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
April 21, 2023

With concert tours back and environment top of mind, Reverb’s work amps up

The nonprofit, founded by Cape Elizabeth couple Lauren Sullivan and Guster’s Adam Gardner, has been making concerts more environmentally friendly since 2004.
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 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.
Published
March 18, 2023

Novel set in Damariscotta could become basis for Hulu series

‘The Midcoast’ author Adam White, who grew up in Damariscotta, said the series is being developed for the streaming service but has not gotten final approval.
Published
March 15, 2023

Mainer moves writing conference from New York City back home

Shanna McNair is bringing The Writers Hotel conference to Boothbay Harbor after years in New York City. Maine writers scheduled to lead sessions include Tess Gerritsen, Cathie Pelletier and Lily King.
Published
March 14, 2023

Mainer who won Oscar recovering from urgent surgery after ceremony

Eric Saindon left a Los Angeles hospital Sunday, fighting pain, to attend the Academy Awards and pick up his first Oscar, for visual effects in the movie ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’
Published
March 11, 2023

$3 million in federal funds will help preserve Maine Irish Heritage Center’s history

The center inside the old St. Dominic’s church building in Portland’s West End, a key piece of the area’s rich Irish identity, will get long-needed updates to the roof and brickwork.
Published
March 10, 2023

Maine native up for visual effects Oscar

Eric Saindon, who grew up in Gorham, has been nominated twice before. This year, he’s nominated for his work on ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’
Published
March 6, 2023

Celebrate Maine’s birthday with tours, talks and more

Here are some ways you might mark Maine’s 203rd birthday – the anniversary of statehood – on March 15.