At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

What a week it’s been here at the Dietrich! So much fun! First off, Ron Williams called me to tell me that Vito Barziloski is donating a 30 foot tree to us for Christmas! Thirty foot! It’s going to be so gorgeous! And then our Stephen brought us boxes and boxes of lights donated to us by a company in New York! Donated! Does it get better than this? Ooooh. That lot is going to be so. So gorgeous! And even though that ugly old building will still be standing, it’s going to be all dressed up with a red bow and be part of Christmas, too. Oh, don’t you just love the holidays? When I was a child Christmas was such a magical time and I think when you had wondrous Christmases as a child, that sense of wonder and joy never leave you.

So the Arts Fair was stupendous. Well attended, most vendors did reasonably well, and the Friday night party went swimmingly. And this is really cool – Jan Henning’s water color collage will be used for the cover of the Visitor’s Bureau brochure! Way to go, Jan! (It’s really, really beautiful.) So thanks a million times to our dear Connie Kintner who is such a bundle of energy and good will that no electricity is needed around her. She lights up a room all by herself, thank you.

Okay. A couple more cultural things to bring to your attention. Bless the folks at Kiwanis. They are underwriting the Holiday Workshop we do every year as part of Christmas in Our Hometown. And not only are they underwriting it, but they’re sending volunteers to help! (We really need the volunteers since we are mobbed that day.) Oh yeah – and then there’s the Scranton Civic Ballet. One of their volunteers, Mrs. Emmanuelson (wife of cute oncologist) called and said they would love to give us some tickets for the ballet. Whoa. That’s cool with us. So we rented a bus and we’re going to take anyone who wants to go (I think the bus holds 45) to see The Nutcracker and to partake in the holiday workshops for the kiddies being held right there at the Scranton Cultural Center. Won’t cost you a dime. So call 996-1509 and sign up. Bring the kiddies. What a great opportunity.

Finally, this Saturday we are presenting A War In Letters by Mary Beth Voda. This is the real thing, folks. Real letters written by a U.S. Marine to his wife and another batch written by a Japanese General to his. There will be a reception honoring our veterans following the reading. What a grand way to spend Veteran’s Day!

Finally to the movies. One last week for Flushed Away. People have loved it – very funny. More to the liking of adults than kids, perhaps, but very witty indeed. Santa Clause Three is great fun for the kiddies, especially with the appearance of Martin Short. It really is a very fun movie and the families who have come have loved it.

Mark November 17 on your calendars. That’s when Happy Feet hits the big screen. Jeffrey saw it and said, and I quote, “It’s a miracle of a movie.” He said it’s one of the best films in years! In years! So save that weekend. And remember you can always buy advance tix to be sure of a seat.

One more cultural thingie – (these cultural people are killin’ me). The Writer’s Workshop – Writing For The Hot Markets – will fill up fast and it’s very limited. So sign up soon. And work on those two pages you’re bringing for the critique. You don’t get many opportunities like this one for the price!

There. I think I’ve told you everything. Now I can go rest. I’m exhausted! (Perhaps a shot of popcorn would help.)

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Commemorate Veterans’ Day this Saturday by joining us for “A War in Letters”, a memorable and educational program with author and lecturer Mary Beth Kennedy Voda at the Dietrich. Voda will provide a glimpse of World War II through the correspondence of her father, Tom Kennedy who served in the Marines during World War II and Japanese General Kuribayashi. Like many thousands of families separated by war, Tom and his wife Milly Kennedy corresponded faithfully, writing volumes of letters, sometimes as many as three a day. Like Kennedy, Kuribayashi was a devoted family man who corresponded regularly with his wife, Yoshie, and their three children. During World War II, the destinies of these two men converged on a tiny Pacific island called Iwo Jima. Although age, culture, and ideology separated Kuribayashi & Kennedy, their ties to home joined them in a bond that was personal as well as universal. This is their story. The presentation will begin at 11 am on Saturday, November 11th and admission is free. A reception honoring veterans will follow the program. Mary Beth Voda of Wyalusing, PA, is a speaker, writer and former teacher.

Another event coming up at the Dietrich will be our Golden Days of Radio Players performance. Under the direction of Valerie Paulus, participants are producing two old radio plays for their live performance on Tuesday, December 5th at 7:00 pm. From having seen their previous performances, I can tell you that the sound effects are fantastic and it is neat to hear old commercials. This year the Radio Players will be performing "The Topaz Flower” and Fibber McGee and Molly in “The Scrap Collection”.

“The Topaz Flower” was originally broadcast on April 24, 1947. In it a wealthy patriarch is murdered. Who was the culprit? His neer-do-well son? His favorite niece? Perhaps the butler did it. There are many more characters who had the motive, money, of course, and the opportunity. What is the Topaz Flower? How does it lead the way to finding the killer? Follow Captain Tom Bane as he unravels the mystery in this old
fashioned "who done it."

And "The Scrap Collection" was originally broadcast on Tuesday, April 7, 1942.
Have you ever heard of "Fibber McGee's Closet"? In this episode, that infamous closet takes a leading role along with the usual cast of characters Fibber and Molly greet on their show. Mrs. Uppington, with her "uppity" attitude and Teeny, who always seems to get Fibber's goat, are only two of the hilarious characters we'll meet. Let's see and hear
how they help or hinder Fibber and Molly's attempt at doing their civic duty. Sounds like fun, right? So join us for these performances. Admission is free.

