Human beings are suckers for cute It is how little girls can get away with dressing up in evening gowns and Big Hair to be crowned Little Miss Something-or-Other in ubiquitous pageants.
Retention of cute baby traits is how wolves conned their way in out of the cold and parked themselves next to our fireplaces as dogs. Drivers of Volkswagen Beetles continue to get smiles, waves, and toots years after the reintroduction of a model that should have failed right out the gate but did not.
Both customers and venders at the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market, opening at 8:30 every Saturday morning in the Aroostook Centre Mall, are susceptible to cute. “Oh please!” A tiny wren-like child practically melts hearts with her plea to her grandmother to share some fresh peas. OMG! A small child. Begging! For fresh vegetables?! Customers “circle the wagons” trailed by Little People lining up behind them like ducklings trundling down to the river. Children hop like sparrows on the asphalt, wriggle and bounce, pumping their fists in the air like tiny disco dancers. They smile to each other in recognition of secrets only other children will know. It gives venders pleasure to see their smiles and answer their (often excellent) questions.
The work and the fun of market day is found on the venders’ sides of the tables as well. Barbara York loads a granddaughter in her van along with her hand-made jewelry, cut flowers, and plants nearly every week. Joseph Zook is regularly accompanied by his oldest daughter, barely hip high with a wide-eyed expression that impels smiles from everyone who sees this American Doll. There are Little People peeking out from behind the vegetables and fruits all around the Market.
Cute sells. Kevin Estes from Hidden Meadow Farm and Craig Inniger from The Country Bakery know exactly what they are doing when they send their lovely young daughters to (wo)man their tables. The Easton Bakery has a junior sales staff learning the ropes. The O’Meara farm is well represented by the only daughter and eldest child, emerging reluctantly from her book to retrieve milk, yogurt, cheese and other products from the coolers upon request.
Venders also capitalize on the cuteness of small with their produce, planting and marketing miniature vegetables like tiny Sun Gold tomatoes that pack the full wallop of sweet tomatoes into a barely thumb-sized package. These may be paired with small but feisty peppers or barely there eggplants. Can a pint-sized ratatouille be far behind?
Stop by on Saturday to harvest some cuteness of your own to take home.
The Presque Isle Farmers’ Market contact person is Gail Maynard, who operates Orchard Hill Farm in Woodland with her husband, Stan. Their phone number is 498-8541 and their email is orchhill@gmail.com.
