and sent to a park to live out the rest of their usually short natural lives. Alternatives to turkey Entrees other than turkey are sometimes served at Thanksgiving dinner, either alongside the turkey or in place of it as the main dish. Baked ham is served at Thanksgiving in many households. Roasted goose or duck, foods which were traditional European centerpieces of Christmas dinners, are sometimes served in place of a Thanksgiving turkey. Italian Americans might serve capon as the main course to the Thanksgiving meal. Irish Americans might have prime rib as their centerpiece; since beef in Ireland was once a rarity, families would save up money for this dish to signify newfound prosperity and hope. Sometimes, fowl native to the region where the meal is taking place are used; for example, Texas Monthly magazine suggested quail as a main dish. In a few areas on the West Coast of the United States, Dungeness crab is common as an alternate main dish, as crab season starts in early November. Similarly, Thanksgiving falls within deer hunting season in the Northeastern United States, and as such venison is sometimes used as a centerpiece. In Alaskan villages, whale meat is sometimes eaten. John Madden, a commentator on televised NFL Thanksgiving Day games from 1981 to 2001, advocated for turducken: deboned turkey, duck and chicken nested inside each other and then cooked. At the other end of the spectrum, vegetarians or vegans may choose a tofu, seitan, or lentil-based substitute such as tofurky, or serve vegetable-based dishes such as stuffed squash, which are more often considered sides. Vegetarian menus for Thanksgiving date back to at least 1897, when they were discussed by the Vegetarian Club of the University of Chicago. Due to the impacts of immigration in the United States, an international approach to Thanksgiving has become common. Basic Thanksgiving dishes can be transformed by using flavors, techniques, and traditions from immigrants' own cuisines. Others celebrate the holiday with a variety of standard and multicultural dishes, particularly when there is a crowd to be fed, as guests' tastes can vary. A live raccoon was sent from Mississippi to the White House intended to be served for the 1926 Thanksgiving feast. Calvin and Grace Coolidge decided to keep her as a pet instead, and named her Rebecca. Side dishes Many offerings are typically served alongside the main dish. Copious leftovers are also common following