Submitted Article
The Dietrich Theater invites all who will make Tunkhannock their destination on Founders Day, Saturday, June 24, to make sure to stop by the theater. Guests are invited to take in the exhibit of Wyoming County’s Industrial Past, stay for Bob Baker’s presentation of Wyoming County’s Industrial Past as reflected in the news, take a guided tour of Tunkhannock’s Industrial Past, browse the Kitson Arts Alliance “In the Open Air” exhibit of drawings and paintings, see open-air artists at work, enjoy freshly made strawberry shortcake, and make a basket raffle choice. To make the day complete, theater fans should attend Shakespeare in the Park at Riverside Park at 7 pm. Exhibits and events at the theater are free and open to all.
Founders Day summons us to look back at our history, to look back at life as it used to be. The Wyoming County’s Industrial Past exhibit in the Earnshaw Gallery at the Dietrich Theater is a journey into the work world of yesteryear in Wyoming County. Come and see photos of Tunkhannock streetscapes, an aerial photo of Tunkhannock in 1939, a barber shop in the early 1900s, a general store in Laceyville, a grist mill in Meshoppen, and a stone yard in Nicholson.
Also exhibited are the vintage tools, from a telegraph machine to historic farming implements. At 11 am on Founders Day, the journey into the past will be further explored by Bob Baker, editor of the Wyoming County Press Examiner, in a free presentation of Wyoming County’s Industrial Past as Reflected in the News, a fascinating exploration of how industrial changes and events were interpreted by the newspapers.
For an actual walk to discover Tunkhannock’s industrial history, there will be a tour at 12:30 pm., starting at the theater and following the streets that not so long ago were lined with hotels, a woolen mill, a feed mill, railroad station, tannery, and more. It’s an immersion into history for Founders Day in Tunkhannock.
Also at the Dietrich Theater, visitors can explore the world of plein air painting, gathered and installed by Kitson Arts Alliance. Renderings by seven artists, working with watercolor or pen and ink, will be displayed or seen creating their art on site. Homemade strawberry shortcake will be offered at the Dietrich Theater for everyone. This fundraiser for children’s programming at the theater is served in the long tradition of Founders Day. The popular and ever-pleasing combination of strawberries, whipped cream, and homemade shortcake lovingly made by the Dietrich Fundraising Committee is served right next to the selection of specially assembled baskets for the Basket Raffle. Guests are invited to buy basket raffle tickets, knowing that all proceeds go toward free programs for children.
To make a perfect day of it, Shakespeare in the Park at Riverside Park brings back the Gamut Theatre Group of Harrisburg for a production of “Romeo and Juliet” at 7 pm. Playgoers need to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets, but the production is free. Shakespeare’s beautiful play will be performed in a 75-minute version in his own words with narration to bridge scenes. Always included is a short introduction and a talkback with actors at the end. For information about Founders Day at the Dietrich Theater call 570-996-1500.