The Dietrich and Pennwriters, Inc. will co host a special workshop entitled “Writing for the Hot Markets” at the Dietrich on Saturday, December 2nd from 9 am - 3 pm. Learn about writing for these markets from featured authors Eileen Berger (inspirational), Ty Drago (science fiction) and Charlee Ganny (paranormal romance). Bring the first two pages of a work-in-progress for critique. Admission is $25, which includes lunch. Call the Dietrich at 996-1500 to make reservations. Seating is limited.

Oh, and now is the time to sign up for a November art class! We have Pottery and Sculpture, Painting on Glass, and Open Studio for adults. Children can experience art in our Mixed Media class, Drawing and Painting for Kids, or quilting. And by special request, the Dietrich will be bringing back Mosaic Design. On Mondays and Tuesday, December 4, 5,11, 12 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, learn basic mosaic techniques as you create and assemble your own mosaic design using ceramic tile. Call the Dietrich at 996-1500 for information about any of these classes.

And finally, we at the Dietrich would like to express our gratitude to all of those who attended our first Festival of Fine Arts and Crafts as well as all of those who helped make it possible. Thank you.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

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. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm, through November 29.

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

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Drawing & Painting for Kids, ages 9 -12

Students will learn the basics of perspective, line, form, color and value as they draw and paint from life. All levels of experience welcome. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Thursdays, November 9, 16, 30, Dec. 7 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Cost: $35, all materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley, M.F.A.

Golden Days of Radio Player Group

Come back with us to those thrilling days of radio drama and comedy. Join us as we prepare a radio play production. Together we will explore the magic of "The Theater of the Mind". Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Tuesdays, through December 5 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission is free!

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Holiday Camp, ages 6 and up

Young artists will become familiar with pottery, drawing and painting as well as famous artists in this camp. Enjoy one day of camp or explore the arts in all three classes. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

From 9:30 - 11:00 am, December 27 - Pottery, December 28 - Drawing, December 29 - Painting

Admission is $15 per class or $35 for all three classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Holiday Crafts, for ages 8 to adult

Students will make a selection of holiday crafts including beeswax candles by the dipping method, wreath making, a large willow star. and several woven holiday tree ornaments. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

October 5, 12, 19, Nov. 2, 16, 30 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm.

Admission: $60, all materials included.

Instructor: Bonnie Gale

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages

"Cathedral of the Pines" - Learn the art of quilting while making a majestic "Pine Tree" pattern quilt. Create special nature effects with fabric. Learn about other classic tree blocks and quilts as well. Create one tree block or collect a forest. All levels of experience welcome. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays through December 13 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Cost: $6 per class, all materials provided.

Instructors: Terry Keller, Peggy Lane and Ingrid Rogler

Introduction to Glass Fusing, age 18 and up

This class will be a very basic introduction to the process of small-piece fused glass work. Each student will create a fused glass item which will be finished, polished and wire wrapped. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Mondays, November 13 and 20 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Cost: $50, all materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Mixed Media, ages 5 - 8

A new artist will be introduced each week as students learn about famous artists and create their own works using materials including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Fridays from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Session 3 - November 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8.

Cost: $35 for four classes, all materials included.

Instructor: Amy Colley, M.F.A.

Mosaic Design, age 13 to adult

Learn basic techniques as you create and assemble your own mosaic design using ceramic tile. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Mondays and Tuesdays, December 4, 5, 11 & 12 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Cost: $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley, M.F.A.

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. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Session 3 - November 7, 14, 21, 28.

Cost: $50 for each series of four classes.

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

Painting on Glass - Hurricane Globes, age 16 to adult

Learn how to decoratively paint a Christmas design on a hurricane globe for floating candles. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesday, November 15 at 7:00 pm.

Cost: $15, materials are provided.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

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. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. November 6, 13, 20, 27.

Cost: $50 for each series of four classes.

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

Preschool Art, ages 4 and 5

Preschool studens will be introduced to a famous artist each week as they explore a variety of materials such as clay, tempera, watercolors, collage, etc. Call the Dietrich Theater at 570-996-1500 to register.

Thursday from noon - 12:45 pm. November 9, 16, 30, Dec. 7.

Cost: $30 for a series of four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

"Flock with Us" - While geese fly south, flock with us as we make classic "Flying Geese" quilts. Students will learn about design as they artfully mix colorful old time fabrics with ones from today, and learn basic quilting techniques from piecing to embellishing, to binding a quilt. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays through December 13 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Cost: $6.00 per lesson, materials included.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Terry Keller and Peggy Lane

Willow Basketry for Adults, age 13 and up

Using basket willos and traditional techniques, students will make two different baskets over the next 6 sessions. The Danish Fruit Basket is made using a cardboard template and the base is the last thing to be woven. The Thanksgiving Bread basket will be ready for your Thanksgiving serving needs. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500.

Thursdays, October 5, 12, 19, Nov. 2, 16, 30 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.

Admission is $100, materials provided.

Instructor: Bonnie Gale

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

Writing for the Hot Markets Workshop

Featured writers: Eileen Berger (Inspirational), Ty Drago (Science Fiction), and Charlee Ganny (Paranormal Romance). Bring the first two pages of work-in-progress for critique. Call 570-996-1500 for reservations. Seating limited.

Saturday, December 2nd from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Admission:$25 (includes lunch)

Sponsored by the Dietrich Theater and Pennwriters, Inc.

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