Of course, I made popcorn a couple of times for the big crowds because that’s something that isn’t computerized so I can still do it. But I have to say that it’s hard for an old lady to stand there for forty-five minutes at a shot and just keep making popcorn. By the end of the night I’m pretty much worn out!

And as much as I really do love making the popcorn, it’s not as much fun in the new concession stand. It’s the only thing I don’t love about the expansion. Before, when I popped corn, I could visit with folks coming through the lines, and I was always delighted to see the faces of the children watching with wonder as the popping corn spilled out of the kettle in great delicious waves.

But now I feel like a priest before Vatican 2 – my back is to the people in line and I only get to say hi to folks if I actually take a tiny break from popping and place a bag or two on the counter. Now, I’m not complaining – our little stand could never have withstood the kind of crowds we had this weekend. Still, sometimes you can get nostalgic for things that were less efficient but far friendlier.

Therefore, I have decided to learn to work the computer to sell tickets. That way I can greet everyone and say “hey” and chat a bit because that’s my favorite thing – to look at the dear people who come into the Dietrich. And if I can’t see them while I’m popping corn then by golly I’m just going to learn to do something where I can visit a bit while I’m working.

We have some terrific movies for you over the holiday weekend. We have The Fantastic Mr. Fox with the wonderful voices of George Clooney and Meryl Streep. It’s gotten a 97% terrific rating on the rotten tomatoes site (and they simply compile all the critics and add them up). It’s perfect family entertainment for foxes of all ages. Then, for the wee ones we have Planet 51, a precious little tale that won’t scare the kiddies and will make them laugh from beginning to end.

Then for the grown-ups we have the incredible 2012 – the disaster movie to end all disaster movies! It’s a fun, scary, wild roller coaster of a ride and if you haven’t seen it, do try to catch it over the holiday. It really has to be seen on the big screen! (Honest.)

And finally we have the second week of New Moon which, I have to say, is delighting teens and their mums all over the world. If you have waited until some of the crush was over, then this is a fine time to catch up with the sexy vampire and his lovely Bella.

We’ll have Old Dogs and Blind Side for you very soon, so wait to see it (please please please) at your very own local, non-profit small town theater!

And now we’re at the beginning of the holiday season, with Thanksgiving leading the way, setting the gold standard for fine meals. Jennie’s been a bit under the weather so I thought maybe we shouldn’t do the big meal this year. After all, what’s the fun of fixing a big meal if your best pal can’t enjoy it? But she insisted – after all, what would Mamma say if we didn’t have those mountains of mashed potatoes, piles of rutabagas, bowls of onions swimming in white sauce, fresh made cranberry sauce, a (free range, of course) great brown, crispy, right out of Norman Rockwell turkey and about a boatload of gravy? Why, she’d be shocked, that’s what! And heaven knows, we need to keep Mamma’s memory close to our hearts as we fix this yearly feast of thanksgiving and remembrance.

Bless you all, and your Mamma’s and your Daddies and all of you gathered together to celebrate life. How deeply, infinitely joyous.

See you at the Dietrich.

Last Saturday Rick Koval gave a fascinating presentation on Camouflage and Mimicry at the Dietrich. Over sixty people of all ages came out to find out about the variety of animals and insects that use these adaptations to avoid detection. Before this presentation, I did not realize how many animals, birds, and insects that are native to Pennsylvania use these techniques. At the end of the program, Rick gave a "quiz" which had us guessing where animals were hidden and disguised in photos he had taken. I was amazed to find out that I could not find over half of them without his help. It was also a hoot to hear children yell out their answers of what animals were hidden in the pictures and where they were located. They were definitely engaged by it. Rick was so well received that we will be bringing him back for another nature program in February. Stay tuned for more information.

Then on Monday I had a chance to sneak a peak at what students were working on in our Elves Workshop 2. When I walked in I could hear Christmas music playing in the background as the "elves" where busy working on their woven and folded ornaments. In the center of the table where the students were working there was a miniature Christmas tree decorated with a variety of natural ornaments for inspiration. Master basketry artist Susi Nuss was showing the class how to create woven wreaths out of black ash and ribbons. They also created folded star ornaments. By the end of the class series they should have a wonderful collection of holiday decorations.

