The son of a Cambodian refugee, the Portland activist-turned-author spent time in foster homes before being adopted by a family in Naples whose beliefs were at odds with his sexuality.
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, Local & State
Portland’s July 4 fireworks will boom, but without musical accompaniment
A city staffing shortage led to the decision to keep the celebration scaled back, meaning the Portland Symphony Orchestra will not perform.
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Posted inDo This
Maine is bursting with Pride events. Here’s where to find them
June is Pride Month, with events across Maine scheduled, including the Pride Portland parade, festivals and train and trolley rides.
Posted inDo This, Food
Eat & Run: Indy’s menu of storybook sandwiches is good reading and eating
The new eatery in South Portland features creative sandwiches with names inspired by children’s stories, including the Henny Penny, Peter Rabbit and Three Little Pigs.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, News
Got a yen for acting? Mainers wanted to be extras in true crime series
Scenes for ‘Wild Crime’ will be shot around Greater Portland from June 20-29.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local & State
Crime story contest has a happy ending for Bangor teen who beat out professional writers
Muhammad Drammeh, 17, won the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance’s annual CrimeFlash Fiction contest, competing against more experienced writers and published authors.
Posted inDo This
The Resurgam Festival: Spirit of city’s love for music and arts rises anew
The new, one-day celebration Sunday at Thompson’s Point is organized by Maine Academy of Modern Music, prompted partly by the scrapping of Portland’s Old Port Festival in 2019.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Long before Bean Boots, Mainers were on the forefront of fashion
Maine Historical Society has three exhibits that merge history and fashion, including ‘Northern Threads,’ which features Maine clothes from the society’s collection spanning 200 years.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Fatal crash closes Route 9 in Washington County on Memorial Day
Route 9 – also known as Airline Road – connects Bangor and Calais, and is a major route for people traveling to New Brunswick and Canada’s Maritime provinces from Maine.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Suspect sought in hit-and-run fatal in remote Washington County
The driver of a motorcycle was struck and killed Sunday afternoon near Danforth, Maine State Police say.