"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 2004
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
An article on the warblers that return to Mount Desert Island each spring and th, Elizabeth Peavey
An article on Van Reid of Edgecomb, author of the critically acclaimed Moosepath, Virginia Wright
An article profiling five Registered Maine Guides, with descriptions of their sp, Andrew Vietze
A preview of a major exhibit of diplomatic treasures, "Becoming a Nation: Americ
A primer on the various people who patrol the Maine woods, including game warden, Powell Boyer
Article on Southeast Asian immigrants and the challenges they face adapting to l, Virginia Wright
Article on the debate over the proposed Fairwinds liquefied natural gas (LNG) te, Jeff Clark
Article on the popularity of snowshoeing, with comparisons of the different vari, Roberta Scruggs
Article on the sport of ice racing, in which about two dozen racers, each drivin, Joshua F. Moore
Article on transracial adoptions, which are altering Maine's racial and ethnic m, Michaela Cavallaro
A sense of community pervades Vinalhaven Island, which is 15 miles off the coast, Christine Parrish
A short article on the impressive new veteran's cemetery and memorial in Augusta
"As I See It" piece by Bath native Elizabeth Peavey, describing her youthful des, Elizabeth Peavey
"As I See It" piece by Richard Ford, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author turned East, Richard Ford
"As I See It" piece on Maine's license plate slogan, "Vacationland," which has a, David Morine
David Arnold and Bob Johnson built a four-wheeled contraption that they rode on, David Arnold
Despite rounds of military cutbacks, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey Island, Jeff Clark