As 2011 wanes, Patch troubadour Kevin Trudo recaps a week of headlines in the southwest suburbs and looks forward to 2012, a year that ends with an even number.

This week's headlines took us from the resignation of one superintendent and the selection of another in Lemont, to people paying off others' layaway charges, to an Oswego woman who is sharing positive messages on a white board. "The Girl with the White Board" Lauren Lawson was featured as Huffington Post's Greatest Person of the Day on Tuesday.

They also featured donors supporting a dying man's wish to see Garth Brooks, and the Lions Club in Darien donating meals to those in need.

As always, we have the lyrics written below for you, and you can check out Trudo on his Facebook page. Be sure to come back next week so you can see Trudo next year.

New Year

Odd numbers have always been for me a little bit disquieting so 12 sounds nice
In some ways I'm sad to see it go in other ways I think it's fine
There's been some things I've been amazed by and some thing I hope that you're ashamed by
This week is much the way it's been I'll give the run down here again and hope you like

Just as the grade school super resigns, the search for the high school one aligns It's always the students on the line
So teach the kids some new tech tricks and coach the real estate agents
This year, well, it's a different time
Break down what ever's in your way, like a nuclear plant gate
The girl with the white board's back again
And local businesses won't win if you don't patronize

It's a new year, another chance to do it right

And making Christmas gifts that count folks payoff layaway accounts
And don't ask for credit for the deed
Subtract the desire for the praise I promise
That you'll be amazed what you achieve
Go see Garth Brooks put on a show, complete that list of things to do
Help out some folks who need a meal the only way to make it real is on your feet.

It's a new year and another chance to do it right
It's a new year, take a chance laugh a lot, don't drink and drive.