Thanksgiving's Over, But There's Still Lots to Do

Get out and enjoy the holiday weekend

What's Your Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dish?

Tell us what fills your plate, and share memories and recipes in the comments

Thanksgiving is one of the ultimate food holidays. Just about everything to do with the day is centered around food: Shopping for it, preparing it, eating it, watching football after eating it because you're too stuffed to do anything else. It's also about tradition. Woe be unto those who decide they want to make glazed carrots instead of the usual green bean casserole. They could end up getting booked on a guilt trip. When we gather together at the Thanksgiving table, what dish do you reach for after (or before) the turkey? What is the one dish that must be there no matter what? For my sister, it's creamed onions. For my father-in-law, it's sweet potato casserole.  Have you ever shaken up the Thanksgiving menu, and how was that received …

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Get in Gear for Thanksgiving Travel

Here are some things to know before you hit the road

Updated 8:15 a.m. Wednesday If you're heading over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house for Thanksgiving, you're not going to be alone. AAA is expecting the number of Americans traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday to increase again. AAA estimates that 43.6 million Americans will take trips of 50 miles or more for the holiday. In 2011, 43.3 million people traveled for Thanksgiving. This would be the fourth straight year Thanksgiving travel has gone up since the economic crash of 2008, when only 37.8 million people traveled. So far, gas prices haven't shot up ahead of the holiday. As of Wednesday morning, gas was $3.41 a gallon at the True North/Shell on Crcoker Road. The weather also looks good for Thanksgiving travel …

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Thanksgiving Dinner to Go: Give Yourself a Break

Lots of local options to help make your Thanksgiving dinner easy as pie. Mmm...pie...

What's Open, Closed in Westlake for Thanksgiving?

What you need to know as you prepare for the holiday

There's a lot to do in the final days before Thanksgiving. Whether you're hosting the family feast or going over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house, you may need to make a last dash to the store.  Here are some key things to know as the holiday approaches. Federal, state and county government offices: Closed Thanksgiving. Westlake City Hall: Closed Thanksgiving. Westlake City Schools: Closed Wednesday, Closed Thanksgiving, closed Friday. Post Office: Closed Thanksgiving, no mail delivery. Trash removal: A one-day delay for homes on the Thursday and Friday routes. Westlake Porter Public Library: Closes at 5 p.m. Wednesday, closed Thanksgiving. Westlake Recreation Center: Closed Thanksgiving. Banks: Closed Thanksgiving. …

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Thanksgiving Feasts To Go: All the Trimmings, None of the Work

Too busy to cook or have you burned the turkey? Patch to the rescue. Check out this list of restaurants and grocery stores that will take care of your Thanksgiving Feast.

There's no rule that says you have to cook on Thanksgiving and while eating out eliminates the need to clean up, you could enjoy the comfort of home without the work by ordering Thanksgiving to go. Many of these places need you to order in advance.  (*some places require advance ordering) BUBBA'S Q 820 Center Road Avon 440-937-7859 Features Bubba's Q smoked turkeys and brown glazed hams. Contact catering for further details. Carriage House Bakery & Market 36741 Detroit Road Avon Features takeout holiday side dishes, desserts and other bread based bakery for Thanksgiving. Giant Eagle 31990 Walker Rd.  Avon Lake 440-933-5078 Features pre-made traditional Thanksgiving meal, turkey, side dishes and dessert. Order by November 18, 2012 Heinen's …

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What Are You Thankful For This Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is almost here. Tell us what you’re thankful for in the comments.

Sure, there’s the turkey and pumpkin pie. And there’s football for sports fans and parades for the kids and early morning shopping for the deal-seekers. But Thanksgiving is also a day about reflection. It’s a day to stop and think about all the good in our lives. So we want to know: when all is said and done, what are you giving thanks for this year? It can be silly or sweet, simple or profound. We just want to hear it. Here are a few responses from Patch readers in the region. Check them out, and then tell us what you’re grateful for in the comments. Dawn Blythe of Jackson Township said: “I'm thankful for a husband who provides so I can be a stay at home mom! We may not have a fancy house, the nicest cars, or the newest things, but I can …

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