At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

I am writing this column on Tuesday, December 19, the happiest, best, most totally terrific day of the year, as far as I’m concerned. This is the day we have two showings of “It’s A Wonderful Life” which is the happiest, best, most totally terrific movie ever made! And thanks to The Tunkhannock United Methodist Church (what a great bunch!) and the friends of dear Rose Miller, it has been underwritten so the cost of the film and shipping has been taken care of. Thank you all and bless your hearts.

So many times people look at me as if I’ve lost my senses when I say I truly believe it’s the finest movie ever made. But that happens to be what I believe. When it came out, in the 1940’s it was a big flop. People thought it was “corny” and unbelievable and simply not very interesting. It wasn’t until it started being shown on television that it caught on and began to gain an audience. So, in a way, it was a movie saved by television. And also destroyed by it.

It shows every year on television, interrupted by a million commercials, only half seen and half listened to. Most people seeing it at home have never actually seen the entire movie. At home we have less attention span – we get up, go to the fridge, get a drink, answer the phone…etc. etc. And to miss any of this movie is to miss the point – to miss the story of love and sacrifice and of a way of life now gone forever.

And it’s that way of life now gone forever that we long for. I don’t know how many of you have ever seen the program “House Hunters” on HGTV. It’s an amazing show. Amazing in the purest form of greed it represents. If a house isn’t 3,000 square feet (at least) and doesn’t have walk in closets the size of Kansas (to hold more clothing and shoes than any normal person could possibly wear in two lifetimes) it is summarily dismissed.

Look at the house Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed move into in Wonderful Life. It’s a shack, it’s falling down, the roof leaks, it’s dismal. And yet they work hard, spend years of time and effort, and at the end it’s a warm and inviting home. And they don’t need walk-in closets because they are good decent working class people and they would have neither a need nor a desire for that kind of wardrobe. And this part I especially love: even thought they are not wealthy, they have a piano and their children take piano lessons. And then, when the grownups are gathered around the piano singing carols, it’s the little girl who plays for them. The children and the grownups are in this big, rollicking boat together. The kids don’t need a separate playroom, the mother doesn’t need a huge kitchen, there is no “master bedroom” suite. It’s a house filled with love and music and laughter and a sense of family that has nothing to do with money or possessions.

I love the film print, old and scratched, and I love the snow falling on Bedford Falls, and I love the character-filled faces of Stewart and Reed. They had great dignity and a sublime sense of their place in the world as story-tellers and magic-makers. They would never, ever have taken part in the celebrity shenanigans that go on today. Never! Ever!

So, we can’t go back in time. We can’t bring back either the values or the people of over half a century ago. But we can pay homage to them. We can remember them. We can sit in our seats in this grand old theater and we can be filled with longing for another time, a time of real family values, a time when sacrifice and love were deeply honored.

And we can try not to weep at the end. I try every year. But I never can hold back the tears. Those people standing around the piano singing were my family so many years ago. They live now only in my memory and in that crackly old film. I miss them so.

Merry Christmas, dear friends. God bless us, one and all.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

It was great to see Tunkhannock so alive with holiday excitement in the shops and through town for this year’s Christmas in Our Hometown. The Dietrich was also filled with activity. We packed the house with full theaters for both free showings of “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas”. Parents and children loved it! And to have the costume designer of the movie, Calista Hendrickson, in attendance to answer questions after the film made it even more special.

And then on Saturday, we had a great turn out for our Holiday Workshop. Bill Frye led the group in favorite holiday songs and Santa Claus even stopped by to take part in the festivities. Cookies were decorated and ornaments were made by all ages. And all the little ones enjoyed those zany balloon creations made by Silly Sally. She made balloon hats, animals, swords, butterfly wings and more! We’d like to thank the Kiwanis Club of Tunkhannock for sponsoring the Holiday Workshop and for providing wonderful helpers as well. It is fun to see families come back year after year for it and to see new ones too!

Our Holiday Camp over Christmas vacation is almost full. Every year, children get their creative juices going in this art camp with the Colleys. We have a few spacing remaining in our drawing camp day (December 28 from 9:30 am - 11 am) and painting camp day (December 29 from 9:30 - 11 am). Call the Dietrich for more information or to register at 570-996-1500.

