The Portland Pops Fourth of July on the Eastern Promenade has been canceled for the second straight year, but the city will explore putting on a fireworks display.
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 inThings to Do
Looking for an opening? Here’s where you now can go to have some fun again
Places to have fun and relax are beginning to open up in Maine just in time for spring, including brewery tasting rooms, patios, libraries, tennis courts, ice cream stands, music venues and theaters.
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Posted inArts & Entertainment, Business, Maine, Politics
More films could be made in Maine under new proposal
Promoters of a bill now before the Legislature say the state needs to offer more financial incentives aimed at attracting a steady stream of moderately priced movie and TV productions to compete with other states and create jobs.
Posted inFood & Dining, Things to Do
Run & Eat: Crispy Gai’s Thai fried chicken comes many ways, from salads to wings
The Thai-spiced fried chicken is super crispy, the salads and sides are loaded with creative items, and the nuggets go fast.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Maine, News, Schools and Education
Portland singer starts nonprofit to help women of color into tech careers
Janay Woodruff, who performs as JanaeSound, is raising money and awareness for the project through virtual reality performances and a free streaming concert Saturday.
Posted inFood & Dining, Things to Do
What to expect from the return of Maine Maple Sunday, with restrictions
Maple producers all over the state will participate this weekend, selling syrup and treats, but many won’t have crowded events like pancake breakfasts, sugar house tours or wagon rides.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Gritty new crime thriller ‘Downeast’ gives Portland an extreme closeup
Shot in the Old Port and on the waterfront, the film let Maine-born actor Greg Finley realize his dream of making a movie in his home state.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Maine
Cape Elizabeth native gets Oscar nomination for work on ‘Mank’
Erik Messerschmidt was nominated Monday for his cinematography.
Posted inThings to Do
How to spend that extra hour of sunlight in southern Maine
Now that we’ve got another hour of daylight, here are some fun ways to spend it, including Maine sunset spots, strolls and walks, and places for outdoor sustenance.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
As The Pretty Reckless tops the charts, singer Taylor Momsen makes herself home on midcoast
Momsen has been spending more time at her home in Maine, where her band also recorded its recent album, ‘Death by Rock and Roll.’