Bill and Beverly Niffenegger and Apple Boy.

Apple Boy

High Rolls, New Mexico

When Bill and Beverly Niffenegger opened their Old Apple Barn emporium and bistro, they wanted to create a roadside mascot named "Apple Man." Both were artists and designers, as well as fans of Roadsideamerica.com, so Bill studied us for ideas.

"I looked at basically everything that was relevant on your site, which is a lot," he told us. Then Bill built Apple Man over a marathon 60 days and unveiled him on Memorial Day weekend, 2010.

In the process, Apple Man evolved into Apple Boy thanks to Beverly. "I did the cuteness factor," she said, particularly the cherubic cheeks and twinkly eyes.

"We made Apple Boy t-shirts to sell to kids," Bill said, "but adults bought 'em all."

Bill pointed out that Apple Boy has no nostrils, because he felt they would look unflattering in photographs. "If you worry about Apple Boy's breathing," he said, "I think you have other issues."

Bill has thought about creating companions for Apple Boy, but worries about vandals peppering the statues with bullet holes -- something that Apple Boy alone seems to discourage. "He's too cute; the guilt would be too high," said Bill. "It would be like peeing on someone's doll. It's just not done."