Pictured is Dr. Meg Hatch from Penn State who will be giving a presentation on birds at the Dietrich’s next Science on Screen event on June 5.
Out my kitchen window yesterday, my gaze went to a bird on the lawn that was hammering its beak into the ground, unperturbed that I was watching. I suddenly got excited, because I thought it might be a flicker, a woodpecker I have not seen for several years. At first I thought it might be a mourning dove. It was a similar size. But then I could see the moon shaped crest of black on the breast, the stroke of red on its head, and its speckled breast. It definitely was a flicker.
Why was I thrilled to see it? Ever since I was a young child my father instilled in me a love of birds. And when I was in third grade we studied birds, and even performed a play about birds for the student body. The bird I studied was the flicker. And in the play I was a flicker, complete with a handmade costume that I helped create. In the play, I was also the teacher! But that is another story. My first multi-tasking experience!
Even if you have not been a bird in a play, we are inviting you to a free Science on Screen event coming up at the Dietrich on Saturday, June 5, at 10 a.m. It is a coming-of-age story, all about birds. “A Birder’s Guide to Everything” is about a 15 year old boy and his friends who go off on their own to find a bird that is believed to be extinct, a story that embodies the lure of birding, even for teenagers.
Following the movie, Dr. Meg Hatch, Associate Professor of Biology at Penn State University, will discuss the different types of parental care found in birds, and the effect of disturbance of the nest on parental behavior. This event is free; an initiative of the Coolidge Corner Theatre with major support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. This is one of a series of Science on Screen events that seek to bring science to a broader audience. Reservations are greatly encouraged, as our audience is restricted due to social distancing. Please call the Dietrich at 570-836-1022 ext 3 to reserve your free tickets.
Good news! Summer Camps for the 5-14 year old set are back at the Dietrich! Ever since we reopened the Dietrich, we had a mission to provide free or low cost opportunities for children. In the summer of 2002, we had our first camps, and except for last summer, we have been offering camps ever since. They are all on our website, www.dietrichtheater.com.
Check out Acting Camp for Kids in July, a perennial favorite, taught by Michaela Moore, including theater games, character creation, and even a play performance for family and friends. Camp 1 is July 12 to 16 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Camp 2 is July 26to 30 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
For kids 7-14, Digital Arts Camp is back, taught by Rand Whipple, August 2 to 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. Claymation, digital books, film, robotics and more. All equipment is provided. Another camp taught by Rand Whipple for kids 7-14 is Lego Maniacs Camp, the same week from 10 a.m. to noon. Make a Lego movie! Share it with your class!
Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking Camp, taught by Steve Colley, is for 5-12 year old kids, from July 19 to 23 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. So many mediums to explore with our popular art instructor.
Amy Colley and Michaela Moore team up to teach two visual and performing arts camps: Kings and Queens of Change: A Renaissance Adventure and Villains, July 12 to 16 from 10 a.m. to noon; and Monsters and Creepy Creatures July 26-30 from 10 a.m. to noon. A wonderful way to explore and create new worlds, ending with a performance for family and friends. Call the Dietrich to register for any of these camps and more, and create a wonderful summer for your kids.
All of these instructors have enriched the lives of hundreds of children over our last 20 years. We celebrate all they have contributed to our community to enable us to fulfill our mission. And we celebrate all of you who have made our dream come true by being a part of our history.
