Whether driving heavy equipment or – as in her latest children’s book – piloting a lobster boat, Katie Clark’s ‘Grandma’ is adventure personified.
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 inArts & Entertainment, Life & Culture
In memoriam
The bright light cast by Maine’s vibrant cultural scene grew a bit dimmer in 2012 with the passing of some of the state’s leading artists, musicians, writers, teachers and activists.
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Posted inLife & Culture
Off Beat: Clam Drop in Yarmouth
It’s a different take on the New Year’s Eve ball drop: The suit worn by Clam Festival mascot Steamer will be lowered.
Posted inLife & Culture
Bin there. Done that.
Don’t drown in all that holiday stuff. De-clutter instead, and you’ll start the new year organized.
Posted inLife & Culture
Off Beat: Happy ending
Say the Mayans were right and the world ends Friday. Might as well see it off in style at any of a number of doomsday-themed parties in the area.
Posted inLife & Culture, News
Wedding of Maine’s Bachelorette and her J.P. a big production
Literally. A TV special of their Dec. 1 nuptials will air Sunday – and probably be in reruns for years.
Posted inUncategorized
Off Beat: Club tries something a little different
Midget wrestling appears to be making a comeback. In an age when we are supposedly more sensitive to people’s size, shape, color, etc., why is the spectacle of little people hitting each other over the head appealing? Well, the short answer is that lots of restaurants have live bands with dinner. “In this economy, in […]
Posted inLife & Culture
Gifts to groove to
Our holiday tip sheet features some CDs and some vinyl, with input from a couple of local music savants.
Posted inUncategorized
‘Hobbit’ huge for Tolkien’s Maine fans
Jason Dillman doesn’t dress up for just any midnight movie. Sure, there are probably lots of folks who will get in costume for a “Harry Potter” film one month and a “Star Wars” film the next. But for Dillman, it’s all about J.R.R. Tolkien and his pioneering ways in fantasy fiction. Dillman is admiring enough […]
Posted inLife & Culture, News
Quieter on the set: new law will muffle loud, obnoxious ads
Those loud, annoying TV commercials should end Thursday under a new law that says the volume has to be similar to the program the ads interrupt.