PATTY SHERMAN of Leelanau Township
has resided in Leelanau County since 1992
and is a political activist.

Name: Patty Sherman.

Town or township of residence: Leelanau Township.

Resident of the county since: February 1992. “We built here in 1972 and moved here full time from Worthington, Ohio, after my husband, Doug, retired.”

Birth date and place: Oct. 12, Evanston, Ill.

Occupation: Retired stay-at-home mom and political volunteer. “I also had a shop in Northport called The Mill Run.”

Marital status: “Married to Doug. We’ll celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 19.” Her daughter, Jan Morgan, lives in Northport along with grandsons, Evan, 15 and Bryan, 21, who attends Michigan State.

You live in Leelanau County because: “Because it’s where we built. Doug’s great-grandfather bought land here in the Seven Pines area. He was a lake boat captain who came here from Buffalo, N.Y.”

Last good movie you saw: “De-Lovely. It was about the life of Cole Porter. I also liked Thelma and Louise.”

Last good book you read: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See. “It’s about China and the ladies who had their feet bound and servitude.”

If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would that be? “I’m not sure I would want to trade places with anyone. But if I have to say someone, it would be Georgia O’Keeffe, the painter. I had a studio built and I like to paint and decorate. I love the arts, to laugh and be silly. When someone wants something fun to do they call Patty.”

Things important to you that you have accomplished so far: “Raising my daughter and seeing her turn into a responsible person. We have fun together … almost like sisters because we’re so alike. We laugh a lot.” She’s also served as president of the Northport Area Chamber of Commerce, the predecessor of the Northport Omena Chamber of Commerce.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years: “I’d like to be here — on the right side of the sod.”

Things you lose sleep over: “The passing of friends. We’ve lost a lot of dear friends in the past 10 years.”

If you could change on thing in Leelanau County, it would be: “I definitely see people for growth and anti-growth fighting against one another. We all have to work together (to maintain) the environment and if we’re not all together … this ship is going to sink.”

Favorite dessert: A plain brownie or homemade cherry pie. “We have to promote cherries.”

Coffee: One cup a day, black.

Favorite place in Leelanau County: “My front yard, which is also my beach on Grand Traverse Bay.”

If you had more time you would: “I’d travel the world … to Sweden and the Scandinavian countries because that’s my heritage. I’d like to go all over.”

The words that best describe you are: “Organized, funny and active.”