Down East (magazine) explained

Down East
Editor:Will Grunewald
Previous Editor:Brian Kevin, Kathleen Fleury, Paul Doiron, D. W. Kuhnert, Davis Thomas, Duane Doolittle
Category:Regional magazine
Frequency:Monthly
Total Circulation:90,000[1]
Circulation Year:June 2019
Publisher:Bob Fernald
Founder:Duane Doolittle
Founded:1954
Company:Down East Enterprise
Country:USA
Based:Camden, Maine
Language:English
Issn:0012-5776
Oclc:1683246

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Advertise with Down East: FAQs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240703104551/https://downeast.com/advertise/ . 3 July 2024 . Down East Enterprise . 26 July 2024.
  2. [Ulrich's Periodical Directory]
  3. Web site: Down East Enterprise puts longtime Rockport home on market. 2021-12-27. PenBay Pilot. en.
  4. Web site: Our Company. Down East. en-US. 2019-06-18.
  5. Web site: Annual Report of the American Historical Association. 1959.
  6. Web site: Down East Magazine - Rockport, ME. Citymag.org. 2019-06-17.
  7. Web site: Advertise with Down East. Down East. en-US. 2019-06-18.
  8. Web site: 2021-12-14. Newcastle Resident Erica Berman Featured in Maine Homes. 2021-12-21. The Lincoln County News. en-US.
  9. Web site: Rowman & Littlefield Buys Down East Book Assets . PublishersWeekly.com . 2014-08-22 .
  10. News: Down East magazine taps Maine native as first female editor-in-chief. BDN. 2013-09-18 . 2013-11-02.
  11. Web site: Down East Magazine names Brian Kevin Editor in Chief. PenBay Pilot. 2019-06-18.
  12. Web site: Down East Magazine names Brian Kevin Editor in Chief. 2021-12-27. PenBay Pilot. en.
  13. Web site: The Martha Stewart Blog : Blog Archive : Serving as Guest Editor for Down East, the Magazine of Maine. www.themarthablog.com. 25 March 2017. 2019-06-18.
  14. News: What to Cook This Week. Sifton. Sam. 2019-03-31. The New York Times. 2019-06-18. en-US. 0362-4331.
  15. Web site: IRMA. Regional Magazines. 2013-11-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20131021123947/http://www.regionalmagazines.org/index.php/site/history/. 2013-10-21. dead.
  16. Web site: August 19, 2021. Down East magazine celebrates Best of Maine. 2021-12-27. newscentermaine.com. en-US.
  17. Web site: Brand Detail . Paradies . 2013-11-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131019120928/http://paradies-na.com/branddetail.asp?id=66 . 2013-10-19 .
  18. News: Arnett . Dugan . Utah winners of Best Lobster Roll competition didn't think they'd stand a chance . . 2017-07-11 . 2017-07-12 .
  19. Down East Magazine Announces the Winner of the 'World's Best Lobster Roll' Competition! . Down East Enterprise . . en . 2019-06-18.
  20. Web site: October 18, 2021. From Down East Magazine, 70 people who are doing extraordinary things — and they're all over 70. 2021-12-27. newscentermaine.com. en-US.
  21. Web site: July 15, 2021. 101-year-old Mainer woman still lobstering. 2021-12-27. newscentermaine.com. en-US.
  22. Web site: 2021-10-19. November 2021 - 70 Over 70 Special Issue. 2021-12-27. Down East Magazine. en-US.
  23. Web site: 2019-05-31. Maine Homes by Down East magazine wins national award. 2021-12-21. Knox County VillageSoup.
  24. Web site: 2020-03-01. Funky Birchwood Condo in Maine Homes by Down East. 2021-12-21. Mountainside Real Estate. en-US.
  25. https://shop.downeast.com/collections/maine-homes-by-down-east-magazine
  26. Web site: 2017-01-21. Central Maine business briefs. 2022-02-03. Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
  27. Web site: 2022-01-28. Meet Maine's Old-House Hero. 2022-02-03. Maine Homes by Down East. en-US.
  28. Web site: 2018-05-23. Introducing Maine Homes by Down East Magazine. 2021-12-21. Maine Homes by Down East. en-US.
  29. Web site: 2018-04-10. Down East launches Maine Homes Design Awards. 2022-02-03. Knox County VillageSoup.
  30. Web site: 2021-09-17. 2021 Maine Homes Design Awards: Judged Winners. 2022-02-03. Maine Homes by Down East. en-US.
  31. Web site: Gilliam. Shawn. 2021-11-12. Home & Design 2021 RAVE Awards. 2021-12-21. Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. en-us.
  32. Web site: 2016-10-21. New hires across Maine. 2022-02-03. Press Herald.