Speaking of the holidays, the Dietrich will be hosting an art class for kids during their Christmas vacation called Holiday Camp. On Monday through Wednesday December 28, 29, 30, students ages five to twelve will be able to explore the arts each day from 10 am to 11:30 am. They will create sculptures, pottery, drawings and paintings under the direction of Steve Colley. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to use their creativity and imagination during their break. Admission is $35 and all materials are provided. The Dietrich offers class gift certificates, so for the child who has everything, a gift certificate for Holiday Camp may be the perfect gift for under the tree. Call us at 570-996-1500 for more information about class gift certificates.

In addition to featuring holiday events and blockbuster movies in December, the Dietrich will be hosting two theatre related events. On Tuesday, December 8 at 7 pm, join us for an evening of radio plays with the Dietrich’s own Radio Players. This year the group will perform "You Can’t Take It With You". This will be the first time the players will perform an hour-long show. I can’t wait to see what sound effects Bob Kulow comes up with for it. Admission is free.

Then on Saturday, December 12 from 10 am to 4 pm, the Dietrich will hold its second day of auditions for the play based on John Steinbeck’s epic "The Grapes of Wrath". For this community theatre project, we are looking for actors and musicians. Needed are seven women ages 14 - 80, and 18 men, ages 12 - 80, and musicians who play guitar, banjo, fiddle and other instruments for folk/country/bluegrass music.

Actors will be asked to read from the script; copies of scenes are available at the theater and on our website, www.dietrichtheater.com <http://www.dietrichtheater.com>. Musicians will be asked to play a short piece of their choice. Everyone is encouraged to audition. If you are interested in working behind the scenes please let us know, we’d be more than happy to have your help. Whatever your experience level, lots to little, all are welcome! The play, directed by Jennifer Jenkins, will be presented March 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, 2010. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for more information about the project or to make an appointment to audition.