Last Wednesday it was great to see our quilting students finish their projects and have a little Christmas party. The Quilting for Kids students each left with a colorful flying geese quilt. Some students had these cute small quilts that were finished in two weeks and other students had larger quilts that were made over a few months. The Intergenerational Quilting students made “Pine Tree” pattern quilts. In January, both classes will start up again with new projects. In Quilting for Kids, they will make snowball quilts (very cute) and the intergenerational class will make Sara’s Squares, which is a twist on the classic log cabin quilt.

Starting in the second week of January, we will be bringing back the Dietrich After School Players for Middle and High School students for the fifth year in a row! Students will learn all about the theatre arts in this workshop on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm from January 8 to their live performance at the Dietrich on March 24th. Admission is free! Call 996-1500 for more information. Students interested in acting, dancing, singing and music are invited to take part in this theatre experience under the direction of Patti Dunning and Carl Canedy of First Act Children’s Theatre.

And now is the time to get your free copy of “Gone with the Wind” at the Tunkhannock Public Library for our Wyoming County Reads: One County, One Book, One Movie project. Books will also be available at the other library sites in Wyoming County by January 1st. Book discussions will start in February so there is plenty of time to take in this acclaimed novel by Margaret Mitchell. Call the Dietrich (996-1500) or the Tunkhannock Public Library (836-1677) for details.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

After School Players, for Middle & High School Students

Calling all actors, actresses, dancers and musicians, the Dietrich After School Players is now casting for its upcoming spring show, "Yee Haw! A Tribute to Hee Haw".

Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm. January 8 - March 24.

Cost: Free.

Carl Canedy and Patti Dunning of First Act Children's Theater

All About Drawing & Painting, ages 9-12

Students will learn the basics of perspective, line, form, color, and value as students draw an paint from life. All levels of experience welcome.

Thursdays, February 8, 15, 22, March 1 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Cost: $35, all materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

All About Drawing, ages 9-12

Students will learn the basic concepts of drawing including line, shape, texture, value, color, and space while creating their own masterpieces.

Thursdays, January 11, 18, 25, Feb. 1 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Cost: $35, all materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

All About Pottery & Sculpture, ages 9-12

Students will learn hand building techniques (Coil slab construction), glazing techniques and experience using potter's wheel.

Thursdays, March 8, 15, 22, 29 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Cost: $35, all materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Basic Jewelry - Cutting and Stamping Metal

Students will learn to cut metal using a jewelers saw and then use various methods of achieving different finishes and/or stanped design on the metal surface. Everyone will leave with finished items. No soldering. All materials and equipment will be supplied.

Monday, February 12 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Cost: $45, all materials provided.

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Beginning Conversational Spanish

Learn a second language as a family! This class will introduce you to everyday Spanish conversational phrases and vocabulary. We will be using games, role plays and fun exercises to practice speaking Spanish. This is a great class to get you started on learning a second language. For ages 7 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Tuesdays, March 6 - 27 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.

Cost: $30 for adults, children 16 and under, free.

Instructor: Victoria Romero

Decorative Painting for Adults, ages 16 and up

Learn decorative painting techniques whicle creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts.

Wednesdays from noon - 3 pm. January 10 - March 28.

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

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Decorative Painting for Kids

Children ages 8 and up will learn decorative painting techniques as they paint a bird house.

Tuesday, March 20 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost:$12, materials provided.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Easy Beading - Three Basic Beading Techniques

Have fun learning three beading styles! Basic loom beading, peyote, and beads on fabric will be demonstrated. All materials and equipments will be supplied.

Monday, February 26 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Cost: $25, all materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

First Steps in Stained Glass

Learn the first steps of working with glass to create stained glass pieces. Students will learn to work with a design, cut glass, polish, foil wrap, and solder. Each student will leave with a finished item. All glass, supplies and equipment will be supplied.

