These folks were on the job Friday helping kick off the Christmas season at attractions around southern Maine.
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
He started playing Dungeons & Dragons as a kid in Portland. Now he does it professionally
Ned Donovan is starring in a new streaming series, called ‘Encounter Party,’ on which actors play Dungeons & Dragons. It debuted this month and is based on a podcast he helped create.
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Posted inArts & Entertainment
New nonprofit revives Colonial, giving Belfast its movie theater back
After going dark for a year, the screens at Belfast’s historic Colonial Theatre will light up again this month. The theater is now owned by a nonprofit community group.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local & State
‘Godfather’ actor doesn’t refuse offers from new Maine friends
Gianni Russo played Carlo in ‘The Godfather’ and wrote a book about his life with mobsters and movie stars. In February, he’ll sing songs and tell stories in Portland.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State
Stephen King on shootings near childhood home: ‘It always means more when you know the place’
Maine’s most famous author, a vocal advocate for stricter gun laws, went to high school in Lisbon Falls, where the Lewiston shooter was found dead.
Posted inBusiness, Food & Dining, Local & State
Coffee By Design closes original location on Congress Street after 29 years
The temporary closure of the Portland coffee shop this month has become permanent.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local & State
Maine filmmakers explore 1970s disco backlash
Lisa Quijano Wolfinger and Rushmore DeNooyer, of Lone Wolf Media in South Portland, made the new documentary “The War on Disco,” airing Monday on PBS.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Books
Children’s author/illustrator Peter Brown brings his robot to the wilds of Maine
After years of living in big cities and creating stories set in wilderness, the best-selling author of the ‘Wild Robot’ series moved to the Midcoast last year.
Posted inThings to Do
Let there be fright: As Halloween nears, there’s plenty in Maine to be scared of
From truly spooky to really silly, we’ve assembled some haunting activities across the state that let the whole family get into the spirit of the season.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Local & State
Documentary spotlights Maine star of beloved Canadian children’s show
‘Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe’ explores the life of Auburn-born Ernie Coombs and is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.