Down East Magazine, July 2026

Features Season's Eatings Summer is print time for food trucks around Maine, with roving chefs slinging a wide range of classic and creative meals on wheels-and revving up the state's already high-octane culinary scene. By Joel Crabtree, Michael Igoe, and Charlie Pike 250 Years of Maine in America On this milestone birthday, we take stock of Maine's 25 greatest impacts on U.S. history-the people, products, events, and ideas that shaped everything from politics to commerce to culture to cuisine throughout the nation. By Will Grunewald Spine Tingler UMaine literature professor Caroline Bicks swallowed her fears and ventured into Stephen King's personal archives (and lived to tell the tale). Now, she talks with us about the experience and shares an excerpt from her new book exploring what makes King the master of his terrifying craft. By Charlie Pike Photographed by Dave Waddell Where in Maine Dooryard North by East Fired Up At a gathering of antique rescue vehicles, the competition gets heated. Maine Moment Common Grounds A student-made doc about Rwandan coffee beans roasted in Maine. Choose Your Own Adventure Six intrepid Mainers, three exhaustive itineraries. Fishy Business A Raymond sculptor goes trawling for garbage. Less Really Is More At an Italian eatery, a couple focuses on doing a few dishes extremely well. Deep Dive Exploring undercurrents in Winslow Homer's works. The Birds and the Bees And butterflies and bats have a home in this lush Scarborough yard. Maine Dispatches Room With a View Close encounters on a quiet morning. My Favorite Place Filmmaker Bob Krist, on Pemaquid Point. ON THE COVER The Fourth on Frenchman Bay. Photo by Benjamin Williamson