Believe it or not but people in the news business can have a great sense of humor.

If you don’t believe it then you should probably take a look at Roanoke Chowan Publications’ Facebook page where you’ll find the latest advertisement promoting this year’s FYI.

I have to say our Advertising Director Brian Pavlick makes a stunning Bella Swan from the Twilight series. Eat your heart out Kristen Stewart!

In case you’re still not convinced we newsies don’t have a funny bone in our body, then you should have been in the office on Friday when our staff candidly and irrationally discussed potato salad. Blood was nearly drawn over which ingredients belong in potato salad as well as the consistency and texture of the dish.

We’re just a fun-loving staff here at the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald and like many involved with the news industry we’re always looking for that comic relief from the stress this working environment can often bring.

Perhaps the best showcase of newsroom humor can be found on a web site called Overheard in the Newsroom.

The site was created by Kevin Cobb, a designer with the Sun-Sentinel in South Florida, and lists hilarious real life quotes submitted from newsrooms everywhere.

Below are just a few of my favorites:

-Police reporter to caller: “We did get your name from the sheriff. It’s not like we just picked it out of a hat.”

-“Getting a dog taught me about having kids. Having kids prepared me for dealing with commentators.”

-Circulation agent around the corner from my desk, on the phone with a subscriber: “Oh, I get the newspaper, but I don’t read it – it’s too depressing.”

-Bookkeeper: “I guess you could take the company jet.”

Art director: “What about the company pogo stick? But it’s kind of hard to take notes on it.”

-Police reporter on the phone with Republican political candidate being charged with leaving the scene of an accident: “I’m just a reporter. I can’t give you legal advice.”

-Editor, in response to caller: “I’m not responsible for that…Hey, if I can keep deflecting responsibility, maybe I’ll run an oil company one day.”

-Company-wide email: “The kids’ day movie viewing is now over, please stop by the Circulation Department and pick up your kid.”

Editor: “What, Circulation can’t deliver them either?”

-Agate clerk: “I’ve been here a long time.”

Sports editor: “Do you get benefits?”

Agate clerk: “I get chocolate every once in a while.”-New intern, waiting outside during a fire drill: “I really hope this is just a drill, I left my notes and contact book behind.” Editor: “You did? If the building burns down, you’re fired.” Intern: “Really?”

-Editor discussing Tiger Woods’ wife asking for $750 million:

Reporter: “Did you and your wife get a prenup?”

Editor: “Are you kidding? I’m a journalist.”

-Reporter to editor on Monday, July 5: “Can we just run a headline that says, ‘Nothing happening’?”

-Editor: “I told my wife I’d be home by 6 o’clock, but she knows I’m lying.”

Amanda VanDerBroek is a Staff Writer for the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald. For comments and column suggestions email: amanda.vanderbroek@r-cnews.com or call (252) 332-7209.