At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

So I told you I’d let you know how the experiment bringing “Constantine” in went. Hmmmm. Not so good. A couple obvious problems with it. Probably the first and foremost being that our audience loves funny or family or both kinds of movies. Constantine is neither. But I have to tell you , that it really is a good movie – if you like that sort of good vs. evil, the devil vs. God kind of thing. My sweet niece (who’s married to the film editor in Los Angeles – how’s that for a bit of a brag? Cool, right?) saw “Constantine” opening night at Graumann’s Chinese Theater. She said it was packed with comic-book nerds like herself and they loved it. I told her we were not packed. “But tell folks how funny Joe Constantine is,” she said. “And tell them that he’s dying of cancer because he smokes all the time and he’s so bright and funny and trying to save people and he’s just a great character and Keanu Reeves is terrific! Tell them that and maybe they’ll come.” So, I’m telling you that. Maybe you could give it a try. We have it for four weeks. (Just shoot me.) And our very own Kim, who adores movies like that, said it was one of the best she’s ever seen. So, those are the opinions from coast to coast. (Heh. Heh.)

Winn-Dixie is a terrific little movie. Wonderful story, great characters and the dearest dog you’ll ever see. A perfect family film – everyone loves it. Come see it. You only have two more weeks!

On to other-than-the-movies. On March 9, at the theater, there will be a public meeting about the problems addiction brings to families. There will be speakers, there will be interaction with the audience. Do try to set aside some time in your busy lives to come to this program. If addiction of some sort hasn’t personally touched you, then I have to tell you that you are one very, very lucky person. But if, like most, addiction has come into your lives either full force or on the margins somehow, then come join us. Like Joe Constantine battling the forces of evil, you too can become a super-hero. Every time we help an addict, or someone who loves an addict, we are fighting evil – we are shining a light into the darkness. For addicts are us. I can’t keep my hands out of the cookie jar, so I sit in judgement of no one with a need for a fix. But I do know the terrible darkness that descends on the lives of those whose addictions are to heroin and its ilk. Come help us light some candles in the darkness. It’s such a good, good cause.

And speaking of lights in the darkness, some of the light went out of the world last week when Tunkhannock lost one of its great ones. Don Sick died, way, way too soon. He was one of the strongest personalities I ever met. He could shiver your timbers with one look. But he used that incredibly powerful personality for good and he built a fire company usually seen only in cities – and with all volunteers. He was a great man. He brooked no nonsense and he didn’t suffer fools gladly, but he was kind and generous and loving. He was our first major donor to the Dietrich Fund when we started this project seven years ago. “I don’t give a damn about the movies,” he said, “but they mean the world to Jean. So, take this, and good luck. And if you need anything, let me know.” With that he put a substantial check in my hands and walked away. And although I’m not sure Don ever did come to the movies, he was always our champion.

Firemen came from all over. Town elders gathered. Regular people turned out in force. They had to have the service at the fire hall – no church would have been big enough to hold such a great spirit. But you know what the biggest tribute to Don was? That his wife and his children and his grandchildren wept copiously at his funeral. His family meant the world to him and they all knew it, down to the youngest of the clan. That tells you all you need to know about him, doesn’t it? Our hearts go out to Jean and his family. It is so very difficult to say goodbye. I can’t think of the passing of a great person, without calling to mind the verse of “On Eagle’s Wings”.

“And God will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you shine like the sun and hold you in the palm of his hand.” That’s where Don is now – in the palm of God’s hand. After a life of such extraordinary service, may he rest in peace.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Live at the Dietrich February 23, 2005

Tonight we will be having our fourth discussion of Wyoming County Reads: One County, One Book, One Movie at the Tunkhannock Public Library at 7:00 pm on the topic of “Justice, Race, and Class in America” with Dr. Warren Bareiss, adjunct professor at Wilkes Unversity, and Dr. Arthur Breese, Director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Diversity Education Consortium and Associate Director of the Diversity Institute at College Misericordia. And tomorrow we’ll wrap up the project with two free showings of “To Kill a Mockingbird” on the big screen. See Gregory Peck on the big screen at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. A discussion “From Novel to Film” will follow each showing with Wilkes University professors Dr. Warren Bareiss and Dr. Jack Greier facilitating. So come out, remember, you don’t have to read the book to see the film!

This past Saturday Catherine Shefski taught “Introduction to Screenwriting”. Students learned about basics of writing a screenplay. I took the same class this past fall and the participants in my class had some pretty amazing screenplay ideas. After you’ve completed a screenplay, getting your work on the big screen is another challenge. On Saturday, March 5th, Catherine Shefski will teach a screenwriting class on “Dialogue and Marketing” from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Learn how to write an effective logline and query letter. Find out how you can get your script in the hands of agents and producers. Learn about contests and online script posting services. Practice your pitch. Admission is $30 and light refreshments will be provided. Catherine Shefski has two completed spec scripts being considered by producers and is currently represented by the Swetky Literary Agency. Call 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Currently, we are busy registering students for March classes at the Dietrich. There are still openings for one of our favorite offerings “Mommy and Me Mixed Media, ages 3 and 4” on Mondays from noon – 12:45 pm. Moms, Dads, grandparents - enjoy an art class with your little one. Amy and Steve Colley, both of whom have their BFAs from Swain School of Design and their MFAs from Parson School of Design, work with your tots creating pottery on pottery wheels, painting, and making collages. This is a great way to prepare your child for school and meet new friends. If this class sounds interesting to those of you with older children, the Dietrich offers “Mixed Media” for children ages 5-12 on Mondays and Fridays from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm. The Dietrich is also registering students now for March “Intergenerational Pottery” on Tuesday from 5:00 – 6:30 pm for all ages, “Pottery and Sculpture” for adults and students on Monday nights from 7:00 – 8:30 pm, and “Mixed Media/Portfolio Prep” on Wednesdays from 5:00 –6:30 pm. You can register by calling 570-996-1500.

