Georgia’s 82nd Governor Nathan Deal visited Augusta, Monday afternoon, to regale young readers with tales about the adventures of Veto, a curious cat who grew up in the Governor’s Mansion.
The former governor and state lawmaker arrived at Augusta University’s Dr. Paulette P. Harris Literacy Center, inside the HUB for Community Innovation on 631 Chafee Ave., at about 3:30 p.m., part of a book singing tour of his children’s book, “Veto, the Governor’s Cat.” He was joined by the book’s illustrator, Cheryl Riner Hodge.
The Literacy Center partnered with local nonprofit RISE Augusta to coordinate the event, inviting young learners at the center and their parents, along with the board members of both organizations, to listen to Deal read from the book and talk about its origins and its lessons.
The catalyst for the reading was Gloria Norwood, wife of late Rep. Charlie Norwood. The Norwoods were friends with the former governor and his wife, Sandra Deal, who passed way in 2022. Gloria Norwood is a supporter of the Harrisburg Family Healthcare Center, one of the Literacy Center’s partners, and suggested a reading there to Deal’s team.
“It just really speaks to how everybody is looking out for one another here in the community and trying to find the best ways to feature all the assets we have here,” said Betsy VanDeusen, director of the Literacy Center.
Karen Keen, wife of Augusta University President Russell Keen, in her introduction, remarked on her and her husband’s having dinner with the Deals, and being inspired by Sandra Deal’s strong advocacy for literacy in the state.
“As First Lady, Mrs. Deal made it her mission to reach more than 250,000 students across Georgia’s 159 counties and 181 school districts,” recounted Keen.
Deal wrote the book to honor his wife, recalling that, after he had left office, she was still receiving requests to read.
“She told me, she said, ‘I don’t have a good children’s book that I haven’t read,’” said Deal. “‘So I want you to write me one.’”
The book is based on based on two young felines, Veto and Bill, brothers from the same litter of kittens, raised in the Governor’s Mansion while Deal was in office. Deal told the children about a section in the book in which the two cats are taken from Atlanta to the Deals’ home near the Chattahoochee River, and go on an excursion into the woods behind the house.
On their journey, Veto and Bill encounter colorful characters like Oliver the Owl, who teaches them that “courage is your candle in the dark,” Raquel the Raccoon, who shows them how she washes her “people-like” hands, and Percival the Possum (“actually opossum, but no one uses the King’s English anymore”) who shows them the importance of having an interesting personality.
Deal’s presentation ended with a reflection at the end of the book, where Veto has made several friends, made close companions with the river that purrs just like he does, and learned to deal with the passing of his brother Bill, and comes to appreciate all he has gained.
“I’ve heard people call them blessings,” he said. “Even when life seems to go wrong, I can stay calm and remember the good things I have and the great memories of the past and my brother. I can sit for my friend the river and be content as we purr together.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