Movie Times: (570)836-1022

	Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at the Dietrich! Upcoming Events Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas At the Dietrich Theater in downtown Tunkhannock Friday, December 4 at 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm. Admission: Free Brought to you in part by the Jim Henson Legacy Foundation Enjoy the favorite Jim Henson Christmas movie about a poor otter family who risks everything for the chance to win the cash prize of a talent contest for Christmas. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for details. Holiday Workshop, for all ages Saturday, December 5 from 11 am - 12:30 pm. Admission: Free Sponsored by: Angelo Ventresca Associates, LLC. Get into the holiday spirit! All ages are invited to come out and enjoy a morning of cookie decorating, holiday crafts, singing, and creations by the balloon lady. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for details. Dietrich Radio Players Performance At the Dietrich Theater in downtown Tunkhannock Tuesday, December 8 at 7:00 pm. Presented by the Dietrich Theater Radio Players Admission: Free The Dietrich Theater Radio Players are back for another live show. Come to the Dietrich and see their performance of favorite radio plays with sound effects and old time commercials. Enjoy the "theater of the mind"! Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for details. It’s a Wonderful Life At the Dietrich Theater in downtown Tunkhannock Tuesday, December 15 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm. Admission: Free Seating is first come, first serve. Enjoy two free showings of this classic holiday film. Admission, popcorn, and soda are free. Seating is limited. No reservations. Sponsored by: Tri County General Insurance, Sybilla Ruark Lenz New York Life, and Swetland Insurance Agency.
www.DietrichTheater.com Wednesday, November 25, 2009
At The Dietrich by Hildy Morgan What an incredible weekend! We broke every record ever held at the Dietrich! We had sellout after sellout after sellout! New Moon beat expectations by literally millions of dollars, and the Dietrich reflected that in the size of the crowds who filled the theater show after show. What I found amazing is all the folks I didn’t know in the crowd. Our audiences must have come in from the valley as well as the closer surrounding counties. Makes sense since Cinemark had been sold out of most shows for many days. Of course, I made popcorn a couple of times for the big crowds because that’s something that isn’t computerized so I can still do it. But I have to say that it’s hard for an old lady to stand there for forty-five minutes at a shot and just keep making popcorn. By the end of the night I’m pretty much worn out! And as much as I really do love making the popcorn, it’s not as much fun in the new concession stand. It’s the only thing I don’t love about the expansion. Before, when I popped corn, I could visit with folks coming through the lines, and I was always delighted to see the faces of the children watching with wonder as the popping corn spilled out of the kettle in great delicious waves. But now I feel like a priest before Vatican 2 – my back is to the people in line and I only get to say hi to folks if I actually take a tiny break from popping and place a bag or two on the counter. Now, I’m not complaining – our little stand could never have withstood the kind of crowds we had this weekend. Still, sometimes you can get nostalgic for things that were less efficient but far friendlier. Therefore, I have decided to learn to work the computer to sell tickets. That way I can greet everyone and say “hey” and chat a bit because that’s my favorite thing – to look at the dear people who come into the Dietrich. And if I can’t see them while I’m popping corn then by golly I’m just going to learn to do something where I can visit a bit while I’m working. We have some terrific movies for you over the holiday weekend. We have The Fantastic Mr. Fox with the wonderful voices of George Clooney and Meryl Streep. It’s gotten a 97% terrific rating on the rotten tomatoes site (and they simply compile all the critics and add them up). It’s perfect family entertainment for foxes of all ages. Then, for the wee ones we have Planet 51, a precious little tale that won’t scare the kiddies and will make them laugh from beginning to end. Then for the grown-ups we have the incredible 2012 – the disaster movie to end all disaster movies! It’s a fun, scary, wild roller coaster of a ride and if you haven’t seen it, do try to catch it over the holiday. It really has to be seen on the big screen! (Honest.) And finally we have the second week of New Moon which, I have to say, is delighting teens and their mums all over the world. If you have waited until some of the crush was over, then this is a fine time to catch up with the sexy vampire and his lovely Bella. We’ll have Old Dogs and Blind Side for you very soon, so wait to see it (please please please) at your very own local, non-profit small town theater! And now we’re at the beginning of the holiday season, with Thanksgiving leading the way, setting the gold standard for fine meals. Jennie’s been a bit under the weather so I thought maybe we shouldn’t do the big meal this year. After all, what’s the fun of fixing a big meal if your best pal can’t enjoy it? But she insisted – after all, what would Mamma say if we didn’t have those mountains of mashed potatoes, piles of rutabagas, bowls of onions swimming in white sauce, fresh made cranberry sauce, a (free range, of course) great brown, crispy, right out of Norman Rockwell turkey and about a boatload of gravy? Why, she’d be shocked, that’s what! And heaven knows, we need to keep Mamma’s memory close to our hearts as we fix this yearly feast of thanksgiving and remembrance. Bless you all, and your Mamma’s and your Daddies and all of you gathered together to celebrate life. How deeply, infinitely joyous. See you at the Dietrich.	