TUNKHANNOCK — Hundreds of sparkling lights. Dioramas. Free movie showings of “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas.” Cookie Walk. Gingerbread House display and demo. Holiday Workshop.

Volunteers worked hard to set all the displays and decorations in place and now the Dietrich Theater invites the community to make it a destination for Christmas in Our Hometown on Friday evening, Dec. 4 and Saturday, Dec. 5. No reservations are necessary. The Emmet Otter movie and Holiday Workshop are free, thanks to Ace-Robbins of Tunkhannock.

It became a tradition over the last 10 years to bring family and friends to the free showing of “Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas,” this year showing at 5:30 and 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5. Jim Henson’s Muppets are back on TV and now you can see one of his early movies that tells the story of a poor otter family that risks everything to win the cash prize of a talent show just in time for Christmas. This movie of the beloved picture book by Russell Hoban was made before computer animation, but its artistry and charm endures. Admission and popcorn are free.

As long as the cookies last, community members are also invited to the Dietrich Homemade Cookie Walk on both days of Christmas in Our Hometown, a chance to stock up on homemade Christmas cookies baked by friends of the Dietrich, sold to help support children’s programming at the Dietrich. Buy your own assortment of cookies and help assure free or low cost programs and classes for children. More than 50 bakers donate their favorite cookies each year, making for an assortment of dozens of different delicious homemade cookies. Andfor those who attend on Friday night, make sure to go to the Dietrich’s Fassett Studio for a Gingerbread House display and demo by Keystone Konfections.

The 14th annual Holiday Workshop will fill the theater from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 with holiday music provided by Bill Frye, cookie decorating for everyone, ornament making, and even a chance to have the Balloon Lady create any balloon figure you would like to take home with you.

The Dietrich Theater also welcomes everyone to stop in and take in the displays and dioramas that captivate the imagination and capture the beauty of the season. Special this year are collections of wooden and antique toys, an underground home of surprise tenants, a return of a homemade dollhouse, art works that make special gifts, and more. Coordinating all the displays, Sarah Sidorek works her magic each year, crediting a whole team of volunteers for their time and talent.

For information about all of these activities call 570-996-1500.

Free showings of ‘Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas’ will be presented at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5 at the Dietrich Theater.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_ABJ-Hometown.jpg.optimal.jpgFree showings of ‘Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas’ will be presented at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4 and 5 at the Dietrich Theater. Submitted photo

For Abington Journal

Information provided by the Dietrich Theater.