Ray Routhier

Press Herald

Ray Routhier writes about pop culture, entertainment, music, TV and lifestyle issues. In more than 23 years at the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, he has been continually fascinated with stories that show the unique character of Maine’s people and places. The word he uses most for stories he’s drawn to is “quirky.” He’s written about the changing cable TV and Internet landscapes, and what those changes mean for the future of information and entertainment. He’s dug clams, raked blueberries and rode on the back of a garbage truck, all in pursuit of stories about real Mainers. He’s had a ball interviewing a range of celebrities from Anna Kendrick and Patrick Dempsey to Billy Joel and Tony Bennett. His passions, besides writing, include baseball history, old movies and “Jeopardy!” A native of Manchester, N.H., he graduated with a degree in political science from the University of New Hampshire. He lives in South Portland with his wife and two daughters.

Latest

Published
June 23, 2023

For in-demand drummer Jay Bellerose, Thompson’s Point concert is a homecoming

The Old Orchard Beach native, who has built a career in the music business over the past 30 years, will perform in Portland along with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on July 3.
Published
June 20, 2023

Woolwich wild food fan competing for ‘MasterChef’ title

Nina Interlandi Bell made venison dumplings during an audition round in May and now is among 20 contestants vying for the Fox show’s $250,000 prize.
Published
June 18, 2023

Original art from beloved Maine children’s author Robert McCloskey on view in Brunswick

‘Robert McCloskey: The Art of Wonder’ opens Tuesday at Curtis Memorial Library and features work for ‘Blueberries for Sal,’ ‘Make Way for Ducklings’ and others.
Published
June 5, 2023

Women of letters: Gov. Mills and her pandemic pen pal inspire new book

Ashirah Knapp of Temple wrote weekly letters to Gov. Janet Mills during the first year of the pandemic. The letters are the basis for the book ‘In Other Words, Leadership,’ which goes on sale June 20.
Published
June 3, 2023

Portland’s Exchange Street could be closed to traffic on Sundays this summer

The City Council is scheduled to act Monday on a proposal to close a block of the Old Port street to cars on Sundays June 16 to Sept. 23.
Published
May 29, 2023

Find a state park that suits your camping style

The best spots for wildlife watching, ocean views, biking, hiking trails and more.
Published
April 10, 2023

Mud season has arrived. Here are fun ways to embrace or avoid it.

There are plenty of ways to get your hands dirty in April, plus opportunities to get outside but stay relatively clean.
Published
April 3, 2023

It’s all fun and games at Hadlock Field, even between innings

The game is baseball and the fun includes fireworks, dogs in the park, lobster tossing, musical chairs, Star Wars, superheroes, and the return of the Sea Dogs Biscuit.
Published
April 2, 2023

From hot tubs to handrails, the Mainely name sells, business owners say

Hundreds of businesses across the state share the same first name – Mainely – and find it’s an effective way to brand just about any product or service.
Published
March 23, 2023

Richard Russo’s ‘Straight Man’ is back on campus in new AMC series

The show, called ‘Lucky Hank,’ is based on the 1997 novel and stars Bob Odenkirk as a small college professor in a mid-life crisis. The second episode airs Sunday.

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