400 Turn Out
At Benefit Dinner
In Stockbridge
By Shari McLaughlin

There’s power in the hills—the power of people coming together, united for a common cause and there’s nothing else like it in the whole world. Stockbridge got to flex its power Monday night at the Peavine Restaurant, when over 400 friends and neighbors from surrounding communities united to lift up and support one of their own in need.

Shelly Rogers, a popular waitress at the Peavine well known for her energy, zest for life and dancing, was diagnosed March 11 with multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer. Her doctors told her it was the least likely cancer to be cured but, she says with a smile and a laugh, "I’m a pretty tough chick, ya know."

Out of "sheer panic" she immediately began chemotherapy, but quickly eschewed it because of the intense pain and side effects and began searching for alternatives. Through research, the guidance of friends and advice of a naturopathic doctor, she discovered the Castillo Clinic in Mexico staffed with both traditional medical doctors and naturopaths.

Rogers is quick to point out that she believes in the traditional medical system but at this point, natural therapies and non-toxic treatments are the best course for her. She has begun following a specially prescribed high alkaline/low acid diet and has seen immediate results. Not only has her color improved dramatically and her energy returned, but the intense daily migraines to the point of vomiting have stopped.

With no health insurance or way to pay for treatments, Shelly’s kids, Tiffany Brown and Keevin Rogers, both of Stockbridge, together with Tiffany’s husband Jabin, and Keevin’s partner, Justine Calnan, turned their worry and anguish into action and quickly organized the benefit dinner. The Mattson family agreed to allow the group to use the Peavine Restaurant and donated all of the food. Numerous items were donated for the raffle by area businesses.

Keevin, a personal chef by trade, began prepping and cooking at 6:30 a.m. and, with just the assistance of Justine and her mom, Sandy Calnan, the three managed to serve dinner to a huge crowd. "They stopped counting at 400," Rogers says with amazement. The lines began at 4 p.m. and extended out the door all evening, with cars in the parking lot overflowing onto Route 107. Activities like dancing, "Wheel of Fortune" and a cake-walk had to be scratched, because there just wasn’t any room. Recovering from recent surgery herself, Tiffany acted as hostess and MC, and the wait staff and bartender, who all donated their time, worked at a frenetic pace. Volunteers jumped in and helped with bussing and waiting on tables. Rogers even pitched in, despite the protests from her friends and family.

And then the food ran out. Yet, says a stunned Rogers, "People just smiled and said ‘Oh, that’s all right. We’ll just buy a T-Shirt (‘Cancer Schmancer’) instead. We’re here for you anyway.’"

"I’m not a crier, but I’ve cried all morning because of last night," Rogers said the next day. "How can you say thank you with just two little words? I’m not only appreciative of these people, I love them. I wish I could do a big group hug! As soon as I can, I’m gonna do a BIG community show and say ‘thank you’ in my own way."