Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater

Newsletter for February 14, 2014

570-836-1022

Now Showing at the Dietrich

(Click on Movie Posters for Showtimes and Synopses.)

Upcoming Events - Please join us for...

Wyoming County Reads

Free book discussions will be held on Wednesdays, February 19 through March 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tunkhannock Public Library.

February 19 Discussion Suzanne Fisher Staples will discuss Afghan culture and her experiences in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Opening MIc Night - Featuring Brian Fanelli

Open Mic Night

Poets, musicians, comedians, and other local performers are invited to share their talents.

Come and perform or be entertained!

At the Dietrich by Hildy Morgan

So. I am sitting here at my new/old desk surrounded by cool stuff that I bought right here in T’town. When I realized that, I was so happy I decided I needed to tell you about it. (I mean, I’m always and forever telling you how you really really really have to come to your local movie theater, so of course I really really really need to shop in town, don’t I? Well, it turns out I did. My new/old desk, probably built in the late teens or early twenties of the last century, came from The Eclectic Heart. It’s a huge old oak desk and I’m enchanted by the thought of how many hands have rested on it while writing letters (perhaps to soldiers serving in the war that was to end all wars) or perhaps figuring bills during the depression, or, once again, writing to a soldier as the world once again tumbled into darkness. How many wee ones sat here, struggling with their math problems or maybe turning the pages of a beloved book. I feel the ghosts. And, apparently, so do my cats.

Hearing that many writers used a cat as their muse, as soon as I sat down at the new piece of furniture, cats appeared as if by magic. One sat on the left hand corner, adopted an expression of great wisdom, blinked her eyes at me and purred. The other, in some sort of manic fit, began to bring me all his toys, as if he needed to pay homage to the newness in the room. I wondered if they wondered how many cats had sat here with their people, taking part in whatever was created on this old oak desktop.

And then I realized that on the right side of the desk I had placed a wonderful old hand-painted lamp from Bridge Street Marketplace. On the other side, holding its own with the cat, I had a new but antiquey looking jug with flowers in it – the jug was from the Mary-Go-Round (I can’t even talk about how sad I feel that it is gone) and on the wall above my piano is a painting Jennie got me for Christmas from The Electric Heart and on the other wall is a cat print (like I really need that) from Bridge Street. (And, oh yeah, my little $3.00 bunch of flowers came from Bricks.)

So for those who think you have to go to the city to get neat stuff, I most heartily differ! From antiques to the wonders of Gay’s to the great little restaurants to the four screen movie theater (best ever, ever, ever!) to all the terrific classes and gallery openings and concerts and plays and lectures etc etc etc that our cultural folks bring to town – well, really, there is barely a reason to leave town! Well….unless your daughter lives in Minneapolis, that is.

Okay. Now you simply MUST go to see Monuments Men! When Sandy and Ronnie and my hubby and I saw it Saturday night the theater was packed and we had to sit about three rows from the screen, but it was okay in the Dalton because the seats tilt back. It’s SUCH a great movie – an homage, really, to WW2 movies – you know, the kind we grew up with. And for our generation, that WW2 connection is a powerful one. And a real plus for me – NO computer generated anything! Praise be!

Well, it seems that lately I’m always having to say goodbye to someone. Last Friday I went to pay my respects to the family of Jennie Bartron. Again, I wasn’t a close friend of hers, I barely knew her. But what I did know I just loved. She was so funny, so determined, so full of life. She was the perfect role model for growing older with grace and character. She remained an important part of her family until the day she died. And she never missed a film festival gala night. She was the first one I’d talk to after the food was served. “How was it, Jennie?” I’d ask. “Just delicious. Best ever,” she’d say and then we’d chat about the movies and the food and, I don’t know, just stuff. She was so terrific. Gala night will never be the same. I’m so glad I knew her. I think anyone who did came out a winner. And I’m really, really sorry to see her go. Partings hurt. My best wishes are with her family – it was so obvious how much they loved her.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at the Dietrich by Erica Rogler

Live at the Dietrich for February 12, 2014

What an amazing crowd came out to see Jeff Mitchell’s recent hiking presentation at the Dietrich. Over 200 folks viewed his photos of the incredible vistas of our area. After seeing his presentation, I think I will make an effort to go to State Game Lands 57 and Worlds End State Park when the weather gets warmer. We would like to thank Jeff for donating his time and books that he made available for us to sell.

