Maine Coalition for Palestine calls on Maine’s state and federal representatives to push for an end to the violence that began in October.
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, Local & State
When can you watch Cumberland singer Julia Gagnon on ‘American Idol’ next?
Gagnon’s platinum ticket allows her to skip the first round of Hollywood Week competition, airing Sunday. But on Monday’s show, she’ll likely find out if she’s one of the top 24 singers competing for the rest of the season.
advertisement
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Books
Maine places inspired new novels by 2 Colby professors
‘Discipline’ by Debra Spark and ‘Bad Animals’ by Sarah Braunstein both came out this month. The teaching colleagues are holding a joint book launch event Thursday in Portland.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local & State, News
Cumberland woman kept quiet about her talent as a kid. Now, she’s singing on ‘American Idol’
Julia Gagnon, a senior at the University of Southern Maine, wanted to be on the internationally televised talent show as a way of sharing something with her birth mother in Guatemala. She’ll make her first appearance Sunday.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Books
In the bleachers, in a tub or in the woods, here’s where Mainers read
The new book ‘Where Maine Reads’ features photos of 50 Mainers in their favorite reading spots, along with essays on what reading means to them.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Maine-based podcast ‘Dark Downeast’ is helping keep cold cases alive
Kylie Low, a former morning host on Portland radio station WJBQ, has been writing and hosting the podcast since 2020, with a focus on helping families of victims.
Posted inFood & Dining, Things to Do
For Maine Restaurant Week, pick a dining or driving destination and go out
There are more than 70 restaurants statewide offering deals during the event, which starts Friday and runs through March 12.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Business, Local & State
Bridge over bottled water? Hannaford shoppers sing praises for new in-store music
An employee survey led the Hannaford supermarket chain to revamp its music selection.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local & State
Actor Gabriel Byrne, living in Midcoast, lends voice to domestic abuse awareness fundraiser
Byrne will appear March 9 at a fundraiser for Finding Our Voices at the Camden Opera House, which includes a screening of ‘The Usual Suspects.’
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime
Police search for at least 4 suspects who fled after Saco shooting and crash
Area schools were locked down in the afternoon, and a shelter-in-place order remained in effect until early Friday night.