Cranberry Punch

1-1/2 cups sugar
3 cups boiling water
2 cups cranberry sauce (not whole berry)
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 quarts ginger ale
1/2 cup maraschino cherries, finely chopped.
1 box raspberry sherbert

Directions:
Dissolve sugar in boiling water; add cranberry sauce and stir until smooth. Add lemon juice. Strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth, and chill. When ready to serve, pour over scoops of raspberry sherbert in punch bowl. Add ginger ale and chopped cherries. Serves about 25.