At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

So. Here it is, Thanksgiving week. I am writing this on Friday morning because of early holiday deadlines, so I can’t tell you how Happy Feet did, but I just know it’s a goodie! I think it’s going to be one of our biggest movies of the year! And I can’t tell you about our Stephen and the glorious displays he’s putting up for us, or his wife, Margie’s sister and our friend Calista and her wonderful Emmet Otter display. Or the pin collection from Kathy Wisnoski in one of the cases. Well, okay, so I told you about them, but I can’t tell you what they look like because they won’t start putting it all together until this weekend. I can tell you that Kiwanis – bless their hearts – is helping us put the tree up in the lot. Actually, Vito Barzilowski is donating it and putting it up, and Kiwanis is helping to get the lights on with the help of Skip Felker. Thank you, Vito and Skip. Ooooh. It’s going to be so wonderful!

And I can now report to you that on December 1 we will be opening The Nativity Story. Pretty much for sure. Or, as sure as it gets if it’s not actually on the screen. Or, leaning sure from the maybe column.

Remember “Writing For The Hot Markets” on Saturday Dec. 2. For any of you interested in any phase of writing, this is the workshop for you. And here’s the nice part – you can ask these writers anything (except who their agent is – that’s considered bad form) about playing the publishing game. These three authors cover pretty much all genres, from romance to paranormals to inspiration and science-fiction and etc. etc. etc. You get the idea. We are very happy to be working with Pennwriters on this project. If you are a writer and don’t belong to Pennwriters, then I will tell you that it’s something you should seriously consider. They have an active website and you get to ask Pennwriter’s questions or “lurk” and read all kinds of interesting commentary from the world of published writers. Give it a thought. It’s a good way to give your writing life a big boost. (Oh, yeah – - call Erica at 996-1509 to make your reservation. Hurry, hurry, hurry. It’s filling up fast!)

So, my sister and I were on the phone this morning planning Thanksgiving dinner. We do this little ritual every year. We “plan” the same menu year after year. And of course, that menu – the same one our mother made for us so many years ago – takes us back to our childhood home and the sweetness of being a child and being loved and protected the way only cherished children are.

My mother cooked, in a kitchen so tiny that today a realtor would faint at the sight of it, a turkey and mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce, creamed onions, rutabaga, candied yams, a salad and pumpkin pie. We ate it, the four of us, gathered around my grandmother’s oak table (it now sits quite comfortably in my sister’s kitchen) and we talked and laughed and loved the day.

At Christmas our house was full of the aunts and uncles and cousins and friends that wove in and out of our young lives. But at Thanksgiving it was just our little family, snug as bugs in the mountains of the Poconos, a fire crackling in the fireplace, the smell of the turkey roasting in the oven and Pop playing jacks or pick-up-stix on the living room floor with his girls. My father was a housepainter and his hand was so steady that he could cut a perfect line in paint freehand. So, you can just imagine trying to beat him at pick-up-stix.

I look back through a mist of tears -- - and I see them so clearly. Mamma in her apron bringing the turkey to the table, Pop looking up and smiling at her and saying “Good job, Mamma,” and Jennie and I hardly being able to withstand the excitement of Pappa making that first cut into the Thanksgiving turkey.

What simple times. What enormous love. It was as if we grew up inside a snow-globe, safe and warm and so, so happy.

May you know such happiness with your families on this glorious holiday. Bless you, dear hearts.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

First, we at the Dietrich would like to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! After you’ve enjoyed your turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, join us at the theater for two very family friendly movies - we’ll have The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause and Happy Feet. Last Wednesday, we took a trip to New York to see a Broadway play. While we were there, our movie booker, Jeffery Jacobs met us for dinner. Jeffery says Happy Feet is a miracle of a movie. And that is pretty high praise from him, so join us for these fun films.

Besides seeing “Little Dog Laughed” and dining in New York. We were able to take in the New York holiday decorations. Saks Fifth Avenue’s, Cartier’s and F.A.O. Schwarz’s really stood out. It was inspiring to us because we really like to decorate the theater for the holidays. Stephen Hendrickson, our guru, has done magnificent work to transform the theater’s gallery into a winter wonderland. He has been planning and designing it for months. We will light up the gallery on Thanksgiving night! Just seeing our display is worth the trip (plus who doesn’t like fresh popcorn!)

Stephen came up with the decorations in his spare time, you can see more of his work on the new CBS medical drama “3 Lbs”. He is the set designer! To check out his work, tune into CBS on Tuesdays at 10:00 pm. We are always impressed with his design work.

Then for “Christmas in Our Hometown” the Dietrich will offer two free showings of the holiday favorite “Emmett Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas” on Friday, December 8th at 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm. I remember seeing this movie as a child and just fell in love with Jim Henson’s creations. Calista Hendrickson, the costume designer for the movie, will be there after each showing for a Q&A about the film. These showings will be presented in conjunction with the Jim Henson Legacy Foundation. Sounds like fun, right!

The following morning, the Dietrich will host its traditional “Holiday Workshop” on Saturday, December 9th from 11 am - 12:30 pm. All ages are invited out for a morning of singing, ornament making, cookie decorating and creations by the balloon lady. Admission is free and the workshop is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Tunkhannock.

Our holiday celebrations at the Dietrich would not be complete without our two free showings of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. This year, “It’s a Wonderful Life” will be on Tuesday, December 19th at 2 pm and 7 pm. Admission, popcorn and soda are free! It is first come, first serve and seating fills up fast. This event is in memory of Rose Miller and sponsored in part by the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church.

What a great way to celebrate the holidays!

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 December 13.

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, Dec. 7 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

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.

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, 30, Dec. 7 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