At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

I can’t believe it’s finally here. The beginning of the end of the campaign! It’s been two years but it seems like three and it’s been simply exhausting! You think I’m talking about the Presidential campaign, don’t you? Heh heh. Nope. I’m talking about the capital campaign for the expansion of the Dietrich theater. (I never, ever get into politics – who can survive that?) So Saturday morning we will have the final kickoff, wherein, if you come to the theater at ten o’clock in the morning, we will show you where the building will stand, what it will look like, how you can buy a seat plaque, and answer any questions you may have. Oh, yeah. And we’ll give you free popcorn and soda! (And you know how good our popcorn is…well…only the best in the entire free world!)

We’re almost there…a tweak or two and it’s done. And with the addition of the two new screens will come the assurance that the Dietrich theater will be here for another generation of movie lovers and art lovers and those who love to eat in the wonderful restaurants which thrive because the Dietrich is here. It wasn’t so long ago, when Sarah and I had our beloved little bookstore, that there were fifteen empty storefronts in town. Hard to remember that, isn’t it? But between the by-pass and the theater, a town that was sad and lonely, became one of the hottest “go-to” places in our area. (And isn’t that simply the most fun thing – to live in a “go-to” destination???)

Probably most folks don’t remember, but when our small and merry band decided to bring the Dietrich back - -( although, in the dark hours of the night I sometimes think that we didn’t target the Dietrich but that the Dietrich targeted us. Look, Stephen King does that stuff all the time. I think she reached out from her early grave and ensnared us and we never have been able to break that magic spell.) we planned on simply remodeling it – keeping the one-screen model. Thank heavens for Brooks Eldredge Martin, from BCRAC, who told us not to do that – break it at least into two. At least! Which is what we did and it’s why the Dietrich is able to run classes and be self-sufficient.

We were very lucky to have been given such good advice. But as good as it is to have two screens, a successful theater must have even more – the experts say five, we believe four is adequate. That will allow us to bring in new films almost every weekend and that’s the way a movie theater stays in the black.

And for the Dietrich to continue on this path, wherein we are an arts center as well as a movie theater, we must add those screens. It’s the way of the business. People see a movie its first weekend. The next weekend the take is cut in half. The third weekend it’s almost gone. The fourth it’s moribund. We need to be able to give our customers what they want every weekend – and that’s what we’ve set out to do.

Of course, there are the naysayers – those who say the town “can’t support two more screens, and the ‘little ladies’ (I love that part) who run it ought to understand they’ve just been lucky so far” and I say to them that they simply don’t understand how the movie business works. And I would also remind them that those same voices told us ten years ago that if the town could support a theater it never would have closed. “You can’t raise the money,” they said, “but if you do, you’ll never get it open,” they added. “But if you do raise the money and you do get it open, “no one will come.” (That was always my favorite.)

So, putting aside the fact that the “little ladies” have worked a bit here and there to bring this about, the Dietrich is so successful not because of “luck” but because the town wanted the theater back! The people who come here (from at least three counties) love it and their only complaint is that we can’t get more of the movies they want first-run. So now, dear patrons and supporters of the theater (and you know how much we love you all) - -the additional two screens will mean you can see more movies right here in town, and shop here on your way and have dinner at our sublime restaurants. It’s such a grand thought! I simply can’t wait!

See you at the Dietrich.

P.S. One other thing. Thursday November 13th at 6:30 there will be meeting in the Fassett Studio to explore the possibility of bringing a YMCA to the area. Do come and tell the folks in charge what you think.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Rick Mikula’s knowledge and enthusiasm for butterflies and moths is tremendous. I thoroughly enjoyed the Butterfly Guy’s presentation at the Dietrich last week. He brought so many rare and beautiful butterfly specimens with him. It was also cool to see him take live butterflies out of envelopes and place them in a butterfly house that he showed us how to make from dollar store materials! A fact that I found to be fascinating is that butterflies can live up to two weeks in your refrigerator without food or drink. They go dormant when it is cold. He also showed us how butterflies breathe and smell, and how to raise butterflies. Approximately 75 people came out for his presentation.

Next month the Dietrich Super Saturday Presentation will be “Children’s Songs with Karl Williams” on Saturday, November 15th at 11:00 am. Join us for a morning of easygoing and entertaining children’s songs with singer/songwriter/guitarist Karl Williams. Williams’ popular songs including “Big Fish Little Fish”, “Katie Did”, and “Uncle Robot” have been released on CD and aired on television and radio. Admission is free. It will be a great time for children and families. This event has been sponsored by Asera Care.

Coming up this weekend, the Dietrich will be bringing back Frances Slocum: Child of Two Americas on Sunday, November 2nd at 3:00 pm. There is so much interest in Frances Slocum’s life. The makers of the film, Bill Bachman, Florence Howanitz, and Jonathan Pineno, and some of the actors in the film will be on hand for a Q & A following the movie. Tickets are $5.00 each and reservations are recommended. Call the theater at (570)-996-1500 for tickets or visit the Dietrich’s ticket booth.

The following Sunday, November 9th starting at 12:30 pm, experience An Afternoon of Argentine Tango: Movie and Lesson at the Dietrich. See the film Tango that is subtitled and beautifully filmed in Buenos Aires, home of the Argentine tango. You will want to see the film just for the dancing as you become entranced by tango. Then try the dance at Father Nallin Hall. Wear or bring shoes with leader bottoms. Catherine Julius, an Argentine tango instructor, will guide you through basic tango postures, embrace and walking steps. No experience is required. Tickets are $10 per person, which includes the movie and dancing. This event has been sponsored by NEPA Tango Connection. Milonga will follow the lesson from 3:30 - 5:00 pm. Call the theater for more information.

