At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

This morning the ladies of the Dietrich attended the funeral of Peg Fassett. Funerals are not usually happy events, but I have to say that this was as close to being happy as a funeral could be. This was a not a dirge sung to loss, but rather a hallelujah sung to a life well lived. And certainly if you looked at her list of accomplishments, she was nearly an unstoppable powerhouse. She taught school, she was a pilot, a hunter, an organizer, a philanthropist. To do just one of those things might be exhausting to the average bear. But she did them all, apparently with class, intelligence and endless energy.

But I guess what moved me the most, what was most impressive about her life, was that this grand matriarch was loved, adored, revered by her family. They celebrated her life as they mourned her loss, and it was very, very clear how much they loved her. Her children, her grandchildren, her nieces and nephews told stories overflowing with love and laughter. Being there I could only hope that when my time comes, the memories I leave might be as loving as those I was hearing. That’s all any of us can hope for, isn’t it? That the mark we leave on this earth is a gentle one, painted with broad strokes of kindness and humor, framed in love.

You know, there just isn’t enough space in this column to talk about everything I want to talk about each week. I want to tell you about the wonderful trip to the Everhart museum on Saturday. Most of the 37 folks who went had never been to the museum before. They loved their private tour, their time at Nay Aug and their box lunch. It’s a great day. Try to come with us next year - - you’ll have fun, I promise.

Singer/Songwriter alert! August 30, a Wednesday night, will be our annual gathering of Singer/Songwriters with the likes of that irrepressible bear Lorne Clarke, the deeply mournful (and funny) Tom Flannery, the hilarious Shaun Z and the new and (I hear) completely delightful Josh Prat. The Singer/Songwriter night is one of my favorite of the year. The music is original, the performers old friends, and the ambience in the theater is mellow and relaxed. It’s simply a fun-filled night with old friends. How many times will five bucks buy you that?

Oh yeah. The movies. I’m supposed to write about them, aren’t I? So, Ant Bully didn’t do very well nationally or locally. It’s a pretty good movie, I hear, although it sank like a stone. But, you know how the movie biz goes, so it will be with us at least another week. However, take heart – because one great big rousing funny silly stupid dumb (did I say funny?) movie is coming to the rescue! Will Ferrell is coming in Talladega Nights, the “ballad of Ricky Bobby” the Nascar driver who can “only count to #1.” The trailers are hysterical and so, so dumb. I know the carnival is this week and I, for one, cannot wait to have clams, funnel cakes and blinis! (The food at our carnival is better than any other food in any other town in the USA! And I dare anyone to challenge that statement!) And of course, it raises money for the finest fire department probably in the state, maybe the country, perhaps the world. (I really, really mean that. Our local volunteer firemen are simply top notch.)

Anyway, as I started to say, I know it’s carnival and we want everyone to go, but save just a little time for the movies. You will love Talladega Nights. It’s a movie to relax with, have fun, bring the family to. (A little gross humor, but most kids have seen worse. Or something.)

Fall Film Festival starts September 15 with food, Little Miss Sunshine, Epicurean Delight desserts and then An Inconvenient Truth. Make your reservations soon for gala night. $30.00 per person. Food, wine, great movies, good company. As good as it gets.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

First I would to tell you how our Celebrate Our River Day turned out! If you remember it was pouring down rain on the morning of July 22nd and the forecast did not look like it was going to improve, but our Program Director, Margie Young, and John Williams, President of Tunkhannock Riverside Park Commission decided that the show must go on. So despite the weather, we went ahead with Celebrate Our River Day. And it turns out the weather cleared up about one hour before the start time! The bands that played were great! We had a great mix of bluegrass and new and old favorites. We would like to thank Retro Rocket, the Bluestone Mountain Boys Bluegrass Band, John Williams and Al Purdy for the great afternoon of entertainment! We estimate that about 200 people came out to hear the music and visit environmental groups. A kayak tour run by David Buck of Endless Mountain Outfitters made its final landing at the park during the event. It was a great day; I look forward to next year’s River Day.

For those of you, who love acoustic music, come out for our Fifth Annual Gathering of Singers and Songwriters on Wednesday, August 30th. It’s a fun night filled with rock and folk music with stories interspersed between the music. This year we will feature Tom Flannery, Shawn Z, Lorne Clarke and Josh Pratt. You may know these artists if you have gone to any of the Old Lynn Concerts.

Our Gathering of Singers and Songwriters Concert got its start in the summer of 2002, which was the beginning of cultural programming at the Dietrich with the hiring of Program Director Margie Young. She got the idea from a vacation she took to Tunkhannock before she came to live in the area. During that trip, she stopped at the Rain Forest Café (where Twigs Café and Restaurant now is) for a cup of coffee and live entertainment. From that experience, she realized that this area enjoys live folk music and she called George Graham of WVIA radio for the names of some local folk music artist. You may be familiar with George Graham if you have every listened to Homegrown Music or Mixed Bag on WVIA. George Graham referred Margie to Lorne Clarke and Lorne put together the first concert. It was so successful that we have held a Gathering of Singers and Songwriters Concert every year since.

It is a fun time, so come out on August 30th at 7:30 pm for a concert you won’t want to miss. Tickets are $5.00 and are available by calling the theater at 996-1500, or you can pick up tickets at the Dietrich Theater ticket booth during regular movie times.

And don’t forget, our Beginning Sudoku class starts up next Tuesday, August 8th at 7:00 pm. Learn the strategies of sudoku puzzles from instructor Gloria Fassett. Admission is free! Call the theater at 996-1500 to register.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Beginning Sudoku

Enjoy learning about and solving this fun and popular puzzle - sudoku! Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. There is no math involved. You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic. Caution: It's addictive!

Tuesdays, August 8 and 15 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Admission is free!

Instructor: Gloria Fassett

Decorative Painting, ages 16 and up

Learn decorative painting techniques while creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. Each project will be completed within one to two classes. All levels of experience welcome.

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm through August 31.

Cost: $15 per class plus the cost of the painting surface. Preregistration required.

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Kindermusik with Sarah Birchard

In Kindermusik summer camp, tots will blow music bubbles, play parachute and kite games, make yard art from a glue jar and sing! All of these summer camp activities are designed to nurture your child's natural curiousity and will draw him or her to learning new words, new numbers and new big ideas. For more information about Kindermusik contact Sarah at 570-965-2086.

Thursdays, July 27 through August 24. 18 months to 3 years: 9:30 - 10:30 am. 3 to 5 years: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm.

Contact Sarah about class fees at 570-965-2086.

Instructor: Sarah Birchard, certified Kindermusik instructor

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing & Pottery

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own pace and medium of their choice with instructor Steve Colley. A model will be provided for an additional fee if the group chooses.

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, August 8, 15, 22, 29.

Cost: $45 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A.

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 to adult

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. August 7, 14, 21, 28.

Cost: $45 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A.

Writers' Group

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

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

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for You

Accomodations will be made for beginners, experienced practitioners, and those with special needs. Call 570-996-1500 to confirm dates. Please bring yoga mat or beach towel.

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

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Instructors: Melissa Russo & Mary Frances Giordano: Certified Hatha Yoga Instructors