Once again proving that the Chippewa Valley’s best “thing” is not thesauruses or language specificity, this category invites readers to consider all concrete and abstract aspects in the Chippewa Valley. As it turns out, out of everything, we most love … pretty lights! The colorful lights on Phoenix Park’s bridges takes first place, followed closely by the butterflies of the Butterfly House at Beaver Creek Reserve. Third place Olson’s Ice Cream proves that ultimately, we’re all just little kids at heart, finding joy in simple, innocent “things. ” Maybe we can all hold hands and run through a meadow together sometime? —Eric Rasmussen