The popcorn is always fresh and warm at the Dietrich. Gerard Mirabelli (back) teaches the Dietrich popcorn making secrets to brother Christopher.
Submitted photo
Observing all COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, the Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater is continuing to bring movies, classes, and Zoom opportunities to our community near and far. Thanks to the generous gift of a friend of the Dietrich, our welcoming autumn pumpkin décor around our green space and entrance sets a message announcing to all that the Dietrich is here for you.
Our Kundalini Yoga classes with Barbara Tierney have been ongoing at Riverside Park since July, taking advantage of the great outdoors and the beauty of one of Tunkhannock’s treasured parks along the Susquehanna River. Last Monday, the scene at our yoga practice was reminiscent of George Seurat’s great masterpiece called A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. But now with colder weather we switch to a Zoom class every Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m. If you want to receive an email that gives you all of the directions to connect to the class in the privacy of your home, please contact 570-836-1022, ext. 3. You can call the same number to get connected to Chair Yoga that continues on Zoom. Simply Yoga with Donna Fetzko has returned in person at the Dietrich, taking advantage of all the space in the Evans Theater, providing plenty of room for social distancing.
Other signs of normality at the Dietrich are encouraging. An extra showing of the movie “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” along with a chance to learn about Chocolates by Leopold, our local chocolatier in Montrose has been added by popular demand. The showing will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10:30 a.m. Call 570-836-1022 ext. 3 for your free tickets. Stay tuned because more Science of Screen movies are still to come. In addition, we added a second jewelry class with Toni Hockman, now in progress.
“Classes like this one are a great way to use your creativity, challenge your mental capacity, and end up relaxing at the same time,” says Erica Rogler, speaking from her own experience in taking these classes. And there are still openings in Pottery and Sculpture for ages 13 and up, on Wednesday nights — another way to escape into the world of your inner creativity.
In the last hour, as I sit in the Dietrich office to write this column, a friend of the Dietrich stopped by to deliver a gift of pottery and sculpture tools for Steve Colley’s classes and a monetary donation to the Dietrich. We are so moved and grateful for all of you who give your time and support to your hometown movie theater and cultural center in these times of need. We have two ongoing fundraisers online on Facebook, one by Toni Hockman, master jewelry artist, and Eric Buffington, sculptor and ceramic artist. Christmas is closer than you think! What great presents you can buy and help the Dietrich at the same time!
Just this last week, in a contemplative moment, I tried to imagine what my life in Northeastern Pennsylvania would be like if the Dietrich Theater was not in it. How would I keep learning through movies, events and classes? Who would be my friends and acquaintances? How would I find educational opportunities, ways to explore new ideas?
I was so fortunate to be part of this incredible organization since 1998 and continue to marvel that, even at 15% capacity due to the pandemic, we are still able to work towards our mission. Our three art galleries shout it out. Our classes keep us in good physical and mental health. Our movies keep entertaining and challenging us. And you inspire us as you support us in so many ways through donations or good deeds.
