Humor columnist to speak at public library

Mike Redmond, Indianapolis Star humor columnist since 1995, will speak about his recently-published book at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Monroe County Public Library.\nThe book, "Six of One, Half Dozen of Another: Twelve Stories about Family, Indiana Kidhood and Other Goofy Stuff" (Guild Press of Indiana) is an autobiographical memoir packed with colorful tales about the columnist's family, childhood and growing up in LaGrange County, Ind., home to the third largest U.S. Amish population -- a fact the author amiably pokes fun at in many of his columns.\n"Six of One," Redmond's first book, tackles meaty issues such as how a teen can make quick cash from selling beer while skipping class and the appropriate age for a boy to begin wearing high heels, according to the Guild Press of Indiana's Web site. \nJane Ruddick, reference and programming librarian at Monroe County library, is responsible for Redmond's talk tonight. \n"He was so funny at the conference I attended; I thought he would be someone our library patrons would enjoy hearing," Ruddick said. \nLast year, after hearing Redmond speak at an Indiana Library Federation conference in Indianapolis, she said she thought he was hilarious and asked him to speak at the library.\nLaurel Setser, library director at Avon Washington Township Public Library, said she has heard Redmond speak twice and has read his column since it first appeared. His personable quality characterizes his speeches as well as his columns -- he talks to, and not at, listeners, she said.\n"If you're one of those people who read his column frequently, you feel like you know him personally," Setser said. "He talks so much about his family and his life, you feel like you've just sat down and had a cup of coffee with him after reading his column." \nRedmond once told Setser only angry readers address their letters to him with "Mr. Redmond." Most folks simply call him "Mike," an anecdote that reveals the intimacy he creates with readers, Setser said. \nThe American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors has twice recognized Redmond's column for excellence.\nSetser said she encourages people to attend Redmond's talk for two simple reasons.\n"You'll have a good time; he'll make you laugh," she said. \nRedmond will speak in room 2C of the library and will sign copies of his book.