Governor Gretchen Whitmer sat in as the guest author at last Wednesday’s sold out National Writers Series (NWS) talk in Traverse City, where Cherry Republic founder and president Bob Sutherland discussed the highlights of her new book, “True Gretch.”
According to NWS Marketing and Communications Director Noelle Riley, 670 in-person tickets were sold to watch Whitmer speak at the City Opera House, while another 500 tickets were sold for people to tune in virtually, making Whitmer’s appearance the second highest virtual ticket seller.
“True Gretch,” offers readers an inside look into Whitmer’s personal life and career, and is full of insights that guided her through “a global pandemic, showdowns with high-profile bullies, and even a kidnapping and assassination plot.” Whitmer recounted moments with Sutherland both from her time in office and throughout her life that got her to where she is today, highlighting principles that she holds dear to her heart when navigating different situations.
“This book is 10 things I’ve learned in my life early on that I have used over these last six years to get through these tumultuous times,” Whitmer said at the event. “I had never written a book and had no idea how it would happen. My sister was the project manager on the book, and she knows me better than just about anyone on the planet, so we flushed out the idea that I had, which was a number of lessons that I’ve learned… it was a whirlwind experience, we put it together in about three months, and went through the editing process which was very intensive, but it was a joyful undertaking…” In the roughly hour-long talk, Whitmer touched on how she’s had to discuss the current state of national politics on her book tour, something she didn’t anticipate, following the fallout from the recent presidential debate where news outlets identifi ed her as a potential vice president candidate for Kamala Harris, who officially secured the Democratic nomination for president on August 2. The recent assassination attempt of former president Donald Trump in Pennsylvania was also something Whitmer touched on, explaining how it was heartbreaking to see and hear about as someone that’s been the target of volatile political rhetoric and violence.
“It’s been, I think, just navigating so many unprecedented events that have come to bear over the last month. It’s been an interesting challenge,” Whitmer said. “I know that the political rhetoric and violence in our country is unacceptable no matter who it is targeting...”
However, Whitmer described some of the silver lining moments in her book tour being the conversations she’s had with young people who have come to the events and felt more invigorated about politics.
“People who haven’t felt particularly connected to what’s happening on the national level, or a mom who said ‘I bought this for all my kids because I think this is what they need to see — that politicians are real and it matters who’s there,’” she said. “So that’s been really heartening for me… If I’ve given you a laugh at a story that I shared about myself or if I tell you something that gives you a little inspiration in an issue you’re dealing with at work or in your personal life, or if it’s just a light reading in another kind of heavy political year, that’s what it’s all about.”
In addition to Whitmer going into depth about experiences and advice she lives by, Sutherland presented the Michigan governor with a new and customized product from his business: Cherry Republic True Gretch Cherry Salsa. Some of the ingredients printed on the salsa label included “grit, determination, intelligence, and compassion.”
“This one is going to be a giant seller, let me tell ya,” Sutherland said when presenting the Cherry Republic salsa to Whitmer. “It puts someone on a jar that I think captures Michigan better than anyone has ever done or any governor has ever done, we’re so proud of you and how you represent us.”
Sutherland wrapped up the conversation asking Whitmer about her plans after her governorship ends, to which she said she hopes to reclaim her place in Elk Rapids, as well as hike some of the national parks out west with her family.
“Just doing some of those normal things that I’ve not been able to do much of in this job,” she said. “Even on the hardest day, I love being the governor of Michigan and I’m grateful to be the governor of Michigan. I’m proud of our state and I think we’re doing a lot of good work, and I’m going to do this until the next person is sworn in, and after that I don’t know. I may walk the earth for a little while and reconnect with nature.”
