Yesterday we were transported to faraway lands full of magic and whimsical characters when master storyteller Fiona Powell took us on an adventure in storytelling.
In the morning, preschoolers came to the Dietrich Theater and listened and interacted to her tales of “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “Going on a Bear Hunt.” Then in the afternoon, she took her spinning wheel to Roslund Elementary School and spun yarns about The Three Sillies and Davey’s hunting trip with two bullets. There, children also learned about her spinning wheel and the process of turning wool into yarn.
That evening at the Tunkhannock Public Library, Powell took us on a global journey with stories from France, Russia, Germany and her native Wales. In the audience at the library there was another storyteller from Tunkhannock whom Powell knows. Dietrich Program Director Margie Young and I were delighted to learn of another talented storyteller here in our midst and will, hopefully, convince him to tell stories at the Dietrich someday. Fiona ended the day by reminding us to keep telling stories in order to keep the tradition alive.
We would like to thank Fiona for her wonderful tales, H.A.N.D.S. of Wyoming County for helping organize the event, Roslund Elementary School and the Tunkhannock Public Library for helping host Fiona and Toni Hockman for underwriting the day. We are grateful!
Storytelling was not the only activity going on at the Dietrich yesterday morning. Volunteers were busy transforming the Dietrich into a Winter Wonderland. Garlands and wreaths were being fluffed and hung along with countless twinkling lights and Christmas ornaments. Our amazing volunteers worked tirelessly for weeks decking out the Dietrich for Christmas. The finished product will be revealed on Thanksgiving Day. I can guarantee your breath will be taken away when you enter the theater this holiday season. I can’t wait for my niece Audrey and nephew Henry to see it and take it all in during their visit over Thanksgiving.
We would like to thank all those who worked so hard to make the Dietrich look stunning!
Last Thanksgiving my family went to the Dietrich to see “The Peanuts Movie.” It is quite a memory for me because it was Audrey’s and Henry’s first time going to a movie at a theater. They loved seeing Snoopy and his pals dancing on the big screen and, of course, the popcorn! We plan to take them to Moana this Thanksgiving.
Do you remember the first movie you saw at a theater?
In addition to enjoying great blockbusters this time of year, be sure to come to Tunkhannock on Dec. 2 and 3 for Christmas in Our Hometown festivities. During that weekend ,we will show Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas on the big screen at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Admission is free and the showings are sponsored by our friends at Ace-Robbins.
Then the Dietrich will present its popular Holiday Workshop for all ages from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Enjoy a morning of cookie decorating, ornament making, singing with Bill Frye and receive a balloon creation from the balloon lady. Again, admission is free and we would like to thank Ace Robbins for underwriting the workshop.
During Christmas in Our Hometown, the Dietrich will also hold its Homemade Cookie Walk. Here is how it will work: Participants will be able to purchase a container for $5 and fill it with a vast assortment of homemade cookies. It’s great fun and supports a good cause – cultural programming at the Dietrich Theater.
You can’t beat that!
To all of you, we at the Dietrich wish you and yours a happy Thanksgiving!
As you can see, the Dietrich is so much more than the movies.
