Thanksgiving lives on at Alice's restaurant

GREAT BARRINGTON (NEWS10) - This Thanksgiving, a cherished tradition of community and generosity continues in the Berkshires, rooted in the legacy of Alice Brock and the iconic folk song that made her name a part of American folklore.

Alice, famously immortalized in Arlo Guthrie's 1967 classic Alice's Restaurant Massacree, passed away last week. The song, which recounts a Thanksgiving meal at a deconsecrated church where Alice lived and cooked, humorously evolves into a tale of rebellion and togetherness that has captivated listeners for decades.

Today, that spirit endures through the Guthrie Center, a non-denominational organization housed in the very building mentioned in the song. This year, the center is hosting its annual Thanksgiving dinner, welcoming around 150 people to share a meal and celebrate the enduring sense of community Alice embodied.

“It’s the true essence of the 1965 Thanksgiving that happened here with Alice, my dad, and the garbage and all of that,” said Annie Guthrie, executive director of the Guthrie Center and daughter of Arlo Guthrie. “It’s just good people getting together.”

Annie’s son, Mo Guthrie, now director of the center, emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming and safe space for all who walk through its doors.

“I have seen people’s days completely turned around just by being part of this community,” Mo said. “Somebody might walk in having a rough time, and you never know—this space can make all the difference.”

The Guthrie Center’s mission goes beyond Thanksgiving, offering a sense of belonging year-round. Joni Carron, minister of the church’s monthly Sunday service, noted the diverse group the center attracts.

“There are people who haven’t cooked in years and have no family, and there are also those who could have their own meals at home but choose to come here because it’s Alice’s Restaurant,” Carron said.

Mounted on the wall of the church is a letter Alice wrote in 2020, a year she couldn’t attend the Thanksgiving meal. Her words feel especially poignant this year, the first Thanksgiving since her passing:

“Tho I’m not at the table with you,” Alice wrote, “I am with you in spirit and maybe in the stuffing. With all the terrible and scary things happening in our world, today we can take the time to be thankful. Start with the little things—the plate of food in front of you, the warmth of a room full of people.”

Annie Guthrie reflected on Alice’s legacy of kindness and care. “We loved Alice, and I’ve known her my entire life. She started this—taking care of people, feeding people in this space. And so this year, we’re just going to keep doing it.”

Alice may no longer be at the table, but her legacy of compassion and community continues to bring people together, embodying the very spirit of Thanksgiving.