Patrisha McLean criticizes the Biden administration for inviting the singer best known for his 1971 hit ‘American Pie.’
Ray Routhier
Staff Writer
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.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Maine
‘American Idol’ star Julia Gagnon to pursue a career in music, starting with a Maine tour
The 22-year-old singer from Cumberland will perform at the Moxie Festival and 15 or more other Maine venues this summer. She also hopes to record a new song about Maine.
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Posted inArts & Entertainment
Jack McMorrow’s Maine mystery-solving days are numbered
Author and former Maine newspaper reporter Gerry Boyle has decided to end his Jack McMorrow series after 31 years and 14 books. The last one, ‘Hard Line,’ goes on sale June 11.
Posted inMaine, Schools & Education
Maine’s tour guide to outer space is signing off after 25 years
During his tenure at the University of Southern Maine’s Southworth Planetarium, Edward Herrick-Gleason has narrated thousands of sky tours and astronomy shows and established himself as local media’s go-to expert for all things astronomical.
Posted inMaine, Outdoors
Did you see the northern lights this weekend?
One of the strongest solar storms in the last 20 years produced a brightly colored night sky that was seen across much of the U.S., including the Pine Tree State, on Friday night.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Maine
Her ‘American Idol’ run has ended, but ‘it’s just the beginning’ for Julia Gagnon
The 22-year-old from Cumberland was voted out of the competition Sunday but will keep singing and could perform once more on the show on May 19.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Oscar winner Chris Cooper talks movies, past and future
Cooper won a supporting actor Oscar for ‘Adaptation.’ He’ll be a guest at this year’s Bates Film Festival, running May 14-19.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Lewiston-Auburn, Things to Do
This year’s Bates Film Festival reunites old Hollywood friends
Among the special guests are director John Sayles and Oscar-winning actor Chris Cooper. Screenings and other events, scheduled for May 14-19 and all free, will take place in Lewiston and Portland.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Maine
‘American Idol’ standout Julia Gagnon unites Mainers, from Cumberland to The County
The support of fans from Maine and around the country has helped propel Gagnon to the final seven contestants. She’ll next appear on the show Sunday.
Posted inBusiness, Food, Maine
Pizza Joint becomes latest Portland-area business to feel a lot of love … a little too late
After the foodie favorite announced the closure of its Portland and South Portland shops, people were lining up to place orders. But one can’t help but ask: Where were those customers before?