99.9 percent of the time you will find this column humorous. That's because I am a humorous person who takes a humorous approach to life.
But there will be that .1 percent that won't be humorous, perhaps even sad.
Though not really sad, the thing I wanted to write about today is somewhat sad to me -- the retirement of Shirley Dillinger Booker as the chairman of the Jackson County Democrat Central Committee.
Of course, she will continue as a precinct committeeman and as treasurer of Jackson County, but I will miss the leadership she brought to the Democrat Party here.
Some people may or may not remember that Jackson County Democrats were in disarray for most of the years following the death of its longtime chief, C. Ray Chancey. There was a lot of infighting and bickering as sides were struggling for power.
But then came Shirley Dillinger Booker 16 years ago. A mixture of Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy with a few of the good points from Bill Clinton thrown in, this gal was able to unify and restore peace to Jackson County Democrats.
 She didn't do it with threats or intimidation. She did by just being Shirley Dillinger Booker.
Shirley Dillinger Booker is the type of person who can walk into a room and change the atmosphere for the better by her very presence. Not many people can do that, though there are several who have the opposite effect when they walk into a room.
She is a true leader...who leads by example so that, when she does speak, people listen and follow.
She reminds me a little of the Queen of England. The queen really doesn't have to say a lot to get things accomplished.
That's Shirley Dillinger Booker.
John Evans, who succeeds her as party chairman, has some big shoes to fill. I have been assured by party members he can fill them.
I believe Evans will do a great job, but, as far as filling the shoes of Shirley Dillinger Booker, I don't think so. She is one of a kind. Therefore, her shoe size is one of a kind.
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Went to Springfield, Ill., this past weekend to watch my 12-year-old, Aaron, play in a basketball tournament at Concordia School.
You won't believe what I saw while sitting in the stands waiting for his second game to start?
Answer: Someone reading an issue of the Murphysboro American. That's right. It appears one of the mothers with a son on Aaron's team brought a copy of the American with her to Springfield to show the rest of the parents a team picture we had ran in that edition.
It just goes to show you the importance of a local newspaper. It also made me feel good as the publisher of that newspaper.