Born in 1947, Arlo Guthrie followed his father, the iconic Woody Guthrie’s footsteps, and became a renowned folk singer with the release of his song Alice’s Restaurant in 1967. His whimsical and humorous lyrics became a theme that kindled a generations’ social consciousness and activism, and the song continues to resonate and with each subsequent generation.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the guitarist’s 1965 turkey-day meal, WGTE TV station will broadcast Guthrie’s live stage performance of Alice’s Restaurant on Thanksgiving evening at 8pm.
Guthrie day
The tradition started long ago on Thanksgiving Day. My brothers and I would help our mother, Alice, prepare thanksgiving dinner and we would burst out in the chorus of “You can get anything you want at Alice’s Restaurant.” The iconic 18 minute musical ditty is a, delightful monologue about true occurrences which take Guthrie from the local garbage dump, to Thanksgiving dinner, to his subsequent arrest for littering, and eventually to his physiological evaluation for the Vietnam draft.
Along with WGTE TV’s Thanksgiving evening broadcast, two local radio stations also play “the Thanksgiving song.” Eastern Michigan University’s 89.1 FM plays it several times between 8am and Noon along with other fun Blues-style food songs and Toledo’s 94.5 FM plays it around Noon and 4pm. Just like Guthrie let’s hope we all have “a Thanksgiving dinner that couldn’t be beat” somewhere in our past, present or future. For more on Guthrie visit arlo.net
Dinner view
While listening to Guthrie’s song, take the pretty rural drive to Maumee Bay State Park’s Water’s Edge Dining Room for a fantastic buffet-style Thanksgiving meal. It’s a grand, gourmet feast, as well as an incredible appetizer bar of smoked salmon, cheeses, warm and cold salads, shrimp cocktail and a full dessert bar. The large windows provide amazing panoramic views of the gently sunlit park, sandy beaches and the blue sparkling Lake Erie beyond. Cozy up to the fireplaces in the lounge, work off your meal, or take in the last of the fall colors on the meandering marshland Boardwalk Trail (handicap/wheelchair accessible).
Reservations requested. Thursday, November 26
$29.95/adults, $23.95/seniors, $10.95/kids 5-12yrs, free/4 & under (with adult meal)
1400 State Park Rd. Oregon
419-836-1466 | For park information/maps, visit parks.ohiodnr.gov/maumeebay; for menu/dinner information, visit maumeebaystateparklodge.com.
Autumn stars
Don’t miss a chance to gaze up into an array of dazzling planets, constellations and galaxies at the University of Toledo Ritter Planetarium’s Fall Skies Over Toledo program on Friday November 20th at 7:30pm). The planetarium dome is filled with breathtaking views of our local night sky while the staff leads you on a journey through the universe. You will never take Toledo’s night sky for granted again. Also see the breathtaking Pluto photos from the New Horizon mission. After the show everyone will walk over to the Brooks Observatory to view the night sky through the large telescope.
The planetarium will also host Santa’s Secret Star, a fun children’s program featuring Rudolph and Santa using the constellations to navigate to the North Pole.
Friday, November 27-Saturday, December 19
7:30pm Fridays, 1pm Saturdays
$7/adults, $5/children and seniors, free/under age 4
Ritter Planetarium, 2855 W. Bancroft St.
utoledo.edu/nsm/rpbo
