At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

“It’s A Wonderful Life.” What else is there to say? Tuesday, at 2:00 and at 7:00. First come, first served. Come very, very early for the night show or you won’t get a seat. Last year Sandy and I couldn’t see it because there wasn’t a bit of space left in the theater. Although there aren’t enough thank-you’s in the world to truly say thank you to this wonderful community for making us such a success, this is the way we have chosen to say it. And what could be better than seeing this superb and historic old film in this grand and historic old theater?

I think about this film all year round. I think about the philosophy behind it – that banks should be there for working stiffs, not just for the privileged. That sacrifice and love may or may not be rewarded in this life, and that a rare and decent soul shimmers with such brilliant light that it can soar across the universe to be noticed by the angels themselves.

I love the story, I love the characters, the actors, the photography. I love it when Donna Reed makes a home of a building so old and worn out it seems as if nothing could save it. I love the blatant and tingly sexuality of the phone call where Stewart realizes the enormity of his attraction to her. I love the sadness and the courage displayed when Stewart saves the town with the money he and Reed are going to use to travel with. I love the ending, so unlikely in real life, where the entire town comes to his rescue and where, when they all sing Auld Lang Syne, there isn’t a dry eye in the house.

I love that for two hours I am back in the living room in the modest home I grew up in, playing the piano while my aunt and my mother sing and my father plays the ukulele while my uncle saws away at the violin. I am back in a world of laughter and fun and parties where the ladies dress up (my mother owned all of one dressy dress) and the men wore their suits and the house was full of glamour and martinis (with an extra olive in my mothers.)

With the exception of the martinis (I tried one when I finally got old enough to imbibe, and oooooh….shiver….it didn’t taste a bit like I thought it would!) I want it all back! I do! I want a bell to ring and I want to walk into that wonderful house in the Poconos, and I want them all to be there. I don’t care whether they see me or not. I don’t care if we can communicate. I only want to see them. I want to hear them laugh at one of Aunt Lettie’s bawdy jokes. I want to see my mother’s eyes sparkle as she sits on the arm of the chair and sips her drink and sings Silent Night in her rich contralto voice.

I want to hear Pop trying desperately to fit the three chords he knew into a song you could actually sing with. I want to hear my Aunt Jule talk about their days as secretaries in New York, when they would come in late for work and their alcoholic boss only caught on that they were setting the clock back when a red ring appeared around the numbers – evidence of long red nails having pushed time back in the most literal fashion.

I see them in black and white. I hear them softly, from afar, as if angels are speaking, laughing, singing. For whatever reasons, when I see this movie, I go home again. It’s as close as I’ll ever be except for my dreams. I hope that is what this showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life” does for you. I hope it takes you back on the wings of time to a place where your loved ones dwell. I hope it gives you comfort and joy to be with them for that time. For isn’t it our memories, those bright shiny memories of other Christmases long gone, that fuel our joy, and our melancholy for the Christmas that is now. May even your sad memories bring you joy, because love, even when it is lost, always , always is better than not having loved at all.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Are you ready to see James Stewart and Donna Reed on the big screen again? We can’t wait for “It’s a Wonderful Life” day at the Dietrich. Join us on Tuesday, December 16th at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm for free showings of this classic holiday movie. This film is bound to put you in a holiday mood. Admission is free and popcorn and soda will be provided free of charge too. We would like to thank the P & G Mehoopany Employees Federal Credit Union for sponsoring “It’s a Wonderful Life” this year.

We have planned a fantastic line up of classes to look forward to in the new year for children of all ages. For three to five year olds we have planned weekly Mommy & Me Mixed Media classes and Preschool Art classes where young artists will explore the arts by using an assortment of materials including clay, tempera, watercolor and collage. We will also be offering Little People and Nature series with Rebecca Lesko of the Endless Mountains Nature Center in March.

Our artists-in-residence Amy and Steve Colley will be teaching an array of art classes for children ages 5 - 12. Steve will be teaching All About Painting, All About Drawing, and All About Pottery & Sculpture to students ages 9 to 12 and Amy will guide children ages 5 -8 on an adventure into all kinds of art in Mixed Media. Children ages 5 -12 are also welcome to Explore and Create Fairy Tales in a workshop in March with an Everhart Museum Educator, and then visit the exhibit that inspired the workshop with their families on April 3rd. Children can also learn history and quilting techniques as they create their very own Underground Railroad quilts in Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up.