Now Showing www.dietrichtheater.com/movie or (570)836-1022 for times The Fantastic Mr. Fox November 25, 2009 - December 3, 2009 NEW MOON- Twilight November 20, 2009 - December 18, 2009 PLANET 51 November 20, 2009 - December 3, 2009 2012 November 13, 2009 - December 3, 2009 Coming Soon www.dietrichtheater.com/preview or (570)836-1022 for times OLD DOGS December 11, 2009 The Princess and the Frog December 11, 2009 Events www.dietrichtheater.com/event or (570)996-1500 to reserve The Grapes of Wrath Audition Notice March 10, 2010 - March 14, 2010 Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas December 4, 2009 - December 4, 2009 Holiday Workshop December 5, 2009 Dietrich Radio Players Performance December 8, 2009 It's a Wonderful Life December 15, 2009 - December 15, 2009 Classes www.dietrichtheater.com/class or (570)996-1500 to enroll Mask Making for ages 3 to 5 November 12, 2009 - December 11, 2009 Mixed Media, ages 5 - 12 November 12, 2009 - December 11, 2009 Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up September 16, 2009 - December 9, 2009 Intergenerational Quilting, ages 13 and up September 16, 2009 - December 9, 2009 Open Studio for Painting, Drawing & Pottery September 15, 2009 - December 1, 2009 Decorative Painting, for ages 16 and up August 26, 2009 - December 16, 2009 Golden Days of Radio Players Group October 13, 2009 - December 8, 2009 Introduction to Stained Glass November 30, 2009 Open Studio: Painting, Drawing, & Pottery - Days September 14, 2009 - November 30, 2009 Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 and up August 24, 2009 - November 30, 2009 Holiday Camp, ages 5 to 12 December 28, 2009 - December 30, 2009	Live at The Dietrich by Erica Rogler Last Saturday Rick Koval gave a fascinating presentation on Camouflage and Mimicry at the Dietrich. Over sixty people of all ages came out to find out about the variety of animals and insects that use these adaptations to avoid detection. Before this presentation, I did not realize how many animals, birds, and insects that are native to Pennsylvania use these techniques. At the end of the program, Rick gave a "quiz" which had us guessing where animals were hidden and disguised in photos he had taken. I was amazed to find out that I could not find over half of them without his help. It was also a hoot to hear children yell out their answers of what animals were hidden in the pictures and where they were located. They were definitely engaged by it. Rick was so well received that we will be bringing him back for another nature program in February. Stay tuned for more information. Then on Monday I had a chance to sneak a peak at what students were working on in our Elves Workshop 2. When I walked in I could hear Christmas music playing in the background as the "elves" where busy working on their woven and folded ornaments. In the center of the table where the students were working there was a miniature Christmas tree decorated with a variety of natural ornaments for inspiration. Master basketry artist Susi Nuss was showing the class how to create woven wreaths out of black ash and ribbons. They also created folded star ornaments. By the end of the class series they should have a wonderful collection of holiday decorations. Speaking of the holidays, the Dietrich will be hosting an art class for kids during their Christmas vacation called Holiday Camp. On Monday through Wednesday December 28, 29, 30, students ages five to twelve will be able to explore the arts each day from 10 am to 11:30 am. They will create sculptures, pottery, drawings and paintings under the direction of Steve Colley. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to use their creativity and imagination during their break. Admission is $35 and all materials are provided. The Dietrich offers class gift certificates, so for the child who has everything, a gift certificate for Holiday Camp may be the perfect gift for under the tree. Call us at 570-996-1500 for more information about class gift certificates. In addition to featuring holiday events and blockbuster movies in December, the Dietrich will be hosting two theatre related events. On Tuesday, December 8 at 7 pm, join us for an evening of radio plays with the Dietrich’s own Radio Players. This year the group will perform "You Can’t Take It With You". This will be the first time the players will perform an hour-long show. I can’t wait to see what sound effects Bob Kulow comes up with for it. Admission is free. Then on Saturday, December 12 from 10 am to 4 pm, the Dietrich will hold its second day of auditions for the play based on John Steinbeck’s epic "The Grapes of Wrath". For this community theatre project, we are looking for actors and musicians. Needed are seven women ages 14 - 80, and 18 men, ages 12 - 80, and musicians who play guitar, banjo, fiddle and other instruments for folk/country/bluegrass music. Actors will be asked to read from the script; copies of scenes are available at the theater and on our website, www.dietrichtheater.com <http://www.dietrichtheater.com>. Musicians will be asked to play a short piece of their choice. Everyone is encouraged to audition. If you are interested in working behind the scenes please let us know, we’d be more than happy to have your help. Whatever your experience level, lots to little, all are welcome! The play, directed by Jennifer Jenkins, will be presented March 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, 2010. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 for more information about the project or to make an appointment to audition.
Movie Times: (570)836-1022 General Information: (570)996-1500