Down East (magazine)

Down East
EditorWill Grunewald
Former editorsBrian Kevin, Kathleen Fleury, Paul Doiron, D. W. Kuhnert, Davis Thomas, Duane Doolittle
CategoriesRegional magazine
FrequencyMonthly
PublisherBob Fernald
Total circulation
(June 2019)		90,000[1]
FounderDuane Doolittle
Founded1954
CompanyDown East Enterprise
CountryUSA
Based inCamden, Maine
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.downeast.com
ISSN0012-5776
OCLC1683246

Down East: The Magazine of Maine is the principal general interest monthly magazine covering the U.S. state of Maine.[2] It is based in Rockport, Maine, with a second office in Yarmouth, Maine.[3] It covers a range of topics including travel, food, the arts, the environment, politics, business, and lifestyle in the state of Maine.

Down East was founded in 1954 by Duane Doolittle and loosely modeled on The New Yorker.[4] Herbert Jacob Seligman wrote for it in the 1950s including an entry on Marsden Hartley.[5]

Down East enjoys the largest paid circulation of any publication in the state, peaking at more than 80,000 during the summer,[6] with 53% of its readership aged 55 and above, 38% aged 35–54, and 9% 18–34. Global readership exceeds 380,000.[7] It is Maine's only audited and verified magazine. The magazine is published twelve times a year by its parent company, Down East Enterprise, Inc., which also publishes Shooting Sportsman magazine.[8] In 2013, Down East Enterprise sold a book publishing arm to Rowman & Littlefield.[9]

In 2013, Kathleen Fleury became the first woman to serve as editor in chief, a position she held until 2018.[10][11] Author Paul Doiron is a former editor in chief. Will Grunewald is the current editor in chief and Bob Fernald is President, CEO, and Publisher.[12] Martha Stewart and Sam Sifton have served as guest editors.[13][14]

Down East Magazine and Vermont Life Magazine together founded the International Regional Magazine Association in 1960.[15] The magazine is a member of the International Regional Magazine Association, the City and Regional Magazine Association, and the Circulation Verification Council.

Down East compiles an annual "Best of Maine" list, making recommendations on where to "eat, drink, shop, stay, and unwind" in the state.[16]

Down East Marketplace

The 1,700-square-foot Down East Marketplace, complete with an "Experience Maine" interactive kiosk and Down East–branded TV programming about Maine, is located in the Portland Jetport, selling magazines, books, food, clothing, travel accessories, and gifts.[17]

Lobster roll competition

The magazine held the inaugural Down East Lobster Roll Festival in July 2017 in Portland, Maine, with a central focus of selecting the best lobster roll. The Winner of the "World's Best Lobster Roll" went to Freshies Lobster in Park City, Utah. The restaurant uses lobster meat and New England–style buns flown in from Maine.[18] BeetleCat, of Atlanta, Georgia, took top honors in 2018.[19]

Maine's "70 Over 70"

In November 2021, Down East compiled a list of Maine's "70 Over 70," highlighting "folks who've broken barriers, who are considered heroes or legends in their communities, who've shown extraordinary dedication to their passions and plunged into new ones at an age when many of us are slowing down."[20] One example is Virginia Oliver, a 101-year-old resident of Rockland, Maine who has been lobstering for more than nine decades.[21][22]

Maine Homes by Down East

Maine Homes by Down East was a quarterly publication aimed at Maine homeowners and those interested in the Maine real estate market.[23][24] It ceased publication in fall 2023.[25] Maine Homes featured stories about Maine architecture, landscaping, interior design, and other topics.[26][27] It began in 1994 with the website MaineHomes.com.[28] In 2018, the magazine launched the Maine Homes Design Awards competition, showcasing Maine amateurs and professionals who create "world-class homes all over the state."[29][30]

Sarah Stebbins, a native of Cousins Island, Maine, served as editor of the publication.[31] Ben Williamson was the magazine's photography director.[32]

References

  1. ^ "Advertise with Down East: FAQs". Down East Enterprise. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  2. ^ Ulrich's Periodical Directory
  3. ^ "Down East Enterprise puts longtime Rockport home on market". PenBay Pilot. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  4. ^ "Our Company". Down East. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
  5. ^ "Annual Report of the American Historical Association". 1959.
  6. ^ "Down East Magazine - Rockport, ME". Citymag.org. Retrieved 2019-06-17.
  7. ^ "Advertise with Down East". Down East. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
  8. ^ "Newcastle Resident Erica Berman Featured in Maine Homes". The Lincoln County News. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  9. ^ "Rowman & Littlefield Buys Down East Book Assets". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
  10. ^ "Down East magazine taps Maine native as first female editor-in-chief". BDN. 2013-09-18. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
  11. ^ "Down East Magazine names Brian Kevin Editor in Chief". PenBay Pilot. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
  12. ^ "Down East Magazine names Brian Kevin Editor in Chief". PenBay Pilot. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  13. ^ "The Martha Stewart Blog : Blog Archive : Serving as Guest Editor for Down East, the Magazine of Maine". www.themarthablog.com. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
  14. ^ Sifton, Sam (2019-03-31). "What to Cook This Week". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-06-18.
  15. ^ "IRMA". Regional Magazines. Archived from the original on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
  16. ^ "Down East magazine celebrates Best of Maine". newscentermaine.com. August 19, 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  17. ^ "Brand Detail". Paradies. Archived from the original on 2013-10-19. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
  18. ^ Arnett, Dugan (2017-07-11). "Utah winners of Best Lobster Roll competition didn't think they'd stand a chance". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
  19. ^ "Down East Magazine Announces the Winner of the 'World's Best Lobster Roll' Competition!" (Press release). Down East Enterprise. Retrieved 2019-06-18 – via PR Newswire.
  20. ^ "From Down East Magazine, 70 people who are doing extraordinary things — and they're all over 70". newscentermaine.com. October 18, 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  21. ^ "101-year-old Mainer woman still lobstering". newscentermaine.com. July 15, 2021. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  22. ^ "November 2021 - 70 Over 70 Special Issue". Down East Magazine. 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  23. ^ "Maine Homes by Down East magazine wins national award". Knox County VillageSoup. 2019-05-31. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  24. ^ "Funky Birchwood Condo in Maine Homes by Down East". Mountainside Real Estate. 2020-03-01. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  25. ^ "Maine Homes by Down East Magazine | Down East Shop".
  26. ^ "Central Maine business briefs". Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel. 2017-01-21. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  27. ^ "Meet Maine's Old-House Hero". Maine Homes by Down East. 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  28. ^ "Introducing Maine Homes by Down East Magazine". Maine Homes by Down East. 2018-05-23. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  29. ^ "Down East launches Maine Homes Design Awards". Knox County VillageSoup. 2018-04-10. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  30. ^ "2021 Maine Homes Design Awards: Judged Winners". Maine Homes by Down East. 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  31. ^ Gilliam, Shawn (2021-11-12). "Home & Design | 2021 RAVE Awards". Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  32. ^ "New hires across Maine". Press Herald. 2016-10-21. Retrieved 2022-02-03.