Excessive heat warnings did not prevent 450 people from coming to Riverside Park for the 15th annual River Day celebration along the Susquehanna River.
Twenty hardy paddlers of kayaks and canoes made the trip from Meshoppen to Tunkhannock. The Dietrich Theater staff kept as cool as could be with neck fans blowing constantly around their necks. Sno cones sold by the Robotics Club were in great demand, as were cones from Mannings Ice Cream. An unpredicted pop up thunder and lightening storm at 4 p.m. sent people to their cars to wait it out and be safe. Some people left but enough stayed to end the evening with wonderful blue grass music from the band Blue Roots. Thank you to the Overlook Estate Foundation for its sponsorship of this event to celebrate our beautiful Susquehanna River and its surroundings.
We all have dreams of what we would like to accomplish in our lives, so it was beautiful to watch one couple actual realize their dream in the movie “The Biggest Little Farm.” Imagine leaving the city to create a farm in total harmony with nature. Converting 200 acres in the foothills of Ventura County into a farm was to be a seven-year project, directed by an ecological farm expert and dreamer. The movie includes gorgeous scenes of the barren landscape being reconfigured with orchards, chickens, livestock, and finally wildlife – all in perfect harmony with nature. It may seem like an impossible dream, but the movie leaves the impression we can at least try to make our dreams come true.
To the surprise of everyone in the audience, we discovered in the talk back with farmers Gerald and Tina Carlin afterward, that a cousin of one of the stars in the movie was in the audience. Caitlin Weaver, of Harveys Lake, cousin of Molly in the movie, brought her infant with her to this special showing. It was indeed a surprise!
To share your thoughts about any of the Summer Fest movies, join the conversation on Friday, Aug. 2 at 1 p.m. for the Post Film Festival Discussion at the Dietrich. Ronnie Harvey, Dietrich Film Booker, leads the discussion, having seen most if not all of the films. It’s fun, and the discussion may give you more insight into the films and direct you to films you still want to see.
Calling all young dancers! Mondays and Tuesdays, Aug, 5 and 6 Judy Weist and Sara Grigalunas of State Door Dance invite ages 2-9 to free dance classes: ages 2-3, 10 to 10:45 a.m; ages 4-6, 11 to 11:45 a.m.; ages 7-9 noon to 12:45 p.m. Just call 570-996-1500 to register.
Theatre fans will be glad to know that National Theatre Live returns to the Dietrich on Sundays, Aug. 11 and 18 at 2 p.m. with “All About Eve,” a filmed performance starring Gillian Anderson whom you might have seen in “A Streetcar Named Desire.” “All About Eve” is the story of Margo Channing, now aging film star who is eclipsed by young and beautiful Eve. Jealousy. Ambition. Our obsession with celebrity. They all play out in this performance. Tickets are available at the door or online. I will be there for sure.
So much to see and do at the Dietrich! What will bring you here? A movie in one of our four theaters? A dance class for your little one? A theatre performance on screen? All of these and more are just waiting for you. We do it all for you.
