Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater 

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Upcoming Events at the Dietrich 

Dietrich Theater Quilt Raffle

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At the Dietrich by Hildy Morgan     

         So. When Shannon was a teenager (I know I have told you this a million times, but think of me as that dotty aunt of yours who repeats herself while growing old and ... well... dottier) I used to tell her never to give up on life. You never know what perfectly delightful surprise will await you 'round the next corner. You never know what perfectly delicious thing will happen that you didn't expect. In other words, I would tell her, there are so many delights awaiting you. Wade through the bad time the best way you can and know that the good times will come when you least expect them.
And I have had two such delights in the last few days. Which I want to tell you about. In chronological order, there was the incredibly fine Shakespeare Company of Scranton doing As You Like It at the park in Scranton. And because Douglas Carter Beane was involved in the production and because it was his birthday, the ladies of the Dietrich (and Omar, who is an honorary L.o.t.D.) were invited to Posh to help celebrate. It was great fun, (the production was wonderful!!!) but also because we got to see the Fassetts and the Beanes and it was so lovely. Gloria's daughter and totally lovely granddaughter, Ann, was there - a delightful fourteen year old who had just been to "Book Camp" - I did't even know there was such a thing, but I want to go!!! And Paul Beane, the daddy of the great talent, was there and I have to tell you, he is just the sweetest man! It is always so good to see him - he's one of those wonderful people who just makes you feel so good about yourself! No wonder his boy is a star! It was a grand night and we are so grateful to have been included. Thank you, Beanes and Fassetts - we had a fabulous time!!!
But going back a few days, my dear friend Jeanne Moran had called, out of the blue, and said that she and three friends were going to Ocean City Maryland from Sunday through Wednesday, and one of the friends had to cancel and would I like to go. Knee jerk reaction - "oh no, but thanks for asking. Too much to do. Hubby and dr. appointment, the sky may fall, etc. etc. etc.
I hung up and said hubby asks - "What was that about?"
"Nothing," I say.
"You had an awful lot of excuses for nothing," he counters. Sigh.
So I tell him. So he tells me to go - how often do I get invited to the ocean. I tell him I was just there about six weeks ago, (not Ocean City there but ocean there) for my darling nephew's wedding. He says so what? Go go go go go!
So I called Jeanne back and said I'd go. And then I thought about all the bad things that could happen if I went. The sky could definitely fall (as an outcropping of climate change) and I really had to take it back.
"Don't do that," said hubby said. "Just go. Relax. Have fun."
So I went.
And here I am, writing to you, approximately half a block from the beach and it is glorious! We are having the best time. Jeanne's friend Christa is one of the loveliest people I've ever met - she brought a waffle iron with her so she could make waffles with fresh raspberries our first morning here - I mean really, who does that???
We have walked, we have gone out to eat and watch the sun set on the bay, we have walked the entire three miles of Boardwalk and have eaten a perfectly divine frozen custard. We have ridden the shuttle bus along with about a zillion people of all ages and sizes and colors and they are all having such a good time that it brings joy just to be part of it. For centuries, probably since the first morning when the earth began, people have been healed by the ocean, by the complexity of life there, by the beauty of the creatures who live here. I am having a wonderful time. Last week at this time, I had no expectation that I would be walking on the sand and watching the sun set. Isn't life simple grand? You just never know, do you, when the next wave of happiness will wash over you?
See you at the Dietrich!
PS. Don't forget River Day!

Live at the Dietrich by Erica Rogler 

Have you ever wondered what it takes to make a film?  There is so much involved from screenwriting, to casting, to shooting and editing!  Tomorrow, Thursday, July 17 at 7:00 p.m., the Dietrich will play host to local film makers as they show us clips from their recent movies and discuss the filmmaking process.  We are very excited about this event because two of the filmmakers, Jay Jadick and Benjamin Davis, used to work at the Dietrich when they were teenagers.  The evening will showcase clips from their movie Driving Not Knowing, which they created with Dylan Hansen-Fliedner, and Dane Mainella.  They finished filming the movie which is set in Wyoming County, and are now currently raising funds through kickstarter.com in order to cover the costs associated with post production, entry fees for film festival submissions and distribution costs. 

The other short film that will be featured during the evening is Pitchfork. Produced by Todd Oravic and Ryan Wood and written by Kevin Conner, their movie is about a farmer who is trying to save both his drought-ravaged cornfield and his once happy marriage. It is also set in northeastern Pennsylvania.  So come out and join us for a sneak peek of these films, and support our local film makers.  Admission is free. For more information, please call the Dietrich at 570-996-1502.

Then on Saturday, July 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., we encourage you to gather up your family and friends, and make your way to Tunkhannock’s Riverside Park for River Day.  Take in the beautiful scenery as you enjoy live music, participate in fitness activities, explore nature, learn about various environmental organizations, visit food and farm vendors and more.  There will also be nature activities, face painting and mural painting for kids.  The Ross Park Zoo Mobile will be there will live animals for all ages to meet and learn about.  High Energy Fitness and Karate will present a karate demo. The gym will also host mini fitness demos and classes that day too. Admission to River Day is free.  For more information, feel free to call us at 570-996-1500 or visit www.dietrichtheater.com.

If you would like to experience the natural beauty of our area from the river, we encourage you to take part in one of two river floats that day. Offered by Endless Mountain Outfitters and Susquehanna Kayak & Canoe Rentals, you will have the option of kayaking from Mehoopany to Riverside Park or taking a shorter trip from Howland Preserve to the park.  For more information or reservations please call Endless Mountain Outfitters at 570-746-9140 or Susquehanna Kayak & Canoe Rentals at 570-388-6107.

Another free event that is just around the corner is the Dietrich Children’s Theatre’s performance of The Mouse’s Marriage.  Children and families are invited to join us on Saturday, July 26 at 11:00 a.m. at the theater for this Japanese folk tale.  During this interactive play, audience members will meet a young mouse couple who fall in love and want to marry.  But the girl’s father wants her to marry the strongest, smartest, best husband in the world.  He thinks the best match is the Sun. But perhaps the Cloud is stronger than the Sun? Or maybe the Wind is smarter than the Cloud? Come and find out who makes the best match of all.  Tickets are available by calling the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 or at the door as long as they last.