Some events to brighten your holiday nights, from massive light shows to gentle music by candlelight.
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.
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.
Maine influences shine through in new film ‘The Lighthouse’
Starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, the murky drama is set at a fictional Maine lighthouse in the 1890s, with dialogue and visuals heavily influenced by Maine writings, history and art. It opens nationally Friday.
Mallett Brothers celebrate 10 years together with show at the State
The Adam Ezra Group will open for the popular Maine roots rock band Saturday.
Easy Day bowling center to become Sea Dog’s second South Portland brewpub
The 10 bowling lanes will remain when the alley and restaurant reopen early next year.