For middle and high school students, the Dietrich will be offering After School Players again with directors Carl Canedy and Patti Dunning of First Act Children’s Theatre. From January 5th to February 21, students will learn all about theatre arts as they prepare to perform the comedy “Laugh-In” on the Dietrich stage. No experience is required and admission is free. Classes will be held at the Dietrich from 3:30 - 5:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Call the Dietrich at 996-1500 for more information or to sign up.

Before the new year, the Dietrich will be hosting a Holiday Camp on December 29, 30, and 31. Children ages 6 and up will be able to explore the arts by creating pottery, drawing and painting from 9:30 -11:00 am each day. Admission is $35 including materials. Call the Dietrich at 996-1500 for more information or to sign up.

And just a reminder, Dietrich Theater gift bags and poppers make great gifts for just about anyone on your list!

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

After School Players for Middle and High School Students

Students will learn all about theater arts as they prepare to perform the comedy "Laugh-In". Students will also provide input for the show and learn choreography. No experience is required. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

January 5 to February 21- Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructors: Carl Canedy & Patti Dunning, First Act Children's Theatre

All About Drawing, ages 9 - 12

Students will learn the basic concepts of drawing including line, shape, texture, value, color, and space while creating their own masterpieces.

Thursdays, February 12, 19, 26, March 5 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $35

Instructor: Steve Colley

All About Painting, ages 9 - 12

Students will learn the basics of perspective, line, color and value as they paint from life. All levels of experience welcome.

Thursdays, January 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

All About Pottery & Sculpture, ages 9 -12

Students will learn hand building techniques (coil and slab construction, glazing techniques, and experience using potter's wheels.

Thursdays, March 12, 19, 26, March 5 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35

Instructor: Steve Colley

All About Pottery for Mommy & Me

Create your own hand thrown bowls on a potter's wheel, design your own whistles and birdhouses in this pottery class for all levels of experience.

Fridays, November 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12 at 10:30 - 11:15 am.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Amy Colley

All About Pottery, ages 5 - 8

Create your own hand thrown bowls on a potter's wheel, design your own whistles and birdhouses in this pottery class for all levels of experience.

Fridays, November 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12 at 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Decorative Painting, ages 16 and up

Learn decorative painting techniques while creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. Preregistration required. Call 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm. Dec. 10, 17. February 11, 18, 25. April 15, 22, 29.

Admission: $20/class plus the cost of painting surfaces

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Explore and Create Fairy Tales, ages 5 -12

Go on a journey through magical lands, creative characters, and suprise endings! Write, draw, create and explore fairy tales from around the world based on the Everhart's special exhibit, Fairy Tale Art. Visit the exhibit with your family on April 3rd.

Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Bus Trip: Saturday, April 3 from 12:30 - 4:30 pm.

Admission: Free

Sponsored by: Pennsylvania Council on the Arts

Holiday Camp, for ages 5 - 12

Young artists will become familiar with pottery, drawing and painting as well as famous artists in this camp.

Monday - Wednesday, December 29, 30, and 31 from 9:30 -11:00 am

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Intergenerational Quilting, ages 13 and up

"Peaks & Valleys" - Develop quilting skills with this variation on the classic log cabin pattern. Students will learn the use of color and value and explore creating variations in their designs.

Wednesdays, January 14 - March 25 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6 per class

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller.

Jewelry Making: Art Clay Silver, for ages 16 and up

Have fun learning the basics of working with silver clay to create pieces of silver jewelry! Silver clay is made up of real silver particles, organic binder and water. After drying, the clay binder is burned off with a torch and what remains is 99.9% pure silver. Students will fabricate choice of rings, earring or pins!

Monday, March 30 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $60, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry Making: Introduction to Glass Fusing, for ages 16 and up

Learn the basics of small piece fused glass work. Each student will create a fused glass item which will be finished, polished, and wire wrapped.

Series 1 - Mondays, January 12 & 26 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Series 2 - Mondays, March 9 & 23 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $60 per series; materials will be provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry Making: Introduction to Stained Glass

Learn the first steps of working with glass to create stained glass pieces. Students will learn to work with a design, cut glass, polish, foil wrap and solder. Each student will leave with a finished item. All glass supplies and equipment will be supplied.

Monday, March 16 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $55

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Knit a Hat, ages 10 to adult

Learn how to knit a hat using round knitting needles. Choose from three hat styles. All materials are included.

