A Portland artist recycles wood and hardware to create avian abodes that shelter birds and delight humans.
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 inLife & Culture, News
Maine activists criticize new skinny Minnie Mouse
Lydia Belden doesn’t want a skinny Minnie. The Cape Elizabeth senior wants the round little mouse from her childhood who was cute and funny and made her feel good about herself . . .
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Off Beat: Crowds at skillet tosses a sign of serious fun
One story is that women began tossing skillets competitively during the days of the pioneers as a way to kill time when man were off roping steers and whatnot. Another story goes that women’s skillet tossing contests grew out of the fact that a woman who could throw a skillet with accuracy had a certain […]
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The Rush is on
A trio of hot-hot-hot concerts – Big Time Rush, Keith Urban and Jason Aldean – goes off in Bangor this weekend, with the boy band BTR leading things off.
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Off Beat: Car Wars turns racing into a contact sport
As many as 3,000 people turn out at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway to watch races where bumping and crashing are encouraged.
Posted inLife & Culture
In the pumpkin patch: Aiming for greatness
Now more than midway through his quest to grow a giant pumpkin, 16-year-old Lucas Dion of Waterboro hand-germinates the plant and drenches his most promising specimens with gallons of water.
Posted inLife & Culture, News
Tentative agreement keeps WGME in Dish lineup
The owner of Channel 13, a CBS affiliate, announces an ‘agreement in principle’ to remain on the network.
Posted inLife & Culture, News
Dish customers won’t lose WGME – yet
Sinclair Broadcast Group and Dish Network have entered a two-week extension of the existing agreement.
Posted inLife & Culture
Grace Potter: Beauty and the Beast
Fresh from the release of the CD ‘The Lion the Beast the Beat,’ Grace Potter and the Nocturnals play tow Portland shows.
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Off Beat: Rooftop Film series features ‘Teen Wolf’
Once a month, MENSK sets up a film showing atop the Spring Street garage.