The Connection’s Epicure Could Use a Little Help

Written by Christian Kallen

Sheana Davis sees her cheese and foods shop, the Epicurean Connection, as more than just a place to pick up a snack.

As the name implies, the Connection is a place where Sonomans can meet, enjoy the culinary arts, listen to music or poetry, and feel part of a larger community.

Now that community is in a position to give back to Sheana Davis, who is facing high medical bills as a result of recent surgery. The Sheana Davis Medical Fund has been set upon the YouCaring.com website, a free online fundraising site to accepts donations for causes, surgeries, rehabilitation and memorial funds for everyday people.

“Sheana Davis has been a cheerleader for cheesemakers, farmers, chefs, ranchers and localized food movements for more than 24 years,” reads the web sites pitch for support. “Sheana is a rallying force in Sonoma County – and far beyond.

“Now it’s time for us to cheerlead her through some ongoing medical issues.” For her own part, Sheana Davis staying too busy to dwell overmuch on her health issues, at least in public.

She’s hosting music and/or poetry at the Epicurean Connection on a regular basis, and catering events small and big – she’s chief caterer at this weekend’s Echelon Gran Fondo party in the Plaza.

“You work too hard to lose your home over Medicare,” she said of herself. The fund was started by Ellen Hoover, co-chair of Sonoma Plein Air, and food blogger Heather Irwin, of the Bite Club.

Other supporters include Kendall-Jackson chef Justin Wangler and artist Stanley Mouse. “She’s always been so generous with her time and energies,” said Hoover. “If someone need something, for an art or school function, she’s always been willing to support in whatever way she could.”

"The food community in Sonoma County is a family, and when one of our own need help, we come running to their aid in whatever way we can," said Heather Irwin by email. Irwin’s Bite Club blog is itself a significant voice in the Sonoma County food community, and though her support of Davis’ needs are personal, as she says, it’s hard to separate the personal from the professional.

“The thing is, she's never been one to talk about her own troubles,” continued Irwin, “so when we found out she needed help with some ongoing medical bills, it seemed pretty obvious that we should pass around a jar and have folks chip in.”

So far the fund has raised almost $9000 of a $30,000 fund-raising goal, to help with Davis’ medical costs and keeping her business going. Major donations to this point have been received from Rogue Ales and the Hamel Family Vineyards.

But she still could use the support of the community at large, those who enjoy her cheese selection, her good taste in all things culinary, and her ongoing active support of Sonoma. Active fundraising for the Sheana Davis Medical Fund continues for another 16 days, until the end of May.

“We've been so heartened to see how many folks have responded both online and with handwritten checks,” said Irwin. “I think that speaks volumes about how Sheana has touched this community."

And Davis? She says with gratitude, “It’s humbling,” then moves on to the next task at hand.