Halloween this year is on a Saturday night, so even during a pandemic, there’ll be scary-good things to do in Maine.
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 inAsk ME, Local & State
Why does Portland have a John Ford statue?
The Oscar-winning director from Hollywood’s Golden Age grew up in Portland, but it took a friend of Ford’s from Louisiana to get his hometown to formally recognize his achievements.
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Posted inLocal & State
Trick-or-treating safely will be trickier this Halloween
State and locals officials caution that the tradition of giving out candy carries a risk of spreading COVID-19, leading some people to look for creative ways to celebrate Halloween.
Posted inLife & Culture, Local & State, News
Pandemic means trick-or-treating will be trickier this Halloween
State and local officials say the tradition of giving out candy carries a risk of spreading COVID-19, leading some people to look for creative alternatives to celebrate Halloween.
Posted inDo This
Work your way through these corn mazes
Maine farms are running socially-distanced corn mazes this year, and many are still open into late October.
Posted inDo This
Enjoy these outdoor entertainment options further into fall
In this pandemic year, drive-ins and comedy shows are happening later in the fall than usual, with events scheduled into November.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local & State
Maine musicians find ways to get by but worry about winter
They’ve turned their homes into concert venues, rented themselves out for shows, played for tips online and dipped into savings to keep their careers alive during the pandemic.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Portland designers trade fine art for fashion
A pair of recent Maine College of Art graduates and a former high school teacher who has returned home to Portland have been getting attention for their wearable art.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local & State
Nickelodeon Cinemas closes temporarily, citing lack of films
The movie house in downtown Portland opened in August but a lack of new films led management to close again Sept. 30, with the hope of reopening again in November.
Posted inDo This
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.