Cherry Grove performers donated services and tips for the Pines Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), which rescues and places stray cats and dogs, at the annual PAWS Benefit, at the Ice Palace, on the last day of May.  The effort raised $2,532 for the organization.  PAWS heads Lee Frey (Pines chapter) and Valerie Perez (Grove chapter) were present, Sal Piro coordinated the show for the 23rd consecutive year, and DJ Chuck McTague was responsible for music, lights, and sound.  MCs were Bella and Panzi.
Bella hosted the first half of the show.  Logan Hardcore did the opening number in six-inch heels.  Linda Dickerman was Rhett Butler—or Johnny Reb?—whose “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” with which everyone sang along, was repeatedly interrupted by Barbara Hirsch as Carol Burnett as Scarlett O’Hara, sporting curtains complete with curtain rods, to the tune of the “Tara” theme from “Gone with the Wind.”  An elegant Demi-Tasse brought down the house as Barbra Streisand doing Maltby and Shire’s “Starting Here, Starting Now.”  Mario Scarpa sang dulcetly of “The Summer Wind.”  Rose Levine, as Annie, sang “Tomorrow” to a stuffed toy Sandy.  This writer followed that Rose by singing Amanda McBroom’s “The Rose,” the Bette Midler anthem from the movie of the same name.  Gusty Winds gave us a wonderful “Dreams,” Grace Slick’s magical, mystical circus song.
Panzi began the second half of the evening with a zesty “I’ve Got a Lot of Living to Do,” from “Bye Bye, Birdie.”  A glamorous Donna Piranha contributed a hot “The Greatest Love of All.”  Kenny Holcomb sang, “We’re alone and I’m singing this song for you.”  Sonny Shores (Ken Woodhouse) sang a swinging “What’s New Pussycat?”  Always the life of the party, Ann Phetamine was on hand for “Let’s Have a Kiki” and “Raise Your Glass.”  Porsche closed the show by singing “Be My Baby” and Adele’s “Rumor Has It.”
Sal presented Rose and Bella with PAWS Lifetime Achievement Awards, Linda and Barbara with a Creativity Award, Mario with a Crooner’s Award, yours truly with a Leather Loyalty Award, and the others with appropriate awards as well.  A 50-50 raffle, totaling $1,200 was drawn, and there was a scrumptious desert table afterwards.