On July 11, reigning Miss Cherry's Ivanna Cocktail hosted a benefit for the Cherry Grove Doctors Fund, and a number of past Cherry's titleholders performed or were in the audience. Ginger Moore was the DJ.

In numbers from "Nine," Ivanna bade us "Be Italian;" to the rhythm of the tarantella, distributed bowls of pasta that she had cooked herself; and wearing the red, white and green of the Italian flag, professed her love for the "Cinema Italiano," and brought Victor Alfieri, 80 years young, to the stage to dance with her. Later, channeling Shirley Bassey, she urged, "Get This Party Started."

Gusty Winds offered an anecdote about a visit to the Cherry Grove doctor and a song about "Dr. Longjohn," who told her that her problem was that her, um, "cavity needed filling." Renée Flaming interwove hymn "How Great Thou Art" with scenes from "Designing Women." Aurora Stone's number was "Prove Your Love."

Demi-Tasse delivered a vivid performance of a comic selection from "Guys and Dolls" ("A person could develop a cold") and Ivanna led the audience in singing "Happy Birthday" to Demi, and to Tish. Later, pieces of Demi's birthday cake were given out. Bella dedicated her song-"I'm a middle-aged woman (Hot Flash!)"-to Ivanna. A bawdy Charity exhorted, "Put it all in there."

Dan Schlageter put a great deal of heart, soul and voice into singing "That's Life" and pledged to match all the tip money he received, which increased the funds raised by about $400. Porsche was on hand to sing us, shades of Sade, a dulcet "Smooth Operator" and, remembering Janis Joplin, a no-holds-barred "Piece of My Heart."

There was a 50-50 raffle, with the winner donating her prize back to the Doctor's Fund, and an auction of donated items, including gift certificates from local restaurants and gift baskets of various goodies.