Hundreds of businesses across the state share the same first name – Mainely – and find it’s an effective way to brand just about any product or service.
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
Richard Russo’s ‘Straight Man’ is back on campus in new AMC series
The show, called ‘Lucky Hank,’ is based on the 1997 novel and stars Bob Odenkirk as a small college professor in a mid-life crisis. The second episode airs Sunday.
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Posted inArts & Entertainment, Maine
Novel set in Damariscotta could become basis for Hulu series
‘The Midcoast’ author Adam White, who grew up in Damariscotta, said the series is being developed for the streaming service but has not gotten final approval.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Maine
Mainer moves writing conference from New York City back home
Shanna McNair is bringing The Writers Hotel conference to Boothbay Harbor after years in New York City. Maine writers scheduled to lead sessions include Tess Gerritsen, Cathie Pelletier and Lily King.
Posted inArts & Entertainment, Maine
Mainer who won Oscar recovering from urgent surgery after ceremony
Eric Saindon left a Los Angeles hospital Sunday, fighting pain, to attend the Academy Awards and pick up his first Oscar, for visual effects in the movie ‘Avatar: The Way of Water.’
Posted inThings to Do
St. Patrick’s Day is very much back and jam-packed with lively events
Irish music concerts, corned beef and cabbage, parties, a cold dip in the ocean and pub fun are among the St. Patrick’s Day events planned around southern Maine.
Posted inMaine, New England, News, Religion & Values
$3 million in federal funds will help preserve Maine Irish Heritage Center’s history
The center inside the old St. Dominic’s church building in Portland’s West End, a key piece of the area’s rich Irish identity, will get long-needed updates to the roof and brickwork.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
For Maine director Todd Field, making ‘Tár’ was worth the wait
The Midcoast resident went more than 16 years without directing a feature film, but now his movie ‘Tár’ is up for six Oscars, including best picture and best director. The Oscars will air at 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
Posted inMaine
Saturday’s storm packs a punch, though coast gets less than expected
The Portland jetport reported 8.5 inches Saturday evening, while inland towns such as Windham and South Paris recorded a foot or more.
Posted inAndroscoggin County, Arts & Entertainment
Durham man’s big-name musician friends turn up for benefit concert
After spending years on the road with the Grateful Dead and Blues Traveler, Greg Martens now organizes annual benefit concerts to fight hunger in Maine, featuring musician friends he met along the way.