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This past Wednesday, little ones and their favorite adults learned about using their five senses to appreciate the natural world around them in Little People and Nature at the Dietrich Theater.

Rebecca Lesko of the Endless Mountains Nature Center set up fun activity stations for children ages two-and-a-half to five and their parents, grandparents and caregivers to experience nature using their senses. They reached into bags to use their sense of touch to identify objects such as feathers, stones and antlers. They used their sense of smell to recognize spices and their sense of taste when they ate oranges. Little ones also used their sight to pinpoint different colors in Jim and Joan Borden’s Wildlife Photography exhibit which is currently on display at the Dietrich.

Classes will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays through March 25 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Students are encouraged to join the class at any time for one or more sessions. Topics will include “Feeder Flutter,” “Owls” and “Bear Buddies.” We hope to see you there.

The Dietrich will also host a nature presentation for all ages at 11 a.m. this Saturday, March 14 with Rick Koval. During this program we will learn how animals use mimicry and camouflage to avoid detection. It amazes me how animals can blend right in with their natural habitat. At the end of the presentation, Rick will have an interactive quiz, where attendees will be asked to find animals in the photos he presents.

Admission is free and tickets can be reserved by calling the theater at 570-996-1500 and will be available at the door. We would like to thank the Overlook Estate Foundation for underwriting this program.

For those who are more interested in visual arts, the Dietrich has a fun new workshop for adults coming up. From 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 20, we invite adults ages 21 and older to take part in a Fine Art, Fine Wine workshop. During this class, you will learn how to paint a still-life. Artists-in-residence Steve and Amy Colley will be provide the instruction and art supplies, and you can bring your friends, favorite wine and snacks.

Admission is $25 and includes instruction and painting materials. Call the Dietrich for more information or to register. Space is limited.

For those more interested in music, the Dietrich will present an afternoon of classical guitar at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 22. Guitarist Jay Steveskey will be back to perform music from two of his favorite composers: Johann Sebastian Bach and Heitor Villa-Lobos.

This concert is sponsored by John Keker in memory of Jessie Reppy Keker. Admission is free. The show will be followed by a light reception. Tickets are available by calling the Dietrich or at the door.

At the end of the month, the Dietrich will offer a health and wellness program, Diabetes Prevention and Management: Understanding the Key to Control.

Join us at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28 as we explore lifestyle modifications for the prevention of Type II diabetes. During the talk, Certified Diabetes Educator Deborah Brown will discuss risk factors for the disease and what we can do now to prevent the onset of diabetes. She will also explain what diabetes is, how to live with it and successfully manage it for a long and healthy life.

Tickets will also be available at the door or by calling the theater.

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