Mad Hatter Farm In Harlem Creating a Wonderland For Local Kids

As an animal lover, I was delighted to discover Mad Hatter Farm recently. If you haven't heard of it, this 25-acre farm in Harlem provides a safe haven for neglected and surrendered animals. But they also are a safe place for children who have special needs or who have medical difficulties. The children can visit and experience farm life in a way that is comfortable and healing for them. Suffice it to say: Mad Hatter Farm really matters!

While they've recently stepped away from rescue, the farm does provide permanent sanctuary for a multitude of horses and donkeys. They also have a few pigs and a goat. So there are lots of opportunities for the children to get up close and personal with many different animals. The Mad Hatter folks have been known to load up some of the animals and bring them to children who can't make it out to the farm!

Owner Jill Marier states on the website that seeing the positive changes in their biological, adopted, and foster kids who had various medical issues but responded tremendously to interacting with the animals on the farm made them want to create a space that was a safe haven for the animals. In addition, they wanted it to be an interactive experience for kids who typically spend a great deal of time either in the hospital or homebound due to their medical issues. In 2023 they opened "Cassie's Care Farm." It was named in honor of the terminally ill foster daughter that they took in as a baby. Cassie may have passed away at only 2 years of age but she inspired a beautiful act of remembrance from her foster parents.

As anyone who cares for animals knows, keeping them healthy and fed is a colossal feat daily. With the economy in the state it's been for the last few years, donations are down. But the need for quality feed and hay and veterinary care for all those animals never stops. The farm is in constant need of donations to feed, house, and rehabilitate the sick, injured, elderly, or just unwanted animals in their care. They provide comprehensive medical workups for all the animals. This includes vaccinations, bloodwork, deworming, dental care, hoof care, chiropractic work, and everything in between and it can get costly!

If you'd like to help support this wonderful farm sanctuary you can check out their website to donate to their mission. Or stop by the shed store at the front of the property at 1602 Hinton Wilson Road in Harlem. In the store, you'll find soaps, body butters, and essential oils as well as natural laundry products and other homemade goodies. All purchases support the farm and make it possible for the Care Farm to continue providing such a loving environment for children and animals alike.

Austin Rhodes Leads Support For Patches the Horse

One thing I learned about coffee, there are a lot of places to get it here in the C-S-R-A.  I didn't know they made as many different types of coffee as they do.  The question is, who has the Best Coffee In Augusta?  I have the top 6 places coming up as voted on by you.

I'm not a big coffee drinker.  I do love the smell of coffee more than I like to drink it.  I think we all know people who drink as much coffee or more than we drink water or soda.  We have a coffee machine here at work, nothing fancy, nothing crazy. It makes black coffee and you can add creamer or sugar to the coffee.  that's about all you can do to the coffee here at work.  Let me tell you, that machine is brewing all day.

I would have to have done a top 100 to get all the coffee shops voted for in this poll, but here are a few that didn't make the list.

I did learn some fun facts about coffee today.  Coffee is a fruit.  I had no idea.   Bees love coffee and are the main pollinators of coffee plants.  Coffee helps boost creativity.  People who drink coffee are likely to live longer.  Americans drink about 400 million cups of coffee a day and around 146 billion cups a year.  Coffee is an 80 Billion dollar-a-year industry.  It's the second most consumed beverage behind water.

So while 60-year-old and older people drink the most coffee, the second most coffee is consumed by people between 18 and 24 years of age.  So if this is making you want to get up and get a cup of coffee or head to a coffee shop to do it, let's count them down and find out who has the best coffee in Augusta.

Located at 3116-1 William Few Parkway In Evans.  Great coffee and great food.  From Pulled Pork sandwiches to breakfast sandwiches, you'll find it all at Rooted Coffee House.

A favorite amongst our voters, Trellis Coffee Bar is located at 1902 Walton Way.  Whatever your coffee fix is, add a muffin or a Bostock and your day is off to a great start!

The only coffee shop in Aiken County to make the list came in strong.  Why having a great cup to go is so tasty, you can get Stone Roastery Coffee to go and make it at home or at work.

211 North Lousiville Street Street is where you the Harlem Java House.  Offering a variety of coffees and tea's, you'll love the Harlem Java House.  The menu also offers muffins, Home made Java Tarts (Home made Pop Tart), and sandwhiches 

Now we knew Dunkin' would be high on the list and we were right.  America runs on Dunkin', Ask them.  You can find a Dunkin' on just about every corner of any city you go to.  So we can see why Dunkin' ranks high

This one should not surprise any one.  Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a fresh pot of coffee always brewing, Waffle House is your place to go for coffee.  If you want coffee, then that's what you get at Waffle House.  No fancy latte's or ice brewed coffee,  just good ol' plain coffee.