Ian McGinley, who records as Phoniks, is one of four indie musicians in ‘Underdogs.’
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.
The decade in Maine arts and culture
During the past 10 years, new venues changed the state’s entertainment scene while our artists showed the world their abundant talent.
Get ready for 2020 with these New Year’s Eve events
A blueberry drop in Kennebunk, fireworks over Old Orchard Beach and Freeport and a slew of Roaring ’20s parties are a few of the New Year’s Eve events around southern Maine.
Get out of the dark at these illuminated events
Some events to brighten your holiday nights, from massive light shows to gentle music by candlelight.
Sally Struthers leaves Ogunquit Playhouse’s ‘Annie’ after breaking leg in fall
The ‘All in the Family’ star fell on an icy sidewalk and will be replaced in the holiday production by Ruth Gottschall.
Maine singer’s debut album lands on New York Times top 10 list
Kalie Shorr, a Portland native based in Nashville, saw her album ‘Open Book’ land on the list of top albums of 2019 compiled by one of the newspaper’s critics.
Gems, minerals and world’s largest moon rocks get their own museum in Bethel
With a collection of some 40,000 gems and minerals and 6,000 meteorites, the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum is set to open Dec. 12.
With help from a fellow Mainer, Ninja Turtles creator launches new comic series
The plot of Drawing Blood has a lot in common with the life of Westbrook High graduate Kevin Eastman.
The new mission: Helping veterans navigate civilian life
James Orr, a former sergeant, helps veterans who have had trouble adjusting to life after the military through Veteran Mentors of Maine.
Bill Green, who told Maine stories to generations of viewers, is signing off
The Bangor native is wrapping up a 47-year TV career in which he made fellow Mainers feel like he was talking to them, not at them.