April 25, 2005 - The Broad Ripple McDonald's was filled to capacity. Minutes after I entered, a yell rang out, "Is there a piano player in the house?". Moments later a man made his way to the piano up on the small stage and he pounded out Happy Birthday. The entire restaurant, full of customers, broke into song. The occasion was Mary LaForge's 83rd birthday. As a side note, it is also the occasion of the one year anniversary of the Gazette. Mary's 82nd birthday party was the first story we covered.

Balloons and flowers decorated the dining room. By the entrance was a table of gifts and two very large cakes. The electronic sign out front scrolled by "Happy Birthday Mary".

Manager Robert Sutton smiled as he watched the festivities. "Mary is great," said Robert. "She works six days a week from 9 to 3 and brings a lot of hospitality here. Children come in and ask for The Cookie Lady."

It was non-stop hugs for Mary today. "She is a work of art," said regular customer Bill Miller. Another customer asked how long she plans to work. "Until I am 100!", she answers. Happy Birthday Mary!