An article on rhubarb, which for many Mainers is the standard "spring tonic." D, Ken Textor

An article on the 137 volunteers who comprise the Casco Bay Flotilla of the U. S, Monica Wood

An article on the $6.6 million Downeast Heritage Center which opens this month i, Patrick McManus

An article on the Bangor Symphony Orchestra and conductor Xiao-Lu Li, an interna, Brian Fiske

An article on the best methods for having a lawn in Maine that greens early, wit, Rebecca Martin Evarts

An article on The Cat, the fastest car ferry in North America. It has transform, Joshua F. Moore

An article on the common, orange daylily, which is ubiquitous and hardy in Maine, Richard Grant

An article on the Down East Environmental Award, with brief profiles of recipien, Jeff Clark and Edgar Allen Beem

An article on the growing problem of obesity in Maine, which has one of the high, Jeff Clark

An article on the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, which has been housed in a for, Edgar Allen Beem

An article on the Maine Iris Show, held each June in Auburn, and sponsored by a, Richard Grant

An article on the Maine Memory Network (www.mainememory.net), a free online digi, Joshua F. Moore

An article on "the Maine way of death," including a look at Peter Neal, a third-, Elizabeth Peavey

An article on the native red squirrel, which can be hunted every day of the year, John N. Cole

An article on the new popularity of Saco, a mini-metropolis with a small-town fe, Jeff Clark

An article on the "Queen Mary 2," the newest, largest, most expensive passenger, Joshua F. Moore

An article on the sole year-round residents of Northeast Carry, Shirley and Ed R, Elizabeth Peavey

An article on the three-part, weathered-shingle compound designed by Conary Isla, Joshua F. Moore

An article on the town of Winthrop, which was once called Pond Town Plantation b, Andrew Vietze