‘Hauntingly Beautiful” Sound to Fill Library

Reade+M.+Holzbaur+of+Hughesville%2C+Pa.%2C+will+present+flutes+like+these+during+his+presentation+on+Tuesday%2C+Nov.+10+at+12+p.m.+in+the+Catherine+Evans+McGowan+Room+of+the+Mary+Kintz+Bevevino+Library+at+Misericordia+University.

Reade M. Holzbaur of Hughesville, Pa., will present flutes like these during his presentation on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m. in the Catherine Evans McGowan Room of the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library at Misericordia University.

MU Reports

The Friends of the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library  will host a presentation on woodland flutes featuring Reade M. Holzbaur of Hughesville, Pa.

Woodland flutes are between two and three feet long and produce a hauntingly beautiful sound. Holzbaur will provide insight into the instrument through his artful playing, and he will explain modern-day flute making. He will compare the way he makes a flute today to the methods native ancestors would use.

His interest in the instrument began as a young boy when he started collecting arrowheads and other Native American items. His fascination with the culture expanded when he unexpectedly developed an interest in flute making in 2006.

Holzbaur is a native of Trenton, New Jersey, and began 41 years of distinguished service to the United States military in 1966. He began his career as a civil servant for the U.S. Air Force working in vehicle maintenance at McGuire Air Force Base, followed by an enlistment in the Navy as a machinist mate aboard the USS Denebola. He returned to his civil service position at McGuire AFB where he eventually became the vehicle maintenance officer and later the vehicle maintenance superintendent. His leadership helped make successful the merger of the vehicle maintenance operations of McGuire AFB, Fort Dix and Lakehurst Naval Air station into a single operation ­– the first super base of its kind. In recognition of his many years of civilian service, he was presented with the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award – the highest civilian award the department offers.

He and his wife, Jeanette Straley Holzbaur, retired to Hughesville in 2008.

The program will be held Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 12 p.m. in the Catherine Evans McGowan Room of the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library.