Submitted photo ‘Uncle Sam’ congratulates Amanda Simmons, the $10,000 grand prize winner of the elimination drawing during the 35th annual Uncle Sam’s Birthday Party in Canaan.

CANAAN — Guests attending the Tucker County Community Foundation’s 35th annual Uncle Sam’s Birthday Party took home a host of goodies, including a grand prize of $10,000 for one lucky winner.

The event, which took place July 4 at the Bear Paw Lodge, featured an elimination raffle, a plated dinner and door prizes. The party is offered annually to help fund the Tucker Community Foundation’s scholarships and grants programs, which has distributed more than $1.3 million in grants and more than 45 scholarships to students in the region.

“We had another record crowd at the event this year and everyone seemed to have a really good time, and people were already talking about next year’s event,” said Michael Moore, chief financial officer at the Foundation.

“Donna Patrick, chairman of the Uncle Sam’s Committee, and the rest of the committee did a wonderful job, as always. The Foundation wants to thank the people that donated time, merchandise and money to make the event such a success. We couldn’t do without everyone’s help.”

Raffle tickets were sold for four different prize packages, including: a Greenbrier Package that included a three-day, two-night weekend stay with a round of golf for two with everything included, a patriotic golf bag and $300 to spend at the Greenbrier Resort; an eBike package that included a “his and hers” eBike from Blackwater Bikes in Davis; and two Tucker Packages that included items and gift certificates from businesses in the surrounding area that totaled more than $6,000.

Kim Bowley won the Greenbrier Package, worth $2,780, while James Snyder won the eBike Package, worth $3,400. Zachary Barwinczak won one of the Tucker Packages ($3,010) and Nancy Dotson the other ($3,020).

literature and things of that nature, and I’m really just a fan of plays on words, and I really love ‘Alice in Wonderland’ as well,” owner Chelsea Boggs told The Inter-Mountain. “The name just popped in my head one day and it kind of stuck… I really wanted to embrace a theme and create something where people would want to keep coming back. Something a little bit different than everywhere else.”

Visitors to the Mad Batter Wonderland Cafe will be quick to notice many Alice in Wonderland-related items situated inside the business, including paintings, memorabilia, art and more. 

Boggs said it’s her hope that customers can be comfortable while enjoying some of the many items the cafe offers.

“With the cafe side of things and the bakery, I really wanted to embrace a bookshop type of atmosphere, and it all just kind of fell together,” Boggs said. “Technology has really grown over the years and books and reading have kind of taken a backseat. So I wanted to offer a location where people could come in, be comfortable, and feel invited to stick around and read a book while enjoying their coffee, baked goods, lunch or whatever.”

The cafe is located where the original Bobbies Restaurant operated for 40 years.

“There have been peaks and valleys since we opened and I think people are starting to learn where we are after the building was vacant for a while,” Boggs said. “We have tried to push the word-of-mouth thing.”

The Mad Batter Wonderland Cafe offers a large selection of coffees, expressos, lattes and ice brews. The cafe also has refreshers, boosted brews and energy drinks.

“Not everybody loves coffee and I wanted to recognize that, so I tried to think of a couple different options that would be pleasing to everyone,” Boggs said. “We always want to offer something fresh and new, I don’t want the menu to get stale. So I want to have some rotations and something for everyone.”

Food-wise, the cafe serves up a host of different sandwiches and wraps such as the Count of Monte Pesto and The Wrancher. The County of Mote Pesto sandwich features layers of Italian meats, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, and basil presto on an Italian herb and cheese hoagie roll. Boggs said it has been one of the best sellers, alongside the Secret Stack, which is roasted turkey, smoked ham, bacon, and choice of cheese on toasted bread. The sandwich is also served with lettuce, tomato and mayo.

The Cafe also has a large selection of gourmet salads, as well as pizza and hot dogs.

“We wanted to go with a literary theme with our food items and keep with the Alice and Wonderland theme,” Boggs said. “So we came up with some unique themes that catch peoples attention. We have a lot of quick-serve options, mostly because when I opened the shop I planned on it being more of a bakery than anything. I started as a home baker and I wanted to stay true to those origins.”

Bakery items at the cafe include pepperoni rolls, sticky buns, cinnamon rolls, cakes, brownies, cookies and more. Pepperoni rolls are currently only available later in the week, typically on Thursday and Friday.

“With our baked goods, you kind of have to come in day-by-day and see what is available,” Boggs said. “The pepperoni rolls are homemade by me, I make the dough and everything. They are available at the end of the week. My goal is to have them every Thursday and Friday. They have been super popular in the early going.”

The Mad Batter Wonderland Cafe is open Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit the cafe’s Facebook page or call 304-642-9557.