Ray Routhier has written about pop culture, movies, TV, music and lifestyle trends for the Portland Press Herald since 1993. He is continually fascinated with stories that show the unique character of Maine’s people and places. He’s written about why so many businesses use the made-up word “Mainely” in their names, how you can trace Portland’s history through its various smells and why Mainers lament the loss of Portland-made B&M baked beans. He’s interviewed a wide variety of filmmakers, actors, musicians and authors, including Patrick Dempsey, Tony Shalhoub, Richard Russo, Tess Gerritsen, Tony Bennett, Anna Kendrick, and Stephen King. His passions, besides writing, include baseball history, old movies and “Jeopardy!” A native of Manchester, New Hampshire, he graduated with a degree in political science from the University of New Hampshire. He lives in South Portland with his wife and two children.
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PublishedAugust 30, 2024
Police say man shot wife, son multiple times before he was killed on bridge between Maine, N.H.
Officials in Maine and New Hampshire on Friday released the name of the Troy, N.H., man who allegedly killed his wife and their 8-year-old son.
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PublishedAugust 26, 2024
At these 6 Maine orchards, apple picking is just part of the fun
From wagon rides to wine tastings, many apple orchards are offering activities beyond stocking up on fruit.
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PublishedAugust 13, 2024
Jack Palmer, Maine star of viral ‘buttery, flaky crust’ ad, dies
He and his wife became internet famous after repeatedly flubbing the lines while filming a commercial for Dysart’s in 2012, earning an ‘SNL’ spoof.
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PublishedAugust 8, 2024
Maine home of Frances Perkins, first female Cabinet member, seeks national monument designation
An architect of New Deal measures like Social Security and the 40-hour work week, Perkins returned throughout her life to a home in Newcastle that had been in her family since the 1750s.
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PublishedAugust 4, 2024
Maine’s rustic summer theaters struggle to keep cool as temperatures rise
Summer heat is affecting actors and audiences alike, and some venues have been forced to consider expensive alterations to their spaces.
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PublishedJuly 31, 2024
Julia Gagnon’s birth mother, who helped inspire her ‘American Idol’ journey, has died
The Cumberland singer posted on Instagram Wednesday about the death of her birth mother, Sara Ramos.
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PublishedJuly 15, 2024
Aw, shucks: Steamer the clam opens up about life as a festival mascot
The face of the Yarmouth Clam Festival answers our questions about the best parts of the event, what it’s like to watch the shucking contest and life in the off-season.
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PublishedJuly 15, 2024
Yarmouth Clam Festival to get popping with parade, ‘American Idol’ star and more
Julia Gagnon, who went to school in Yarmouth, will be the grand marshal of the parade and will perform as well. The festival runs Friday through Sunday.
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PublishedJuly 8, 2024
Go a little farther afield and find a Maine summer fair for you
Why wait for the big fall fairs, when there’s tons of small-town fair fun happening all over the state in summer.
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PublishedJuly 7, 2024
Waterville film festival at center of Maine’s cinematic universe
Highlights of this year’s Maine International Film Festival, starting Friday, are Dutch director Jos Stelling and the premiere of ‘Lost on a Mountain in Maine.’
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