Farmers’ Market: Aroma therapy

    Folks of a certain age will remember cartoons like” Pepe le Peu” and “Bugs Bunny”, in which enticing smells were represented by solid, animated ribbons that drew the characters up and forward as if possessing both mind and body. A customer entering The Country Bakery on U.S. Route 1 in Bridgewater will experience something similar; the smells emitted from the ovens of Craig and Amy Inniger’s business are positively intoxicating.     Even before you are tempted by the sight of muffins, rolls, cookies, doughnuts, fritters, and bear claws in the glass display cases, the scent of freshly baked bread of multiple varieties has convinced you that nothing less than a full shopping bag will do. The selection reminds you of every good thing that you may remember from your grandma’s kitchen and more. You may or may not be successful in staving off the lure of succulent treats long enough to pay for them before you dive into the bag for a sample.
    While you are waiting for your change (possibly munching on at least your second cookie), you will have the chance to look around the pleasantly appointed, sunlit dining area, also reminiscent of grandma’s kitchen with small, oilcloth-covered tables and comfortable, straight-backed chairs that invite you to join “the regulars” who are in the know about all-day breakfasts or freshly made luncheon sandwiches on home made bread and rolls. Perhaps you prefer a fresh-dough pizza or “two-handed burgers” with home fries. “World famous” apple fritters, a specialty of happenstance while Craig was developing skills and recipes that have caught on like a house afire, take everything good about the combination of apples and cinnamon and condense each bite into a mouthwatering treat; the fritters themselves are the size of your head!
    The shop and restaurant are open 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Alternatively, you might like to order out. Craig has a traveling “barbecue-on-wheels,” capable of providing succulent meats and other good things to cater a wedding reception, a class reunion, or a large family picnic if desired (Call 425-4140). Like everything else the Innigers do, the quality, the flavor, and the service are all top-notch.
    The Country Bakery opened just in time for Groundhog’s Day in 1991 and has been steadily growing since the family’s arrival from Michigan.
    In speaking with Amy, it becomes clear that this family takes pride in the fact that everything is made on site and fresh daily and that it is a successful, family-run venture. Their plans for the future include the opportunity to pass the business down to the next generation. While commonly greeted by an adult owner upon entering the bakery, you may be served very efficiently, though often silently and somewhat shyly, by younger members of the family who share responsibilities in this bakery/restaurant.
    Amy says she enjoys the fact that they have established their home and business in this friendly, rural Maine community and that she “misses her people” when circumstances keep her out of the bakery for more than a few days.
    There is no question that her people would miss her too, if The Country Bakery was not there. If you visit the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market at the Aroostook Centre Mall on Saturdays, where Craig and his son or sometimes one of his lovely daughters, share bakery items like bread, cookies, doughnuts, and muffins, you will notice that the “regulars” there include the other venders. They have all learned that a mid-morning breakfast from Craig’s van is an excellent idea. Even if they didn’t know that, the aromas saturating the air would rapidly convince them.
    When you drive through Bridgewater, ease down your window a crack, or stop by the Market, and see if the scents don’t convince you as well.
    Editor’s note: This weekly column is written by members of the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market. For more information or to join, contact their secretary/treasurer Steve Miller of Westmanland at 896-5860 or via e-mail at beetree@xpressamerica.net.