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
March 6, 2022

Maine’s new poet laureate lives and writes the rural life

Julia Bouwsma of New Portland brings a different sort of background to the role and hopes to spread poetry to all corners of the state.
Published
February 28, 2022

Ghost of Paul Revere fans rally to replace music gear stolen on tour

The Portland band has raised $28,000 toward replacing its trailer and equipment, stolen in Colorado last week.
Published
February 13, 2022

Portland cartoonist’s creations drawing a bigger audience

Based on the comic strip by Lincoln Peirce, the animated TV version of ‘Big Nate’ debuts this week. A series based on his ‘Max & the Midknights’ books is also in the works.
Published
February 11, 2022

Author Tess Gerritsen’s documentary about pigs to air on Maine Public

‘Magnificent Beast,’ a collaboration with her filmmaker son Josh Gerritsen, is scheduled to be shown Feb. 24.
Published
February 8, 2022

Portland author Lily King a finalist for short story prize

Her new collection, ‘Five Tuesdays in Winter,’ is among three finalists for the $20,000 Story Prize.
Published
February 7, 2022

Ways to explore Black History Month in Maine

Events planned in February include museum exhibits about Maine’s ties to the slave trade and early communities of formerly enslaved people here, plus virtual talks and tours.
Published
January 31, 2022

Where to try your hand at an Olympic sport – or at least watch one on TV

Here are some places in Maine where you can work on your Winter Olympic skills and who to keep your eye out for in the games.
Published
January 30, 2022

Artist to re-create scene from Marsden Hartley painting on Maine lake

Vermont painter Eric Aho is holding a community ice cutting event Saturday on Keewaydin Lake in Stoneham to replicate the ‘The Ice Hole, Maine.’
Published
January 24, 2022

Get out and play, with these winter activities

In Maine, it’s easy to find places to skate, snowshoe, sled or even ride a bike through the snow.
Published
January 23, 2022

Maine libraries’ most-borrowed books in 2021

The top check-outs within the Minerva consortium of 60 libraries and from the Portland Public Library.