A posh New York City caterer, Great Performances, is selling a calendar the profits from which benefit two worthy causes neither of which is headquartered in our region. And we care about this because…? Well, for starters, the photographs that illustrate Down to Earth 2009 are of the farms and farmers of Columbia County, an area famous for its scenic beauty but less renowned as a bastion of male beauty (subspecies: agrarian and hence most likely straight). Consequently, the closely-guarded secret of some of our region’s more astute produce shoppers is out: There are some damned cute farmers around these parts. So now, instead of showing up at farm stands even when you don’t technically need any more fresh produce, hoping to catch a glimpse, you may buy the calendar and enjoy the “scenery” from the comfort of your own home. Besides, the proceeds do benefit our area’s farmers: they go to the non-profit New York City Greenmarket, where much of the produce grown around here sells, and to the Sylvia Center, a dot org dedicated to introducing New York City public school kids to the virtues of farm-fresh. The calendar, $12.95, is available on-line or at: Hawthorne Valley Farm Store327 Route 21C, Harlemville; 518.672.7500
