It seems 2011 will go down as a gap year between major events.
We reported hundreds of stories in the 305 editions of The Daily News and the constant stream posted at www.thedailynews.cc this year. Much of it was important, but likely little of it will be remembered by our children and grandchildren decades from now.

Voter turnout was high Tuesday — relatively speaking, that is. Just over 20 percent (8,342 people) of Montcalm County’s 41,562 registered voters participated in the primary election. Yes, that’s only two out of every 10 registered voters, but it’s better than 2008, when only 17.5 percent participated in that primary election.

To the class of 2012, this is your mission should you choose to accept it: Today more than 20 percent of Americans live in poverty. More than 1 billion people around the world live on less than $1 a day. Today, 22,000 children will die from completely preventable causes, dying quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world.

Well, there it is. We sure hope you paid attention, because you have a job to do. While the 2012 Republican and Democratic National Conventions are history, it ain’t over yet.