A few more things:

Better accuracy in the game clock, to that it doesn't take an hour to count down 10 minutes on crops or nursing moms (I have experianced this).

Perhaps a 'Crisis' button that you can use once during the game if you get low on food.

The addition of more skills for villagers to learn, e.g. teaching.

More interaction between villagers, such as relationships based on work ethic. The villager that swims in the pond all day isn't as liked as the dilligent worker, say. The most respected villager gains the title of village head.
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When climbing the ladder of success, always remember. You can help as many people as you want- but in the end they'll get up there first and drop wet, sticky things on your head.