Besides ongoing classes, on Thursday, March 10th at 7:00 pm the Dietrich will also offer a presentation on the “Art of Making Do” with quilt instructor and author Ingrid Rogler. Learn the history of making do with fabrics and textiles during olden days and today. Hear about tales such as astronauts constructing a makeshift quilt during a space mission. This free presentation is sure to give you a new way of looking at old quilts. Call the theater at 570-996-1500 for details.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

Afternoon Adventures for Girls, grades 5 -8

Hey girl! You are a force to be reckoned with, an independent spirit. Celebrate yourself and your place in the world through interactive seminars on voice, body, culture, art and the environment. This series of classes will be held at the Tunkhannock Middle School. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Thursdays, March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28. 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Free

Everhart Museum Staff

Crafts with Sarah Sidorek, ages 10 and up

Enjoy a Saturday morning of crafts with local artist Sarah Sidorek. March 19th, 10 - 11:30 am - Think Spring - Paint a Birdhouse. Call 570-996-1500 to register

Saturday March 19th, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Cost: $1.00 per class

Instructor: Sarah Sidorek

Decorative Painting - New Night Sessions!

Try your hand at painting decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. All levels of experience welcome. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays through March 30, noon - 3:00 pm. Night Sessions: Thursdays, February 24 and March 3 from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Cost: $15 per class + cost of painting surface

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Dialogue and Marketing for Screenwriters

Learn the art of creating great dialogue and the ins and outs of marketing a screenplay. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Saturday, March 5th from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Cost: $30

Instructor: Catherine Shefski

Dietrich's After School Players, grades 5 -12

Learn theater arts while creating a play, including costuming, set design, makeup, and performing for an audience at the Dietrich. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:30, through March 12.

Cost: $80 ($10 per week)

Instructors: Carl Canedy and Patti Dunning

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 March 8th, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Admission is free.

Instructor: Valerie Paulus

Intergenerational Pottery & Sculpture

This class is designed for students of all ages and levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels and learn hand building techniques. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Tuesdays, 5:00 - 6:30 pm, March 8, 15, 22, 29.

Cost: $30 per child $45 per adult

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

Intergenerational Quilting for all Ages

Learn early American quilting. Recreate the classic pattern Amish Broken Bars (Chinese Coins). Bring a friend or family member. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays, through March 30, 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Cost: $6 per lesson

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler and Peggy Lane

Mixed Media, ages 5 - 8

A new artist will be introduced each week in this Mixed Media class. Students will learn about famous artists in Impressionism, Abstract Expressionism, Cubism, etc. as they create their own works using a variety of materials including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Fridays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm, March 11, 18, April 1, 8.

Cost: $30 for each series of four classes

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

Mixed Media, ages 9 - 12

A new artist will be introduced each week in this Mixed Media class. Students will learn about famous artists in Impresssionism, Abstract Expressionism, Cubism, etc. as they create their own works using a variety of materials including clay, tempera, charcoal, pastels, etc. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Mondays, 4:00 - 5:30 pm. March 7, 14, 21, 28.

Cost: $30 for each series of four classes

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

Mixed Media/ Portfolio, ages 13 and up

In this class, you can build a diverse portfolio as you draw, paint, and create pottery and sculpture. Even if you are not planning a portfolio you will be able to experience art using a variety of materials and learn new techniques. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays, 5:00 - 6:30 pm, March 9, 16, 23, 30.

Cost: $45 for each series of four classes

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

Mommy & Me Mixed Media, ages 3 and 4

Young artists and their Moms, Dads, and grandparents will create works of art in an assortment of materials, including clay, tempera, watercolor and collage. Please call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Mondays, noon - 12:45 pm, March 7, 14, 21, 28.

Cost: $25 for each series of four classes

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

Pottery and Scuplture for Adults, ages 13 and up

This class is designed for students of all levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels and learn hand building techniques as well. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

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

Cost: $45 for each series of four classes.

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

Preschool Art, ages 4 and 5

Preschool students will be introduced to a famous artist each week as they explore a variety of materials such as clay, tempera, watercolors, collage, etc. Call 570-996-1500 to register.

Thursdays, noon - 12:45 pm, March 10, 17, 24, 31.

Cost: $25 for each series of four classes.

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

Pull the Strings, grades 4 - 6

Lights! Camera! Action! Go behind the scenes, write an original play and create a cast of puppet characters for the final puppet theater performance in the Dietrich's very own theater! Call 570-996-1500 to register. Space is limited.

Tuesdays, March 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26. 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Cost: Free!

Instructors: Everhart Museum Staff

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up - Log Cabin Project

Cabin Fever - Warm up while cold winds blow with this Log Cabin/Barn Raising quilting project. Construct one log cabin in 4 easy lessons or build more and discover variations of this popular pattern. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to register.

Wednesdays, through March 30, 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Cost: $6 per lesson

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler and Gloria Eastwood

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