SPMH to hold Bill Holm tribute during Bug Days

With Boxelder Bug Days getting its name derived from one of Bill Holm's poems, a tribute will be paid to the late poet/musician/essayist during this year's annual town event.
"Earlier this year when the Society for the Preservation of Minneota Heritage (SPMH) was exploring ideas for this year's displays and a program for Bug Days, I realized Bill Holm would have turned 80 (on Aug. 25) this year," said Wendy Sarazyn, SPMH president. "We decided it was a good opportunity to honor this famed Minneotan who was a talented musician, beloved professor, and important writer."
As part of the tribute, world class musicians Dr. Dan Rieppel, a pianist, and Dr. Ryan Hugh Ross, a baritone lyricist, will be performing a musical setting based on Holm's poem "Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death" at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8 at St. Paul's Church on East Lyon Street in Minneota.
"Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death", a project led by Dr. Rieppel, takes viewers on a trip to Reykjavik, Iceland to pair Holm's poems to music composed by Martha Helen Schmidt and sung by Dr. Ross, a SMSU graduate and opera singer.
That performance will be preceded by a screening of the Pioneer PBS documentary that follows the creation of the aforementioned project. There will also be a question-and-answer session. The event is free and open to the public.
SPMH will host a tribute to Holm beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9 at the iconic Opera Hall above the library. The tribute will include readings, music and memories pertaining to Holm, who passed away in February of 2009.
Minneota native Sara Dovre-Wudali, who is also a poet, will be reading selected works from Holm as part of Saturday's tribute.
"The public is encouraged to come and share a story," said Sarazyn. "Some displays will showcase his writings and a timeline of his many accomplishments."
SPMH's event is also free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.