And please join us this Saturday, November 1st for the Dietrich’s Construction Kick-Off at 10:00 am. Help us celebrate the expansion of the theater from two to four screens. Complimentary popcorn and soda will be provided. Call (570)-996-1500 for more information about this event.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

All About Pottery for Mommy & Me

Create your own hand thrown bowls on a potter's wheel, design your own whistles and birdhouses in this pottery class for all levels of experience.

Fridays, November 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12 at 10:30 - 11:15 am.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Amy Colley

All About Pottery for Preschoolers

Create your own hand thrown bowls on a potter's wheel, design your own whistles and birdhouses in this pottery class for all levels of experience.

Thursdays, November 13, 20, Dec. 4, 11 from noon - 12:45 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Amy Colley

All About Pottery, ages 5 - 8

Create your own hand thrown bowls on a potter's wheel, design your own whistles and birdhouses in this pottery class for all levels of experience.

Fridays, November 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12 at 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Amy Colley

All About Pottery, ages 9 - 12

Create your own hand thrown bowls on a potter's wheel, design your own whistles and birdhouses in this pottery class for all levels of experience.

Thursdays, November 6, 13, 20, Dec. 4 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Basketry: Create a Mini Market Basket

Create a miniature, rectangular market basket. The basket features double satin, black ash wood splints, spokes, and weavers. Options will be discussed for personalizing weave techniques, rim style, handle placement and embellishment detail.

Saturday, November 1 from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.

Admission: $80

Instructor: Susi Nuss.

Decorative Painting, ages 16 and up

Learn decorative painting techniques while creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. Preregistration required. Call 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm. November 12, 19, 26. Dec. 3, 10, 17.

Admission: $20/class plus the cost of painting surfaces

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Golden Days of Radio Players Group

Do you remember old time radio? Did you always wonder how all the sound effects were made...like a door opening and closing or someone walking on gravel? Or wonder how it woudl feel to stand in front of a microphone and read the lines of the character you are playing? Or act like a hero or a villian? Or use your voice to sound very old or very young? Join us and you will learn and experience all of this and more. Oh, did I mention that we always have a lot of fun putting a show together to be played for an audience.

Tuesdays through November 11 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm

Admission: Free

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Holiday Camp, for ages 5 - 12

Young artists will become familiar with pottery, drawing and painting as well as famous artists in this camp.

Monday - Wednesday, December 29, 30, and 31 from 9:30 -11:00 am

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Intergenerational Quilting, ages 13 to adult

"Medallion Quilt" - Develop quilting skills with our easy board sampler class. Learn how to make border variations with simple basic templates while designing a Medallion Style Quilt.

Wednesdays through December 10 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, and Terry Keller

Introduction to Knitting

Learn to knit and purl and end up with a scarf. For ages 10 to adult.

Wednesdays, October 22 and November 5 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $6 per class, materials are provided.

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Jewelery Making: Introduction to Metal Working

Students will learn the first steps necessary for anyone who wants to do their own metal work in jewelry fabrication. Students will learn to use a jewelers saw, cut, form and polish. Everyone will leave with a finished pendant.

Thursday, November 6 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $50, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry for Kids - Glass Fusing

Students will learn about glass fusing as they design and create two glass pieces which can be turned into jewelry - pendants or pins!

Friday, November 7th from 4:00 - 6;00 pm.

Admission: $25, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry Making: Introduction to Glass Fusing - Filled

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.

Thursdays, October 16 & 30 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $60, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Masks & Monsters, ages 3 - 5

Children will learn various techniques using papier mache to create their own masks and monsters.

Preschoolers: Thursdays, October 9, 16, 23, November 6 from noon - 12:45 pm. Mommy & Me: Fridays, October 10, 17, 24, Nov. 7.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Masks & Monsters, ages 5 - 8

Children will learn various techniques using papier mache to create their own masks and monsters.

Fridays, October 10, 17, 24, Nov. 7 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35

Instructor: Amy Colley

Mehoopany All Abot Pottery, ages 5 -12

Create your own hand thrown bowls on a potter's wheel, design your own whistles and birdhouses in this pottery class for all levels of experience. At the Mehoopany Outreach Studio located at 87 Main Street; Mehoopany, PA. Call 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Wednesdays, November 5, 12, 19, Dec. 3 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing & Pottery - Nights

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

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm November 4, 11, 18, 25.

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

Instructor: Steve Colley

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing, & Pottery - Days

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

Mondays from 9:30 am - 11:00 am. November 3, 10, 17, 24.

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

Instructor: Steve Colley

Painting Glass Ornaments

Learn the process of glass painting - paint glass ornaments.

Wednesday, November 19 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $15.

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.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. November 3, 10, 17, 24.

Admission: $50, materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Pull the Strings, ages 5 -12

Lights! Camera! Action! Go behind the scenes, write an original play and create a cast of puppet characters for the final puppet performance in the Dietrich's very own theater.

Tuesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: Free.

Instructor: Everhart Museum Instructor.

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

"Kaleidoscope Magic" - Learn quilting techniques as you create a quilt with mirrors. Spin and twirl your quilt blocks to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece full of color and movement.

Wednesdays through December 10 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6 per class

Instructors: Peggy Lane, Terry Keller and Ingrid Rogler

Writers' Group

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

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

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for You

This class will teach and reinforce the basic yoga poses (asanas)which gently stretch and strengthen the body. Attention will be given to breathing and alignment in postures. Call 570-996-1500 to confirm dates. Please bring yoga mat or beach towel.

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

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo