Because an entire generation has thrilled to Harry Potter’s exploits from grammar school days to college years, the last film is as highly anticipated as any in recent memory.
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.
‘Bachelorette’ comes down to final 4
Can a girl from a small town in Maine find love in New York City?
Or in the wine country of California? Or in sprawling Atlanta?
That is the next crucial question for Ashley Hebert of Madawaska as she continues her search for romance on ABC’s dating reality show “The Bachelorette.”
Camp job calls for ease at shifting gears
Maine at Work: Multiskilled counselors referee games, teach knitting, chaperone field trips, quell quarrels and make paper planes.
Go outside and play
A little friendly competition can add to the fun of outdoor gatherings this summer.
The great thing about lawn games — at least some of the newer ones — is that they are usually more fun than they sound.
Take cornhole — also called bean bag — a Midwestern staple currently enjoying new popularity with the 20-something set.
Summer’s not just a little bit country
Bangor’s pavilion and other venues offer room for more of the big names to add Maine to their tour schedules.
What goes up must come down at Funtown Splashtown USA
Maine at Work: Safety has real meaning when you’re operating an amusement park ride that drops people 220 feet.
Choice assignment for you, dear reader
Here’s a key thing to remember about summer in Maine — we’re all in this together. Summer in Maine can be a little overwhelming, what with so little time to enjoy the nice weather and so many different ways to enjoy it. Which fried fish place should you try this week? Where’s the best lobster […]
The beach chair of his dreams
A do-it-yourselfer learns the necessary skills to produce a comfortable lounging seat that’s built to last, and the result is an attention-getter.
Free and easy concert season begins
It won’t cost you to take in musical stars and up-and-comers in the parks and squares of Portland and Freeport.
Bachelorette gets closurewith bad boy, irks others
Ashley Hebert finally got over bad boy Bentley on Monday’s episode of “The Bachelorette.”
But it turns out she ticked off some of the other men on the show in the process . . .