Monday, March 12 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Cost: $45, all materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

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

"Sara's Squares" - Learn the art of quilting while making an uncommon variation of the classic log cabin quilt. Students will learn quilting techniques and study vintage quilts.

Wednesdays, January 10 - March 28 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Cost: $6 per lesson, all materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Terry Keller and Peggy Lane

Jewelry for Kids, ages 8 and up

Make It/Bake It - Create your own beads, bake and string them into a necklace that is uniquely yours.

Tuesday, March 13 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Cost: $7

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Little Artists, ages 2-1/2 to 4

Young artists and their moms, dads or grandparents will create works of art using an assortment of materials, including clay, tempera, watercolor and collage.

Fridays, March 2, 9, 16, 23 from 10:30 - 11:15 am

Cost: $30

Instructor: Amy Colley

Little People & Nature, ages 2 1/2 to 4

Join us as we learn about animals and nature in this four class series. Learn about: When Winter Comes - Where do some of the animals go in the winter? What animal can we still see? Children will learn the answers to these questions through songs, stories, puppets and crafts. Bunny Hop - What do wild bunnies eat? Where do they live? How do they hide? Learn why domestic rabbits don't make good pets for children and meet a rescued rabbit.Going Batty - What makes a bat a bat? Can you see bats in the winter? Dress like a bat, make a puppet, listen to a story, sing a song, and pretend to be a bat. Learn about the only flying mammal. Feeder Flutter - We've gone to the birds! Meet a live bird. Make a bird feeder to take home. Exploring the discovery stations, feathers, puppets, and stories.

Tuesdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10 -11 am.

Cost: $35, students to be accompanied by an adult.

Instructor: Rebecca Lesko, Endless Mountains Nature Center

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.

Fridays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, Session 1 - January 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2. Session 2 - February 9, 16, 23, March 2. Session 3 - March 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $35 for each series of four classes.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing and Pottery

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own paceand with the medium of their choice.

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Session 1 - January 9, 16, 23, 30. Session 2 - February 6, 13, 20, 27. Session 3 - March 6, 13, 20, 27.

Cost: $15 per class or $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Painting on Glass, age 16 to adult

Learn decorative painting techniques as you paint a glass picture frame.

Monday, March 5 at 7 pm.

Cost: $12, 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, learn hand-building and sculpture techniques as well as making molds and casting.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Session 1 - January 8, 15, 22, 29. Session 2 - February 5, 12, 19, 26. Session 3 - March 5, 12, 19, 26.

Cost: $50 for all four classes

Instructor: Steve Colley

Preschool Art, ages 4 and 5

Preschool students will explore the arts each week as they use a variety of materials such as clay, tempera, watercolors, collage, etc.

Thursdays, February 1, 8, 15, 22 from noon -12:45 pm

Cost: $30

Instructor: Amy Colley, M.F.A.

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

"Snowballs" - Snips of cloth with a winter theme make up our one-of-a-kind snowball quilt. Learn quilting and design techniques - it's easy and cool!

Wednesday, January 10 - March 28 from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Cost: $6 per lesson, all materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Terry Keller & Peggy Lane

Watercolor for Beginners - Color and Composition

Learn the basics of color and composition in watercolor painting.

Friday, March 30 from 7-9 pm and Saturday, March 31 from 10 am - 4 pm.

Admission is $60. Call 570-996-1500 for a materials list.

Instructor: Jan Henning

Watercolor for Beginners - Supplies and Techniques

Workshop 1 - Supplies and Techniques. Learn the basics of watercolor from supplies and uses, preparing watercolor paper for paint application, setting up a palette and techniques for applying paint to paper.

Friday, January 19 from 7-9pm & Saturday, January 20 from 10 am - 4 pm.

Admission is $60. Call 996-1500 for the materials list.

Instructor: Jan Henning

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

Young Writers' Group, ages 11-16

Come and learn about all forms of writing. Participants will share their own writings and learn to critique each other. Topics for discussion will depend on the interests of the group, but will include vocabulary of the writing professional and opportunities for publication.

Thursdays, January 11 - Feb. 15 from 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm.

Admission is free.

Group Leader: Ann Vitale