To the editor:
We received a comment on the story I wrote recently about Meredith Holch, some of her history and her work, that was published in the April 23 edition, titled, “Holch Wins Animation Film Awards for “Brother Bird.”
Valeska Populoh, of Baltimore, Md., wrote, “I found and read this article after learning that Meredith passed away very suddenly. I am so grateful that you wrote such a beautiful review about her work, which also offers glimpses into the kind of person she was and the kind of heart she had. ‘She particularly enjoys showing her animations at community spaces such as grange halls, libraries, the walls of endangered community gardens, and the sides of old barns near her home in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.’ Thank you for honoring her work in this way.’
I responded, writing, “Thank you for reading it.
“Having read much that I could find about Meredith while writing it, I was surprised there wasn’t much biographical information to be found about her. I was honored she spent well over an hour sharing her history and perspective when I interviewed her. I had an unexplainable feeling of the need to give great care and attention to what I wrote. Now I’m glad I did.
“She and I attended the same Connecticut high school, though she was some years younger than I am.
“We didn’t meet until we both lived in East Hardwick and both became involved with the Grange. “I’ve known Meredith now for more than a decade and learned many new things writing the article. I’ll have to go over my notes to see what I might have gotten wrong, and perhaps add more of what I learned.
“She saw the piece after I wrote it and said, ‘Thanks Paul, a few people have enjoyed reading it. Nice job. The chronology and details aren’t always right, but no one will notice that but me. Nice job weaving together gaps in what I said!”
“I send love to Meredith and all who know her, or ever had the opportunity to interact with her.”
Paul Fixx, editor
The Hardwick Gazette
Editor’s note: You may ask, as I did of myself, “Can an editor publish a letter to themself?” To that, I say, “This story didn’t seem to be an editorial, an article or fit anywhere else. As editor, it’s up to me, though within certain generally well-defined parameters, the derision of others in the newsroom and those elsewhere whose opinion I value. The first of those doesn’t prevent it and I’m prepared to accept the second.”
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
