Editor’s note: This week’s column was written by Dietrich Theater Program Director Margie Young. Erica Rogler will return next week.

Thank you! Our very first Winter Fest is a great success, so thank you to all of you who attended opening night and some of the 14 foreign and independent films. Our very special gratitude goes to the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau and Peoples Security Bank for their generous sponsorship. You all make it possible for us to be the destination for all those who wish to see the best of films from many countries and from many different perspectives.

As far as I’m concerned, everyone should see “Meet the Patels,” the charming story of merging cultures, a story that portrays the world as it can be at its best. Told with humor and honesty, it is a must-see for all movie-lovers.

And you don’t have to wait long to see the next batch of cream-of-the-crop films. April 1 will be the Opening Night Gala for the Spring Film Festival and Ronnie has already picked out the best ones. Think about it: To see all these movies you would have to go to Philadelphia or New York. Instead, you can come to historic downtown Tunkhannock in the Endless Mountains. Believe it or not people are already reserving their favorite seats Gala Night.

We have special opportunities for the wee ones coming up. Children ages 2 1/2 to 5 are invited to learn about animals and nature in Rebecca Lesko of the Endless Mountains Nature Center from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays or Wednesdays in March. Master teacher Rebecca has all kinds of ways of inspiring awe of the natural world and children and their caregivers are invited.

For middle school and high school students, a very special Dietrich program is about to showcase eight weeks of learning about theatre and rehearsing a play called “Class Action” by Brad Slaight. The public is invited to see how much the kids have learned. What do the kids think about it?

“It is the highlight of my day,” said one student.

Their enthusiasm is contagious. Come and see their play, the culmination of this free program that is sponsored by the Overlook Estate Foundation, Walmart, and Wells Fargo Foundation.

Our Wyoming County Reads program this year is revisiting Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird,” culminating with free showings of the acclaimed movie with Gregory Peck at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2. Even if you have not attended discussions or read the book you are invited to come. The book and film have so much to teach us about truth and justice. Or just come to pay tribute to Harper Lee, who just died last week. Atticus Finch, the fictional character she created, will always be a hero to those who read the book or see the film.

Finally, all history buffs will not want to miss a very special opportunity to see a film about Moravian history entitled “David Zeisberger, Apostle Among Indians” at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 13. This free showing will be followed by a post-film discussion with Dr. Katherine Faull of Bucknell University. The movie was made for Czech Public TV to acquaint Czechoslovakians with the work of David Zeisberger, Moravian missionary, and his effort to Christianize Indians in Pennsylvania. So save the date.

Movies, theatre, nature, literature, history — all right here at the Dietrich!

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More Than Movies

Erica Rogler

Reach the Abington Journal newsroom at 570-587-1148 or news@s24528.p831.sites.pressdns.com.