Several of Maine’s unique annual holiday shows, like ‘Magic of Christmas’ and ‘Victorian Nutcracker,’ have lasted 20 years or more.
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.
My Perfect Day: WinterKids’ director would go to Bradbury Mountain, a bookstore and brunch
Courtney Holub of Portland would also run along Back Cove and meet friends at The Continental.
Monopoly with your martini? Find all sorts of games at these bars and restaurants
Bars, cafes, restaurants and breweries all over southern Maine are offering trivia, pinball, board games and other ways to break the ice.
From a Dexter, Maine, music class to the Dave Matthews Band – and now, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Saxophonist Jeff Coffin was inducted this fall as part of the Dave Matthews Band. He spent some of his youth in Dexter and credits a music teacher there with nurturing his talent.
Maine native Amy Allen up for 4 Grammy awards
Allen, who grew up in Windham and South Portland, was nominated for songwriter of the year, as well as in the song, album and song for visual media categories.
Meet the Mainer who helps capture the sounds of ‘Survivor’
James Demer of Falmouth has traveled around the world as a location audio mixer for reality TV shows, including the current season of ‘Survivor’ on CBS.
Long lines, lockdown all part of ‘important’ day at South Portland polling place
Some voters showed up at the South Portland Community Center an hour before it opened, many talked about how important the presidential election was, and others waited out a lockdown caused by a threat to a nearby school.
Hoax threats send multiple Maine schools into lockdown on Election Day
More than a dozen schools received ‘swatting’ calls, which came from the same IP address that’s been used in previous hoaxes.
‘Africa’s premier diva’ Angelique Kidjo brings her international blend of music to Portland
The five-time Grammy winner will perform at the State Theatre on Nov. 13.
My Perfect Day: For Tommy C, it involves Kettle Cove, classic cinema and clams
The longtime Portland radio personality would venture to The Strand in Rockland or The Colonial in Belfast, after an early lunch at Bob’s Clam Hut in Kittery.