In this issue: This was the year of weather. A premature introduction to winter in October following the devastating blows of Irene and Lee in September spelled disaster for some farmers and producers in the Hudson Valley. Yet, it wasn't all bad news. As Abby Luby stresses in her opening feature, it didn't take long for communities and groups to rally to the aid of the farmers, at leas a few of which saw their entire year's harvest destroyed. On the other side of the farming coin are the field and orchard workers, mostly migrants, who saw their jobs wash away with the topsoil. Communities and businesses are rallying support through dinners and special events.

There are bright spots, of course. One of the brightest is a little cafe in Hudson simply called Cafe le Perche, a French boulangerie where the coffee is good and the pastries are to die for. For chocolates to die for, head to Oliver Kita's new digs in the village or Rhinebeck. It's a big, open studio where you can watch the chocolates in process, then walk a few steps and buy some. We take you on a short version of a tour in Good Stuff.

In About the Business, we interview Phyllis Feder, owner of Clinton Vineyards, about maintaining the legacy of her late husband Ben. Speaking of wine, this is the season to sample one of the more unusual wines available: Ice Wine. Finally, how a bout a bowl of tom yum soup? It's a classic hot/sour soup from Thailand (where, we've heard, it doesn't snow). It'll warm your innards and beat back those sniffles.