Farm animals are the real stars of Maine’s agricultural fairs, so this year take time to watch a sheep shearing, a dairy cow show or the oxen-pulling contest.
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, Books
The 7 titles featured in this year’s Beautiful Blackbird Children’s Book Festival
Each year, the festival highlights a handful of books to share with young Maine readers. Here are this year’s featured stories.
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Posted inArts & Entertainment
Beautiful Blackbird book festival, highlighting Black and immigrant children’s stories, keeps spreading its wings
In its fourth year, the festival named for a book by Ashley Bryan will include events Friday though Sunday in Lewiston, Portland and Rockland.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Business, Local & State, News
You’ve seen him on TV. Now, you can join him aboard his windjammer in Rockland
Actor Marc Evan Jackson, known for roles on ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and ‘The Good Place,’ spent most of his childhood desperately wanting to sail on Maine windjammers. Last year, he became part owner of one.
Posted inLocal & State, News
5 people taken to hospital after walkway collapse at Arrowsic lighthouse
Six others were also hurt but didn’t require treatment after the Doubling Point Lighthouse walkway collapsed during Maine Open Lighthouse Day on Saturday.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local & State
Parrot Heads flock to Kennebunk funeral home to share grief over Jimmy Buffett
Bibber Memorial Chapel has invited grieving fans of Jimmy Buffett to celebrate the singer and sign a condolence book for his family. Calling hours continue Saturday.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Sound effects: Yarmouth music center expands to meet demand
After a $6.5 million expansion, 317 Main Community Music Center in Yarmouth now serves 800 students of all ages a week and hosts a variety of programs and concerts.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
From the season’s lineup, 7 pop shows that stand out
Genres range from Celtic music and ’90s rock to country and blues. And there’s a Hollywood actor thrown in for variety.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Books, Life & Culture
Waterville authors’ marriage has stood the test of time – and deadlines
Sharon Lee and Steve Miller have co-authored science fiction novels and stories for more than 35 years. Their 25th Liaden Universe novel came out in July, and they’ve collaborated on 100 works in all.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Business, Local & State, News
Maine actors say strike is about getting streaming services to play fair
Most union actors rely on residual pay from past work, but streaming services use a different payment model than the one broadcast networks have long used.