"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 2021
70 Over 70: Giving Peace a Chance, W. G.
70 Over 70: Harboring Ambition, Genevieve Morgan
70 Over 70: Home is Where the Heart is, Caitlin Gilmet
70 Over 70: In Good Faith, B. K.
70 Over 70: Katahdin Peaked His Interest, Joel Crabtree
70 Over 70: Lady of the Lake, Amber Kapiloff
70 Over 70: Lobstering Oliver Life, Brian Kevin
70 Over 70: Love at First Light, Monica Wood
70 Over 70: Making his Peace, B. K.
70 Over 70: Many Years of Beers, Lyn Mikel Brown
70 Over 70: Millking It For All It's Worth, Ron Joseph
70 Over 70: Peachy Keen, Kaitlyn Schwalje
70 Over 70: Plenty Left in the Tank, Catie Joyce-Bulay
70 Over 70: Remembering Her Roots, J. E.
70 Over 70: Senior Portraits, B. K.
70 Over 70: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (and Many Other Clothes), J. C.
70 Over 70: Still Unstill, E. A. B.
70 Over 70: Tales from the Trail, Sarah Stebbins
70 Over 70: The River Runner, Ann Pollard Ranco
70 Over 70: Triple Threat, M. B.
70 Over 70: Valley Girl, B. K.
70 Over 70: Walking the Walk, W. G.
70 Over 70: Zen Master, Suzanne Rico
All Jazzed Up, W. G.
A Moveable Feast, Joel Crabtree
Artist's Retreat, Aurelia C. Scott
A Whole Brunch of Good Ideas, Will Grunewald
Back to the Start, Will Grunewald
Barn Storm, Benjamin Williamson, photographer and Brian Kevin
Carrying the Load, Will Grunewald
Catching Fish is the Easy Part, Susan Conley
Changing Gear, Brian Kevin
Coming of Age, Will Grunewald
Coming up Roses, Virginia M. Wright
Crumbing to America, W. G.
Exit Interview: Suzette McAvoy, Will Grunewald
False-Flag Operation, Adrienne Perron
Fest-Case Scenario, Brian Kevin
Fever Pitch, Jaed Coffin
Fish Like a Mainer, Down East staff writers
Fish Like a Mainer: Beware the Frankenfish, Ted Williams
Fish Like a Mainer: Come Fly with Me, Ronald Joseph and Jada Fitch [illustrations]
Fish Like a Mainer: Diagnosis: Chronic Stripermania, Mitchell Breton
Fish Like a Mainer: Fishing With the Current, James Joiner
Fish Like a Mainer: Five Maine Fishing Experiences to Have Before you Die, Brian Kevin
Fish Like a Mainer: Know Your Native Maine Fish, Ted Williams
Fish Like a Mainer: Making Room on the River, Adrienne Perron
Fish Like a Mainer: One Man's Rough Fish, Jaed Coffin
Fish Like a Mainer: Tuna Tradition, Edgar Allen Beem
Food and Drink: Chickens, Veggies, and... Focaccia, Will Grunewald