Join us for our next nature related happenings in March. On Saturday, March 8 at 11:00 a.m., naturalist Rick Koval will be back with his ever popular presentation for all ages “Reptiles and Amphibians of Northeastern Pennsylvania”. During this PowerPoint program, Rick will showcase over 44 species of turtles, snakes, salamanders and more that reside in our region. After the program, you will have the opportunity to meet and hold some of these wonderful creatures. Admission is free. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to reserve your free tickets today.

The theater will also be offering “Little People & Nature” for children ages 2 ½ to 5 years old and their accompanying adults in March. During these series, participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of nature topics each week with Rebecca Lesko of the Endless Mountains Nature Center. Children will create crafts, play games and listen to stories related to each week’s theme. There will be a Tuesday series on March 4 through March 25 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and a Wednesday series on March 5 through March 26 at the same time. All are invited to sign up for these free classes by calling the Dietrich at 570-996-1500. These offerings have been underwritten by the Overlook Estate Foundation.

If your little ones are more interested in the arts, we invite you to take part in the Dietrich’s Preschool Trash to Treasures series which starts this week at the theater. Children ages four and five years old will create 3D collages out of an assortment household items. I’ve seen children create dinosaurs, giraffes, robots and more in these fun art classes. Classes will be held on Thursdays, February 13 through March 6 from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., and admission is free. You can’t beat that, right! Call the theater at 570-996-1500 to sign up.

For adults who are interested in crafts, Esther Harmatz will be offering an Easy Beads: Create in Clay workshop on Monday, February 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In this session, students will learn to create handmade, original beads as they experiment with different designs and layering techniques. By the end of the class, students will have fashioned a pair of earrings and a bracelet from the polymer clay beads they have created. No experience is required, and Esther will provide all of the materials. Admission is $45.

And just a reminder, next Wednesday, February 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tunkhannock Public Library, we will have a special guest at our Wyoming County Reads discussion. Suzanne Fisher Staples will talk about Afghan culture and share her experiences in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Suzanne worked as a news reporter in both countries and returned to Pakistan to assess the lives of poor rural women for a literacy project with the United States Agency for International Development. She also authored several award-winning novels including Under the Persimmon Tree, which is set in Afghanistan, and the Newbery Honor Book Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind, which is about nomadic camel herders in Pakistan. It should be a fascinating discussion. We hope to see you there.

Additional Upcoming Events

(Click on Pictures for Event Details)

One Night in Paris

Saturday, March 1 at 11:00 a.m.

Performed by After School Theatre Arts students

Tickets: $5 each

Reptiles and Amphibians of Northeastern Pennsylvania

Saturday, March 8 at 11:00 a.m.
Presented by: Rick Koval
Admission: Free
Sponsored by: The Overlook Estate Foundation

Writing a Novel - A Personal Journey

Sunday, March 9 at 3:00 p.m.
Presented by: Jeanne Moran
Admission: Free

Dietrich Classic Movie Series: Double Indemnity

Wednesday, March12 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Tickets: $5 each

Women's Forum: Violence Against Women in Northeastern Pennsylvania

Come to the Dietrich Theater on Sunday, March 16 at 3:00 pm for a Women’s Forum on Violence Against Women in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Why do we have a culture of violence especially against women?

Do laws protect women? What are the issues law enforcement officers face?

What can you do to help someone you know is abused?

Answering these questions will be panel members: Wyoming County’s District Attorney, Jeff Mitchell; Wyoming County’s Assistant District Attorney, Gerald Idec; Janet MacKay and Patrick Rushton of the Victim’s Resource Center in Wyoming County; and Laurel Hasenzahl, Wyoming County Juvenile Probation Officer. Moderating the forum will be Marnie Hiester-Idec, Professor of Psychology at Misericordia University.

All are welcome to this free forum on Sunday, March 16 at 3:00 pm. Reservations are not necessary but can be made by calling the Dietrich Theater at 570-996-1500.

For a Complete Listing of Events Please Click Here