Upon reviewing the year 2025, there wasn't really anything earth shattering that happened. Granted, loved ones died for some, storms might have changed plans, and medical diagnoses and procedures may have affected people. However, nothing huge that was life altering for a massive number of people, at least not around here, happened. It's probably okay that nothing really stuck out.
    There was one theme that I spotted in some of the news stories, things that were more unique to 2025 than other years - risks that were taken with rewards received.
    Possibly the biggest risk was the voluntary annexation of a chunk of land just outside city limits. Tim Treiber had contacted the city council, offering to sell some recently acquired farm land to expand the borders of the town. Sounds good! Expansion is a good thing. However, the city was not in a position to purchase land at that time and had to pass. The Treiber family shifted gears slightly and sought a voluntary annexation so that their daughter's family (Steffany and Austin Bettin and kids) could build on the land and in city limits. The council discussed pros and cons over multiple meetings and asked citizens of their thoughts. Questions circled around details such as utilities. They expanded the talk to possible continued annexation and all that would entail that. There were many what-ifs connected to a simple voluntary annexation. In the end, the city approved the voluntary annexation. What was land covered in snow a year ago is now land covered with a new building. The risk of expanding the town has turned into a good venture.
    The fire department took a risk in reviving the tractor pull. The pull hadn't been in town for 18 years, and they wanted to bring the event back to town. Would people still be interested? Would they attend? Well, the risk was pretty low as the excitement of the returning event had the town abuzz long before the tractor was held. It was very well received by people from near and far.
    The Corn Days committee took risks last year. They booked events for the three-day celebration which hadn't been seen at Corn Days before. Acrobatists. A clown. Tractor pulling by people. Cornhole for kids. Live music. A mini golf tournament replaced the softball tournament which was moved to Sunday.Naysayers told the committee that it was a bad weekend to hold Corn Days due to other events in the area, but they took the risk anyway. It turned out to be a perfect weekend both weatherwise and schedulewise. More people attended Corn Days than in previous recent years. Some of the events weren't as great as anticipated, but they indeed brought in people, and the committee knows to steer away from them this year. Many more risks, though, proved to be great moves and may return this year. Overall, their risks were richly rewarded, leaving people talking about Corn Days long after it ended.
    One of the more chill risks came in the form of freezers at Colbert's Market. The Colberts chose to put a little risk into their business and invested in new freezers. Where is the risk? Well, that's a big investment in a small business with the risk of recovering that investment money over time. The freezers turned a mishmash of freezers into a continuous line of the same type of freezer. The risk also helped them expand their frozen food options with their increased space. To this reporter/shopper, the upgrade is much appreciated.
    Danbury Catholic School also took a risk involving food. They spent summer break transforming the kitchen from a room used simply to reheat meals to a room with updated appliances and equipment. These appliances and equipment are used to create school meals from scratch. The meals have been well received by the students and staff. The move was a risk, but it's a risk they now love to taste.
    The final public risk in Danbury began in November and is ongoing. The Danbury Rec Board received a MRHD grant to make some major, innovative upgrades to the rec center. However, they needed over $17,000 of their own funding in order to receive the matching grant. The board took a risk on the generosity of people and began transforming the lower level of the public school from an okay rec center into a much better, innovative rec center which will provide more usage. The rec board plans to hold an open house when all is done to show that this risk has paid off. They are still accepting donations to help reach the $17,000+ need.
    I risk being wrong to state that all of us have faced our own risks over the past year. Perhaps it's trying a new hairdo. Perhaps it's trying a new paint color in your bathroom. Perhaps it's making a major investment in something or someone. If you aren't taking a risk, here is your invitation to do so. Insert your risk here (or think of something to risk in 2026):
    This week is dedicated to a Review of 2025. Enjoy!