John Tindell speaking at the Dietrich's Oscar History Presentation
What a week it was! A Wyoming County Reads wrap-up discussion at our neighboring new Little Book Place, a presentation about the history of the Oscars, and a Winter Fest that is bringing in a growing audience for foreign and independent films.
First of all, thank you to Mary Zbegner for leading us in discussions of Cold Mountain, the book and the movie. Always leading us to a better understanding, Mary not only brought us to a better appreciation of the setting of the book, but she also showed us an interview with the author Charles Frazier. Everyone showed up on a cold winter’s night to both discussions, a testament to Mary’s teaching and sharing. And thank you to Stacy Hovan, owner of The Little Book Place, for hosting us in the charming new bookstore in Tunkhannock. I came away with two books, a magnetic bookmark and a mug with the logo of the new store. Stop by soon and see what grabs your interest. Maybe it is a Blind Date with brown paper wrapped book, with a teaser list of clues telling what it is about. I have seen that Blind Dates are also available at the Tunkhannock Public Library, an ingenious way to spark reading.
The morning before the Oscar Awards, John Tindell, professor at Northampton Community College, shared with us the entire history of the Oscars. As promised, we now know why it is call the “Oscars.” Interesting to me was learning that the first librarian of the Academy Awards was Margaret Herrick. The story goes that when she first saw the first sculpture of the statue, she exclaimed, “It looks just like my uncle Oscar!” The name was used in jest, and then it stuck, according to Tindell, or at least that is one of the three myths of how the Oscar got its name. We also learned that the statue was made from an artist’s drawing, that it weighs 8 pounds of brass with a 24K gold coating. Furthermore, we learned that in almost 100 years the award ceremony has never been cancelled, although it has been postponed. When asked at the end of the interactive presentation which movie would win best picture, John Tindell replied, “Probably Conclave.”
So which Winter Fest movie is bringing the biggest audience to the Dietrich? Well, Diane Salsman, our Dietrich Board Member and volunteer at the ticket booth, just told me that the movie bringing the biggest audience at the Dietrich is Conclave. It did not win the Best Picture award, but almost 100 saw it here last Sunday! Now that I have seen 10 of the 21 films in Winter Fest I have the perception that our audiences are growing for foreign and independent films. I plan to see the movie that won Best Picture for the Oscars – the movie Anora within the next week. I have heard that it won because it is a most unusual story, starring a unique 25-year-old actress, and that it is new and original filmmaking. It is the kind of film that the Oscars are created to celebrate.
We learn so much from these films and now we can discuss our opinions and what we find amazing and enlightening the day after the end of the festival on Friday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m. Come join the fun with Ronnie Harvey who selected the films. Usually, if we are lucky, a fan of the films named Glenda, treats us to Krispy Kreme donuts!
Is Leprechaun Lore on your calendar? It is on mine. Saturday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m., Hal Pratt, master storyteller, returns to our stage to tell you everything you need to know about leprechauns. You need to see how he comes to life as a leprechaun, a little marvel right here at the Dietrich. It is a free presentation. And you are invited – the young and the young at heart. Come and be charmed.
And I am excited about the upcoming Gather and Grow: Community Plant and Seed Swap and the presentation of Plant Myths Debunked on Saturday, March 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Dietrich, with the presentation at 10:30 a.m. It was an event like this several years ago that inspired me to start my own seedlings. Sometimes you just need a little inspiration. I will be there again – for sure.
