In Need of an Education

I was lucky, and found one with less than 100k on it. It’s in beautiful condition, but I think it sat for part of its life.
I got the timing belt & water pump done, immediately.
Are there any other jobs that I need to attend to, so they don’t suddenly become huge problems?

I bought it a few months ago for a couple of reasons.
My main reason for owning a car is driving across my small town to our dog park, so my dog can play.
My wife is a nurse, so when the weather is crap, she still must go to work. I want her to get there, and get home, in the safest manner possible.
I made it a point to get a standard transmission, so it could drag itself through anything except the very worst winter conditions Ohio has ever seen. (If Ohio ever sees a repeat of its worst conditions, it would be bad enough for her to stay at work, in a spare bed.)
With winter approaching, I want to prepare the car with anything else I can, that will keep the car controllable, in the snow.

I used to have a long commute, and I carried emergency supplies. I have snow shoes, a couple of emergency blankets, a shelter, a sleeping bag, a heater and other odds and ends. (Military background)

Right now, I want to focus on the car, itself. The tires are all-season; as we all know, that translates to “It isn’t great at any season.” I am not sure whether I should lift it a little (1” or 1 1/2”) and put slightly larger tires:
If so, how much larger could I go, without body mods?

Would I be better off with regular size snow tires?
Should I just get chains, to be put on in case the road conditions are really bad?