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
July 4, 2022

Why wait for fall? Summer has its share of Maine fairs

At least 11 fairs are scheduled across the state through the end of August, including the Ossipee Valley Fair in Hiram this week.
Published
June 27, 2022

Maine Public to add 7 radio signals in rural areas

The public network is planning to broadcast from towers in Bethel, Calais, Fort Kent, Greenville, Mars Hill and Millinocket and surrounding areas within three years.
Published
June 13, 2022

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.
Published
June 10, 2022

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.
Published
June 9, 2022

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.
Published
June 5, 2022

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.
Published
May 30, 2022

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.
Published
May 30, 2022

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.
Published
May 30, 2022

Desert of Maine’s new owners bring the arts, education and mini golf to the Freeport attraction

They’ve added new play areas and exhibits, luxury cabins and educational and arts programming to the 96-year-old tourist spot. A theater piece called ‘Caravan of Dreams’ opens on the dunes Saturday.
Published
May 26, 2022

South Portland actor who took off in original ‘Top Gun’ has left Hollywood behind

Whip Hubley played a hotshot fighter pilot in the 1986 movie but is in no hurry to see the sequel, which opens Friday. These days, he acts with southern Maine theater groups and works at a construction firm.