First Posted: 2/7/2014

What an amazing crowd came out to see Jeff Mitchell’s recent hiking presentation at the Dietrich. Over 200 folks viewed his photos of the incredible vistas of our area. After seeing his presentation, I think I will make an effort to go to State Game Lands 57 and Worlds End State Park when the weather gets warmer. We would like to thank Jeff for donating his time and books that he made available for us to sell.

Join us for our next nature-related happenings in March. Naturalist Rick Koval will be back with his ever popular presentation for all ages “Reptiles and Amphibians of Northeastern Pennsylvania” on Saturday, March 8 at 11 a.m.

During this PowerPoint program, Rick will showcase over 44 species of turtles, snakes, salamanders and more that reside in our region. After the program, you will have the opportunity to meet and hold some of these wonderful creatures. Admission is free. Call the Dietrich at 570-996-1500 to reserve your free tickets today.

The theater will also be offering “Little People & Nature” for children ages 2 ½ to 5 years old and their accompanying adults in March. During these series, participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of nature topics each week with Rebecca Lesko of the Endless Mountains Nature Center. Children will create crafts, play games and listen to stories related to each week’s theme. There will be a Tuesday series on March 4 through March 25 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. and a Wednesday series on March 5 through March 26 at the same time. All are invited to sign up for these free classes by calling the Dietrich at 570-996-1500. These offerings have been underwritten by the Overlook Estate Foundation.

If your little ones are more interested in the arts, we invite you to take part in the Dietrich’s Preschool Trash to Treasures series which starts this week at the theater. Children ages 4 and 5 years old will create 3D collages out of an assortment household items. I’ve seen children create dinosaurs, giraffes, robots and more in these fun art classes. Classes will be held on Thursdays, Feb. 13 through March 6 from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.; admission is free. Call the theater at 570-996-1500 to sign up.

For adults who are interested in crafts, Esther Harmatz will be offering an Easy Beads: Create in Clay workshop on Monday, Feb. 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. In this session, students will learn to create handmade, original beads as they experiment with different designs and layering techniques. By the end of the class, students will have fashioned a pair of earrings and a bracelet from the polymer clay beads they have created. No experience is required, and Esther will provide all of the materials. Admission is $45.

And just a reminder, next Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Tunkhannock Public Library, we will have a special guest at our Wyoming County Reads discussion. Suzanne Fisher Staples will talk about Afghan culture and share her experiences in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Suzanne worked as a news reporter in both countries and returned to Pakistan to assess the lives of poor rural women for a literacy project with the United States Agency for International Development. She also authored several award-winning novels including “Under the Persimmon Tree”, which is set in Afghanistan, and the “Newbery Honor Book Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind”, which is about nomadic camel herders in Pakistan. It should be a fascinating discussion. We hope to see you there.

As you can see, the Dietrich is so much more than the movies!