LEXINGTON, Ky., — The fifth installment of the Kentucky Proud Evenings series, Monday, Aug. 13, presents guest author Bob Thompson discussing his book, “Hitchhiker: Stories from the Kentucky Homefront.” The free monthly series, hosted by Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service, celebrates The University Press of Kentucky’s 75th anniversary with author discussions and samples from Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud recipes.

In his book, described as “Huckleberry Finn meets The Twilight Zone, with just a taste of The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test,” Thompson draws from his childhood in Western Kentucky, where he soaked up tales and folk traditions from customers of his grandmother’s country store through his various incarnations as everything from an incense-burning, flower-child hitchhiker to an unrepentant adventurer following the footsteps of Hemingway and the Lost Generation across Europe. This collection brings together coming-of-age tales, family stories of bygone eras, and even true accounts of unsolved murders and mysteries.

Thompson is not only a writer and storyteller, but also an engineer, handyman and self-proclaimed tree hugger and explorer of other dimensions. He is chairman and program director for E.A.R.S., which produces the Corn Island Storytelling Festival and the Kentucky Homefront radio show.

“No preparation or prior reading is required to attend our event. Just bring your zest for a good story,” said Liz Kingsland, Fayette County family and consumer sciences extension agent. ”These monthly author talks are a lot of fun and a fascinating way to spend an evening.”

The series is made possible through a partnership between Fayette County Cooperative Extension, which is part of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, and the University Press of Kentucky. Kentucky Proud Evenings begin at 6 p.m. at the Fayette County Extension office, 1140 Harry Sykes Way in Lexington.

Make reservations for the event by calling the Fayette County Extension office at 859-257-5582. Participants may purchase Thompson’s book at the event.