By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Residents and guests filled the room at Maplewood Lane Assisted Living for a special celebration on Thursday, May 25, to observe the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.

Patriotic décor and classic American favorites such as hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, potato salad, baked beans, macaroni and cheese and more were on the menu for Maplewood’s inaugural Memorial Day Cookout. A cake with an American flag that read, “Freedom is not free,” was also served.

Eddie Cummings purchased the Maplewood Lane Assisted Living property on Dec. 1, 2016, and since that time, has made sure the residents feel like they’re at home.

To his knowledge, this was the first time Maplewood has held a cookout celebration for Memorial Day.

Cummings made sure to thank the staff at Maplewood for helping organize the cookout, as well as the work they put in each day at the assisted living facility.

“I just want to thank the team at Maplewood for this and they do an outstanding job every day,” Cummings said. “I think the main thing about Maplewood is the families love the staff and the staff loves the families. It’s evident that there’s a great staff here and the residents appreciate it because this is their home.”

Helena Mayor Mark Hall stopped by the Maplewood cookout to the delight of the residents and commended them on honoring the men and women who served.

Maplewood Lane Assisted Living is located at 223 Tucker Road. More information can be found at Maplewoodlane.com.