Maine native Haley Bennett has built a career as music supervisor, musician and conductor for a wide variety of filmed and live productions, including ‘Schmigadoon!’ on Apple TV+ and the musical ‘& Juliet’ on Broadway now.
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.
TV series based on Portland author Richard Russo’s ‘Straight Man’ to debut March 19
Titled ‘Lucky Hank’ and starring Bob Odenkirk, the series will seen on AMC.
Lifetime turns Zumba prostitution scandal into made-for-TV movie
‘Let’s Get Physical’ doesn’t specifically name Alexis Wright, who went to jail in 2013 for running a prostitution ring from her Kennebunk fitness studio, but the setting and story are extremely similar.
Part-time Mainer aims to make science relatable in PBS series
Physicist and novelist Alan Lightman, a Maine summer resident, is host of the upcoming three-part PBS series ‘Searching: Our Quest for Meaning in the Age of Science.’
After so much stress, the way we dress has become more about comfort
The pandemic loosened company dress codes and changed many Mainers’ mindsets about what they wear, at work and play.
News Center Maine anchor Pat Callaghan retiring after 43 years
He began as a Maine TV news reporter in 1979 and has been co-anchor of the station’s main newscasts since 1989. His last day is Dec. 9.
Maine native Amy Allen nominated for new songwriter Grammy
The 2010 Waynflete graduate, who grew up in Windham and South Portland, was nominated Tuesday for songwriter of the year. The Grammy Awards will be broadcast live Feb. 5 on CBS.
B&M fans say makers from away don’t know beans
After nearly 100 years of being baked in Portland, the iconic Maine brand is now made in the Midwest. Longtime enthusiasts say they can taste the difference – even if they’d rather not.
Selected poems by Maine veteran Ryan Stovall
From his book, ‘Black Snowflakes Smothering a Torch: Or How to Talk to Your Veteran – A Primer,’ released this month.
Former Green Beret wants his poetry to serve as a manual for talking to veterans
Ryan Stovall of Phillips says his new book of poems, ‘Black Snowflakes Smothering a Torch,’ is meant to help people learn how to better understand and interact with those who have been through war.