Ray Routhier – Page 49 – Centralmaine.com

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.

Things to Do

Want to learn a new skill? Take a lesson from a local online

by Ray Routhier May 4, 2020May 4, 2020

Use your newfound downtime to take up a new hobby, from tap dancing to mixology.

WGAN weekend host John McDonald fired after 25 years

by Ray Routhier April 29, 2020April 30, 2020

McDonald, 75, is the second longtime host the AM station has released in the past month.

Local & State, Schools and Education

New TV show on Maine Public aims to help remote learners

by Ray Routhier April 27, 2020April 28, 2020

‘The Learning Space,’ featuring lessons from Maine teachers, is airing weekdays at 12:30 p.m.

Things to Do

For comedians during the coronavirus crisis, the joke’s online

by Ray Routhier April 27, 2020April 27, 2020

With live gigs canceled, Maine comics are taking their talents to Facebook, Instagram and other platforms.

Local & State, News

Lack of clarity about mask-wearing causing a face-off

by Ray Routhier April 26, 2020April 26, 2020

People’s decisions to wear or not wear a face covering during the COVID-19 pandemic has created anger and defiance in some, but a feeling of solidarity in others.

Arts & Entertainment, Things to Do

Check out what local libraries are doing now

by Ray Routhier April 20, 2020April 20, 2020

With physical locations closed, southern Maine libraries are offering a range of online services and activities, from books and movies to author talks, cooking demos and writing groups.

Local & State

Take a tip from Mainers who lived in isolation long before coronavirus

by Ray Routhier April 19, 2020April 20, 2020

We might all gain perspective from the experiences of ‘North Pond Hermit’ Christopher Knight, Donn Fendler of “Lost on a Mountain in Maine” or Burt Shavitz of Burt’s Bees.