At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

This week marks the first anniversary of the death of Randy Vieczorek. What a trickster time is when our hearts have been broken. On the one hand, each day is a long, terrible battle with such immeasurable, astonishing, fearsome grief that it seems as if each second is an eternity unto itself. And yet, here we are, a year later, and it doesn’t seem possible that so much time has elapsed so quickly. Wasn’t it just yesterday that Randy had breakfast with his mother that last day? Wasn’t it just yesterday that his father and he spent time at the cabin they both loved? No, it wasn’t. It was hundreds of yesterdays ago, those days before death came to call.

Things are better, at least some of the time. Ronnie can look at you and talk and crack a joke and the other day he told a story about Randy and he laughed. Sandy’s eyes aren’t always red-rimmed and puffy from crying anymore, and although she seldom laughs the way she used to, she smiles from time to time and that will have to do, for now.

They are remarkable people. They took what was dealt them and they stood their ground, staring down the fates that would destroy them. They didn’t keep the cause of Randy’s death a secret. They never felt shame. They never hid Randy’s addiction. They knew his battle with drugs was no different than any other battle with a life-threatening disease. And as with any serious illness, some do battle and survive and some, though they fight just as hard and just as valiantly, slip away from the bonds of earth, slip away from our outstretched hands.

They founded Wyoming County C.A.R.E.S. and set out to educate the county about addiction. They gathered those of like mind around them and they formed committees and held programs and did endless research. And so much of what they learned caused deep and scarring pain. Randy might have survived if they had known about the success rates of Methadone treatment. If only they had known about the fact that not all addicts can go from drugs to clean without some chemical help. If only they had fully understood that it wasn’t that Randy was weak, but that the drug was so strong.

So they have spent the past year getting the word out to families, to individuals, to anyone who calls or stops them on the street or needs to talk about a son or a daughter, a sister or a brother who is sad and alone and dying by inches. Every Thursday night now at the Methodist Church in town, Family-to-Family meets to help each other, to give each other strength, to encourage and to heal.

Don’t think all this was done by Sandy and Ronnie alone, because it wasn’t. They had all kinds of help. People who have fought the fight and won, people who lost children, people who want to help no matter how difficult the road ahead may be. But they came together to work on this problem because they looked at Randy’s family - - his brother and sister, his lovely young widow, and his mother and father and they saw unflinching courage in the face of immeasurable sadness. And courage is catching - - when one person stands up and looks evil in the eye, it gives others the courage to do the same. Where there were once just a few, now there are many who want to spread the word that addiction isn’t a shame, it’s a disease. And that’s the truth. And the truth, as they say, shall set you free!

And yet, with all that, there is the one thing that never goes away - - the fact that they miss their youngest, their baby, their very own loving and deeply loved son. In the end, when life’s journey becomes harder than we think our spirits can stand, we are left with only love and faith. Love for those around us, and for those we have lost. And absolute, unequivocal, passionate belief that one day we will meet again.

Oh, I believe that with all my heart. One day we will hear the laughter of those we have loved and lost and we will run to them, starlight illuminating our path, and we will feel such joy. Such joy.....such joy.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Our Golden Days of Radio Group is going full steam ahead with practicing for their upcoming live performance. This group of twelve has been practicing old radio plays under the direction of Valerie Paulus. Some of the participants have performed in previous radio plays at the Dietrich, while for others; this is their first experience. On Tuesday, December 6th at 7:00 pm, the group will perform “Arsenic and Old Lace” and “The Night Before Christmas Suspense” in the Peg Fassett Performance Studio. Admission is free. Bob Kulow will be in charge of the sound effects and Hildy Morgan, our Executive Director, will play some live music to add to the show. Their past performances have been excellent, we encourage you to come out.

In Wednesday yoga classes, the group has been learning restorative poses. Melissa Russo, certified yoga instructor, has also been teaching about the importance of good breathing. Breathing diaphragmatically increases lymph flow, relaxation, and decreases pain and stress. According to some of our yoga goers, the combination of proper breathing and being in the restorative poses relieves tension and pain. These yoga classes are held on Wednesdays from 10-11 am. For more information call 570-996-1500.

Another class that keeps growing is our “Intergenerational Quilting” series. In these classes, students learn about the importance of color in designing quilts. Adults and families attend these classes each Wednesday night from 6:00-7:30 pm. One family that attends spans three generations - a mother, grandmother, and two grandchildren, and they are all learning more about the art of quilting.

We are also looking forward to our bus trip to NYC on Wednesday, November 30th. I can’t wait to see the city during the holiday season. Margie, our Program Director, is already planning out her day in New York and hopes to catch a Broadway show. There are some many options! It will be a great time in the city whether you do some shopping, visit a museum, or see a show. At the end of the day, we all plan to go to Carmine’s and have an Italian family-style dinner. The bus will leave Tunkhannock at 7:30 a.m. and return home by 11:00 pm. Admission is $100 for the trip, which in includes dinner at Carmines and the bus. Space is limited; call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to make your reservations.

And in December, Jane Friedman from Writer’s Digest will be here for a special writers workshop. She will talk about how to find an agent and also spend some time discussing how a book is actually sold once it’s been picked up by a publisher. There will be a Q&A session following the workshop. It will be on Sunday, December 18th at 7:30 pm. Admission is $15. Make your reservations early, as space is limited.

