Explore the Winter 2025-26 edition
On the cover: Cold comfort: a trio of high-performance homes for mountain living
Editor’s note
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CREATING AN EDITORIAL PLAN involves equal parts teamwork, collaboration, industry knowledge, research, intuition and what often feels like a little bit of magic. The magic refers to the whole that emerges when it all comes together in a sort of editorial collage. That “sum is greater than its parts.” This aspect isn’t planned. And yet, it’s one of my favorite parts about publishing a magazine.
In this issue, you’ll find a mélange of ways to enjoy a good winter in Maine. If you’re tempted to try a new-to-you form of outdoor recreation, flip to Checking out gear libraries just makes sense. You’ll find places in Portland, Brunswick, Skowhegan, Millinocket and beyond to borrow or rent snowshoes, cross-country skis, ice skates, fat tire bikes and more (even outdoor apparel to keep you warm, dry and comfortable out there!).
If snow adventures are what you live for and you dream of mountain living, the trio of high performance mountain homes in Cold comfort will give you plenty of inspiration.
While we often think of the mountains when the snow flies, winter is also a gorgeous time to visit the beach, with deeper colors and without the crowds. With the ideas in Explore the seashore this winter, you may soon find that the quiet, invigorating beauty of the coast in winter easily rivals what we usually think of as “beach season.”
If, for you, a good winter means quiet time to rest and restore, check out Retreat and renew for a list of retreat centers in Maine where you can find a little recharge time without leaving the state. From yoga and meditation to saunas and breathwork, activities like writing, winter hiking and cold-water dipping, or just simply “being,” take a little YOU time this winter.
Looking to flex your creative muscles? Check out Taking things into your own hands to learn about a collection of maker spaces in Maine—from visual arts and handcrafts to woodworking, and computer technology and 3D printing to electronics, you’ll find a community spot near you with classes, support and all the tools to get started.
Find all this and more (including poetry!) in this issue.
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