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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.

Latest
  • Published
    November 29, 2011

    Portland singer’s group misseswinning ‘Sing-Off’ by one beat

    Portland’s Michael Odokara-Okigbo will have to wait a little longer for his singing career to begin.

    Odokara-Okigbo and his a cappella group, the Dartmouth Aires, came up second Monday night on the finale of NBC’s “The Sing-Off.”

  • Published
    November 27, 2011

    The play list

    Meet some of the hot holiday toys for 2011.

  • Published
    November 24, 2011

    Community outreach has roots at home

    Laura deDoes and her husband, Patrick Mendelsohn, adopted their son Bezabeh from Ethiopia about four years ago. The adoption created a special place in their hearts for their son’s birthplace. Wanting to do something to celebrate that and to connect more with their son’s roots, they decided to host an Ethiopian New Year’s party at […]

  • Published
    November 24, 2011

    Bo Bice plays The Landing

    The ‘American Idol’ alum says he doesn’t do anything his heart isn’t in.

  • Published
    November 24, 2011

    Off Beat: Weather turning ugly. Sweaters, too!

    It’s that time of year again. Once you freeze today’s turkey leftovers and politely push the relatives out the door, it’ll be time to break out the tree, the wreaths, the lights and the ugly sweaters. Ugly sweaters, if you think about it, are a really beautiful and organic manifestation of our love for the […]

  • Published
    November 24, 2011

    You be the judge: Public deciding ‘Sing-Off’ winner

    Voting will be over before the show’s finale begins, so a competitor from Portland can use your help.

  • Published
    November 24, 2011

    Gym idea unites families and special-needs kids

    Nicole Thibodeau of North Yarmouth knows how important help and support are in raising a special-needs child. Her 13-year-old son Michael has Down syndrome, and doesn’t have a lot of opportunities to socialize with or play with peers. Thibodeau figured that if she was lamenting the lack of social interaction and recreational opportunities for her […]

  • Published
    November 22, 2011
    The Sing-Off

    ‘Sing-Off’: It’s on to the finalefor Maine singer’s group

    Michael Odokara-Okigbo’s dream of a pop music career was hanging in the balance for a very long, painful moment Monday night on NBC’s “The Sing-Off.”

    One judge had already said Odokara-Okigbo and his a cappella group, the Dartmouth Aires, should go home. …

  • Published
    November 20, 2011

    Rugged individualists

    You’ll be floored by two unique rug collections featuring the work of Maine’s Angela Adams and Dahlov Ipcar.

  • Published
    November 17, 2011

    Feeling low?

    You’re in luck: All Time Low plays the State tonight.