Sirens blared. Horns resonated. Crowds cheered. Young girls beamed from their perch on the Triton Hose fire truck. This was not just a Tunkhannock celebration of the local softball team’s second place in the Softball World Series – it was a countywide celebration with police cars, fire trucks, rescue trucks, and more — oh so many more — vehicles from all over Wyoming County. So many gathered in front of the Dietrich on Tioga Street to watch the history-making parade. We all celebrate the 11-13 year-old girls who have made all of Tunkhannock, Wyoming County and Northeast Pennsylvania so proud. The admonishment so many grew up with – “You throw like a girl” – has a whole new meaning now.
The Dietrich Fall Film Festival will be here before we know it. The reservations are coming in for the only night you need a reservation — the Opening Night Gala. Why should you reserve a seat? Because Gala Night is always an absolutely festive evening of good beer and wine, hors d’oeuvres and dessert. But the evening is really centered around two award-winning films: “Boundaries” and “Puzzle.”
Ronnie Harvey, our film booker, chose these two movies, not only for their “widespread appeal, but also their portrayal of unusual bonding of human relationships — one a classic road trip under unusual circumstances, the other an unusual passion that opens up a whole new world.”
“Boundaries” stars Vera Farmiga as Laura who, along with her teenaged son Henry played by Lewis MacDougall, is forced to drive her pot-dealing father Jack, played by Christopher Plummer, from Portland to her sister’s house in Los Angeles after he is kicked out of a retirement home. A road trip like no other.
“Puzzle” is about Agnes, starring Kelly MacDonald, playing a suburban wife and mother, who discovers a passion for solving jigsaw puzzles which unexpectedly brings her into a new world – where her life plays out in ways she could never have imagined.
To reserve your seats for the evening, call 570-996-1500.
I am usually at the reservation table on Gala Night and I love seeing everyone come in with excitement and happy faces. And why wouldn’t everyone be in a festive mood? You are greeted with your choice of drink as you go to the Evans Theater for the spread of hors d’oeuvres. Epicurean Delight, Twigs Restaurant, Ma Greenley’s BBQ, and the Fireside Restaurant display their delectables “like a cruise ship,” according to many. It is a sight to behold.
Another sight to behold is the spread of desserts by Epicurean Delight after the first movie. Everyone moves into the galleries for dessert and coffee. There are so many choices of cookies, tarts, little cakes, and more. No one goes away hungry.
If you have never come to one of our gala nights – we have four a year – come give one of them a try. Choice seats are still available and we would love to see you. Chances are you will meet new friends. What is guaranteed is that you will see two very special movies, enjoy culinary excellence, and participate in a evening that always ushers in three weeks of the best recent foreign and independent films. You don’t have to go to New York or Philadelphia. Just come to Tunkhannock.
Tunkhannock is not only the Gateway to the Endless Mountains; it is also a destination and a gateway for some of the best movies and entertainment anywhere. A town of 1,761 people, the home of the Lady Tigers Softball Team World Series runner-up, Tunkhannock is bursting with pride. Another source of pride is that Tunkhannock is also the home of four major film festivals every year. Come see this special town and stop in at the Dietrich while you are here. We would love to see you soon. And often.
