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
October 5, 2020

Find the bright spots with a foliage drive

With leaf-peeping season upon us, it’s a good time to continue this year’s staycation theme and explore parts of Maine that are new to you – with help from the state’s foliage guru.
Published
October 5, 2020

Run & Eat: Verbena offers comforting food at discomforting time

The cafe in South Portland’s Knightville neighborhood offers soup, quiche and hearty sandwiches, plus a charming outdoor seating area.
Published
September 28, 2020

Whoop it up all month long, in the name of the state treat

The Maine Whoopie Pie Festival, usually held in Dover-Foxcroft, has been transformed this year into Whooptoberfest, an extended virtual celebration.
Published
September 27, 2020

Mockumentary takes wife-carrying and makes it even wackier

The annual North American Wife Carrying Championship at Sunday River in Newry is the basis for a new comedic film shot in Maine.
Published
September 21, 2020

Children’s museum receives $500,000 gift, stays course for spring opening

The donation from Peter and Paula Lunder leaves less than $1 million of the $14 million needed to build the 30,000-square-foot Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine on Thompson’s Point in Portland.
Published
September 21, 2020

Going out for art

Public art projects around Portland – and an upcoming exhibition in Pownal – make it easy to take in art while staying outside.
Published
September 19, 2020

Vigils for Ginsburg planned across Maine

Events aimed at remembering the late Supreme Court justice are planned Sunday for Portland, Bangor and Bar Harbor.
Published
September 19, 2020

Army Corps of Engineers takes a look at Westbrook landslide

Authorities say it could take some time before the next steps in stabilizing the riverbank of the Presumpscot are determined.
Published
September 16, 2020

Maine Public radio voices retire in budget move

Music hosts Sara Willis and Robin Rilette, along with news reporter Ed Morin, took voluntary retirement packages offered by the statewide public broadcasting network.
Published
September 14, 2020

Look forward to these Maine fall events

Despite the pandemic, there are still plenty of fall events in Maine, including a reworked maple celebration, a virtual Common Ground Fair, trolley rides to a pumpkin patch and socially distant wife-carrying.