There's no place like home for college students returning to Lake Oswego, Oregon for Thanksgiving.

Dorothy had it right when she closed her eyes, clicked the heels of her ruby slippers and recited, “There’s no place like home, There’s no place like home.”  So did Perry Como when he sang, “There’s no place like home for the holidays.” The sentiment is especially true when “home” is Lake Oswego, Oregon. Check out what these college students have to say about coming home to the city of Lake Oswego for Thanksgiving.

CALI REIS, Lake Oswego high school grad at Santa Clara University: I love coming home for Thanksgiving because there are so many wonderful people to see! With such a small, personable community I am always running into someone I know everywhere I go. It is also nice to eat home cooked meals for a week instead of dorm food and usually our football teams are still in the playoffs so I’m able to support my high school.

GEORGE LIN, Lakeridge high school grad, attending USC: Coming home to Lake Oswego is really relaxing. Sure, the city is fun, but there is something about LO that makes it calming. It’s nice to experience the seasons as well. The sun isn’t all that great, believe it or not. I miss the cool weather and the laid back people. Lake Oswego has a homey feeling to it that cannot be described. Something about it makes you want to go home.

BRETT KEHOE, Lake Oswego high school grad, attending Santa Clara University: I love going back to places I spent a lot of time at throughout my high school years. It’s really fun to go back and see my old teachers and hear about how my younger siblings are doing with some of the same teachers I had. And going back to Zeppo, where I worked for two years off and on in high school, is always really fun because a lot of the same people still work there, and the work staff there is like a big family which I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of.

ERIK HILLIER, Lakeridge high school grad, attending Monterey Pacific College: When I get to visit home, I’m sure to hit Miss Kim’s (also known as Oishi Sushi and Teriyaki) and Señor Taco as well as Lakeridge to see old teachers and coaches. I also like to scope out the lake because when you leave Lake Oswego, you realize how beautiful it really is.

 KATY WENDLAND, Lake Oswego high school grad, attending Santa Clara University: I love coming home for Thanksgiving so that my family can all be together for once instead of spread across three different states. It reminds me of when I was younger, and I love that feeling. I’m also super excited to go to my favorite restaurant,  Zeppo, and pumped that the seasonal special at Burgerville will be sweet potato fries because they are my favorite.

ROBBIE MAGILL, Lakeridge high school grad, attending Oregon State: The most important reason to come home for Thanksgiving is definitely spending time with my family. We enjoy a huge home cooked meal together, go to the movies and knock out some early Christmas shopping. I’m also looking forward to some Señor Taco burritos and good quality sushi when I get into LO.

BEN SWINFORD, Lakeridge high school grad, attending Cornell: My favorite parts of coming home to Lake Oswego for Thanksgiving are: catching up with family and friends, saying hi to old teachers and coaches, throwing on the dry-suit to go waterskiing and wakeboarding, boating to downtown with the family to get dinner, not freezing every time I step outside (thank you upstate New York for this new appreciation), and the Turkey Bowl—annual football game with friends on the Saturday after Thanksgiving at the high school. (Since he is back in New York going to school, Ben won’t be able to make it home for Thanksgiving this year).

Here are a few more reasons why “There’s no place like home for the holidays” here in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Catch these four holiday events this upcoming weekend:

LAKERIDGE HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY BAZAAR Saturday, November 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the high school located at 1235 Overlook Drive, Lake Oswego, Oregon. This is a first-time event sponsored by the Freshman class so why not support it and get a head start on your holiday shopping.

THANKSGIVING REUNION MARKET Saturday, November 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Millennium Plaza Park. Here’s a cure for Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market withdrawal. Close to 30 vendors will be on hand to help you stock up for your Thanksgiving feast including Blue Ribbon Bakery, Hoffman’s Dairy Farms, Zoe Ann’s Cheesecakes and DeNoble Farms. For entertainment, there is live music by Sky in the Road from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and hay rides through downtown Lake Oswego. Cost is $3 for 10 and older, $1 for 3-9 year olds and free for children under 3.

WHITE CHRISTMAS presented by the Lakewood Theatre Company Thursday through Saturday, November 17-19 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 20 at 7 p.m. at the Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street in Lake Oswego. Performances continue through December 18. Check the schedule for times.

OSWEGO HERITAGE COUNCIL HOLIDAY ART SHOW AND SALE Saturday, November 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 pm and Sunday, November 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Heritage House, 398 10^th Street. Let local artists make your gift giving easy and memorable.

What’s your favorite thing about being home for the Thanksgiving holiday? Let us know.

And if you enjoyed reading this post, consider subscribing by clicking the “Sign me up” button in the top right hand column.