Tuesdays, January 13 & 27 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $20

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Little People & Nature, for ages 3 to 5

Rebecca Lesko of the Endless Mountains Nature Center will teach little ones about Porcupines & 'Possums, Owls, Black Bears, and more of nature's wonders. These classes are sponsored by the Overlook Estate Foundation.

Series 1 - Tuesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24 from 10:00 - 11:00 am. Series 2 - Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25 from 10:00 - 11:00 am.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Rebecca Lesko

Mehoopany All About Drawing, ages 5 -12

Students will learn the basic concepts of drawing including line, shape, texture, value, color, and space while creating their own masterpieces.

Wednesdays, February 11, 18, 25, March 4 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Mehoopany All About Painting, ages 5 -12

Students will learn the basics of perspective, line, form, color, and value as they paint from life. All levels of experience welcome.

Wednesdays, January 12, 21, 28, Feb. 4 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Mehoopany All About Pottery & Sculpture. ages 5 to 12

Students will learn hand building techniques (coil and slab construction), glazing techniques and experience using potter's wheels.

Wednesdays, March 11, 18, 25, April 1 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Mehoopany Crafts fro Kids, ages 8 and up

Join Instructor Sarah Sidorek in making these fun crafts at the Mehoopany Outreach Studio. Preregistration is required. Call 570-996-1500.

Make It/Bake It Jewelry for Kids - Thursday, March 19 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Decoratively Paint a Frame - Thursday, March 26 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $5 per class.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Mixed Media, ages 5 - 8

Students will express themselves using different types of clay, paints, and drawing materials as they create their own masterpieces.

Fridays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Series 1 - January 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6. Series 2 - February 13, 20, 27, March 6. Series 3 - March 13, 20, 27, April 3.

Admission: $35

Instructor: Amy Colley

Mommy & Me Mixed Media, ages 3 to 5

Young artists and their moms, dads, or grandparents will create works of art using an assortment of materials including clay, tempera, watercolor and collage.

Fridays from 10:30 - 11:15 am. Series 1- January 16, 23, 30, Feb. 6. Series 2 - February 13, 20, 27, March 6. March 13, 20, 27, April 3.

Admission: $35

Instructor: Amy Colley

Open Studio: Painting, Drawing & Pottery - Nights

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own pace and with the medium of their choice.

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Series 1 - January 13, 20, 27, Feb. 3. Series 2 - February 10, 17, 24, March 3. Series 3 - March 10, 17, 24, 31.

Admission: $15/ class or $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Open Studio: Painting, Drawing, & Pottery - Days

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own pace and with the medium of their choice.

Mondays from 9:30 - 11:00 am. Series 1 - January 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2. Series 2 - February 9, 16, 23, March 2. Series 3 - March 9, 16, 23, 30.

Admission: $15/ class or $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Paint on Glass, ages 16 and up

Learn decorative painting techniques as you create a patio candle holder for your home or to give as a gift. All materials are supplied. No experience is required.

Tuesday, March 31 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $12

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 and up

This class is designed for students of all levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels and learn hand-building and sculpture techniques.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Series 1 - January 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2. Series 2 - February 9, 16, 23, March 2. Series 3 - March 9, 16, 23, 30.

Admission: $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Preschool Art, ages 3 to 5

Preschool students will explore the arts as they work with a variety of materials such as clay, tempera, watercolors, collage and more.

Thursdays from noon - 12:45. Series 1 - January 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5. Series 2 - February 12, 19, 26, March 5. Series 3 - March 12, 19, 26, April 2.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

"Underground Railroad" - Go on an adventure and learn techniques of quilting and stories behind this Civil War period quilt. Use reproduction time period fabrics as you create this quilt out of four patches.

Wednesdays, January 14 to March 25 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6.00/class

Instructors: Terry Keller, Peggy Lane, and Ingrid Rogler

Spanish for Adults, ages 16 and up

Students will learn basic Spanish phrases and vocabulary using a variety of teaching methods. Hispanic culture will also be explored. The class will be tailored to individuals' personal language learning goals.

Wednesdays, March 11 to April 15 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.

Admission: $30.

Instructor: Victoria Romero

Writers' Group

Come and read your work or listen and be inspired. Learn the craft of writing as you write towards a goal of publication. All genres and levels of writing are welcome.

Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Meetings are ongoing.

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for You

This class will teach and reinforce the basic yoga poses (asanas)which gently stretch and strengthen the body. Attention will be given to breathing and alignment in postures. Call 570-996-1500 to confirm dates. Please bring yoga mat or beach towel.

Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Call 570-996-1500 for class dates.

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo