At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

So here we are on the eve of Christmas in Our Hometown, and it is all very exciting! We so love this town and that particular night we all shine like those wintry stars looking down on us. Here’s a little fact about Christmas In Our Hometown that I bet many have forgotten. Do you know whose idea it was to do this? It was our so dear Mary Lynn Loftus! She had gone on a little trip, somewhere I don’t remember, and had come back with the idea. “Look what they do at Christmas,” she’d said, at a meeting. “Why don’t we do something like that?” And a bunch of folks agreed and then Tom St. Clair ran with it and then…well…the rest is history. It’s now one of the biggest events in our town. And if Rich Santee has his way it will just get bigger and better every year. So kudos to all who work so hard to bring us this wonderful weekend. And as you’re walking through the Christmasy town, give a thought to our darling Mary Lynn who, with her departure, left a cavernous hole in so many of our hearts.

Ah, the Christmas tree. Oh tannenbaum etc. etc. Bless your heart, Vito Barzilowski and your tireless crew! They started at 8:00 in the morning and didn’t finish cabling the tree until dark. My word, such dedication to our town!

And then those terrific Kiwanians came over and put the lights and many of the decorations on it and that took them all of Sunday. Bless your hard-working hearts.

Tonight our Danny is going to come and fix the breakers so that every time we plug the tree in the lights don’t go out in the theater. (Ah, those little glitches!) Then we have about thirty-five more bows to put on and the moveable deer to stand by it and she (the tree) will be the loveliest lady in town. We hear that some folks would like to add some more ornaments and we welcome that. We want the Dietrich tree to be just the best and brightest it can be. I don’t think we can add more lights, but ornaments will be most welcome if anyone wants to bring them. Once the expansion has taken place we will plant a tree that will be pruned yearly so it can be the Dietrich’s gift to the town year after year. We can’t wait for that!

Gift bags are being made by our volunteers even as I write! Now remember, the gift bags are what get us through those long, bleak months of winter. When you give a gift bag you are giving the Dietrich just a tad of security when there are no blockbuster movies to fill our theaters. And what a great gift! The person who gets a bag or two loves them! No dusting. No finding a place to put it. It’s your literal ticket to a good time and they are so appreciated. So, give your friends, your siblings, your mom and dad something they will love and help the Dietrich at the same time. Now there’s the Christmas spirit!

Oh, yes – just a tiny reminder that we have only a few weeks to meet the challenge grant. We have $2,000 and need $1,000 and then we have $6,000! So, if anyone out there could lend a helping hand, we’d sure appreciate it!

Movies, movies, movies. The Nativity Story is really good – our Claire saw it and LOVED it. But I have to tell you, it didn’t set the box office on fire, either nationally or locally. I don’t know why. I’ve had it booked since September I was so sure it would be a big hit here. But most nights we didn’t even crack fifty people in the theater. It’s very respectful and sweetly done and, after all, it really is the story of Christmas, so I don’t know why folks aren’t coming to see it. But we’ll have it another week, so if you change your mind we’ll be happy to see you. Don’t forget Emmet Otter, free showings on Friday night. On Dec. 15th we have Charlotte’s Web – G rated – perfect for school kids. We’ll have it through mid-January. On Dec. 22 we’ll have Night at the Museum – tons of fun. In January we’ll bring in Casino Royale and The Queen. Good movies all.

See you at the Dietrich!

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Looking forward to Christmas, I think of the many traditions of the holiday. There is something comforting and delightful as traditions grow. The Dietrich has developed a few holiday traditions of its own over the years. The biggest of which is probably the day we show “It’s a Wonderful Life” for free on the big screen. Some of our patrons come back year after year with their families to enjoy this classic film. Join us on Tuesday, December 19th at 2:00 pm or 7:00 pm to take it in. I am telling you, it is an experience. To see “It’s a Wonderful Life” in black and white, to hear the crackle and pops that such an old film makes and to view it with so many people, makes the film come to life! There are only five or six original prints of the movie left so it is a real treat to see. Besides seeing the movie for free, the theater will provide free popcorn and soda to all who attend. These showings have been sponsored in memory of Rose Miller and by the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church.

The Dietrich also likes to participate in Tunkhannock’s Christmas in Our Hometown. For the past few years, we have provided some sort of free entertainment event and our Holiday Workshop. This year, on Friday, December 8th, join us for the Jim Henson movie “Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas”. There will be two free showings of the movie at 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm. Tickets for the shows will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis. And the costume designer of the movie, Calista Hendrickson, will be there to answer questions about Emmet Otter and working on the Muppets with the legendary Jim Henson.

The following day, the Dietrich will host it’s Holiday Workshop from 11 am - 12:30 pm. Kids and families love it! We start things out with an old fashioned sing-along with Bill Frye. I love to hear the kids sing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer”. (There are always several requests for those two songs.) Then we have cookie decorating, ornament making and creations by the balloon lady. Its free and a great way to get into the holiday spirit. This event will be sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Tunkhannock.

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

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

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

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.

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

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