And we all can’t wait for “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” to come out this Friday. We will be having a special midnight show on Thursday night to open this much anticipated film. The Dietrich is a great family theater to see the newest installment of Potter series, and November is a fabulous month for movies and fresh popcorn!

And don’t forget, next Monday is the 5th Annual Twigs Benefit Eat-In. On Monday, November 21st eat for a good cause at Twigs Restaurant from 5 pm to closing. All proceeds from that evening will go to the Dietrich. Their food is amazing and the atmosphere is great. It will help us out and be a good time.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Decorative Painting for Adults, age 13 and up, Day Sessions

Learn the skills and techniques of decorative painting as you create decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. All levels of experience welcome. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays, November 30 - December 14 from noon - 3:00 pm

Cost: $15 per lesson + cost of painting surface

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Discovering Great Artists, ages 5-8

Mixed media for children ages 5-8. The art activities in each four-week session are designed to expand the creative experience and awareness of young artists in all aspects of the visual arts through drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture.

Fridays from 4:00-5:30 pm. November 11, 18, Dec. 2, 9.

Admission is $30 per session.

Instructors: Amy and Steve Colley, M.F.A., B.F.A.

Discovering Great Artists, ages 9-12

Mixed Media for children. The art activities in each four week session are designed to expand the creative experience and awareness of young artists in all aspects of the visual arts through drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture.

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

Admission is $30 per session.

Instructors: Steve and Amy Colley, B.F.A., M.F.A.

Golden Days of Radio Players 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 570-996-1500 for more information.

Tuesdays through December 6 from 7:00-8:30 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 those fields in this holiday camp. Enjoy one day of camp or explore the arts in all three days. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

December 27 from 9:30 -11:00 am - Pottery. December 28 from 9:30 - 11:00 am - Drawing. December 29 from 9:30 - 11:00 am - Painting.

Admission is $15 per class or $30 for all three classes.

Instructors: Steve and Amy Colley, M.F.A., B.F.A.

Intergenerational Quilting, for all ages.

A Study in Color - Following a series of simple exercises, students will explore color in a new way. A sampler will be created by studying 6" blocks. You will rethink how you use color in your next quilt after taking this class. For beginners and advanced quilters.

Wednesdays through December 14 from 6:00-7:30 pm.

Admission is $6.00 per class. All materials will be provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, Terri Keller.

Kindermusik Village Class

Come to the Dietrich with your baby this winter for our new Kindermusik Village class. For children ages 18 months and younger. Call Cathy Shefski at 570-586-1977 for details or to register.

Thursdays, 9:15 -10 am from December 1st - February 3

Admission is $100 for the eight sessions

Instructor: Cathy Shefski

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing and 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.

Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30 pm. November 8, 15, 22, 29.

Admission is $30 per child and $45 per adult.

Instructor: Steve Colley, M.F.A.

Painting on Glass for Adults, ages 13 and up

Learn the basics of painting on glass. Design your own wine glass set for your home or to give as a gift. Register by calling 570-996-1500.

Wednesday, November 16 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

Admission is $15.00 plus the cost of your painting surface.

Instructor: Sharon McArdle

Pantomime, ages 8 to adult

Learn how to tell a story without words. Rand will teach students ages 8 and up a series of mime techniques, as well as moonwalking and invisible walls. In pantomime you will learn how to focus your coordination and concentration to communicate without words. This class will culminate with a Christmas in Our Hometown performance of "Weird, Wild and Wonderful - A Look at the Holiday Season" with Box of Light Theatre.

November 1,7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, Dec. 6, 7, 8, 9. Afternoon Session - 4:30 -6:00 pm.

Admission is $60.00

Instructor: Rand Whipple, Box of Light Theatre

Pottery & Sculpture

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, 7:00-8:30 pm. November 7, 14, 21, 28.

$45 for four classes

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

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

Maple Medley - Create a Maple Leaf quilt sampler. The more you sew, the move leaves you collect. Let nature teach us about color and learn about the beautiful maple trees that grow here.

Wednesdays, through December 14 from 3:30-5:00 pm

Admission is $6.00 per class. All materials are provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane, Gloria Eastwood, Mary Louise Dodge, and Terri Keller.

Writers Group

Love to write? The group celebrates all different types of writing styles and formats. Join at any time. Admission is free.

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

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Instructor: Melissa Russo: Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor

Yoga for You at Night!

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.

Mondays through December from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm except November 21st.

$10 per class

Instructor: Mary Frances Giodano, certified Hatha yoga instructor

Yoga for You -Saturdays

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

Saturdays through December from 10:00 am -11:00 am

Admission is $10 per class.

Instructor: Mary Frances Giordano, certified Hatha yoga instructor

Young at Art - Preschool Art, ages 4 and 5

Preschoolers will have the opportunity to engage in projects that encourage critical thinking and problem solving skills as they explore drawing, painting, paper & sculpture.

Thursdays, noon - 12:45 pm. November 10, 17, Dec. 1, 8.

Admission is $25 per session.

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