Celebrating the ninth anniversary of the Grace Cafe . . . a bittersweet moment for founder Ginny Trepanier


city_scope_logo-cmykExactly one year ago, the Grace Cafe celebrated its eighth anniversary with a full house of guests.

That’s what founder and CEO Ginny Trepanier calls those who drop in for food, clothing, comfort and company.

And last Saturday (Dec. 9), on the ninth anniversary, she had this announcement.

“We are coming into a change and I am leaving the cafe and Don (husband Don Trepanier) is stepping down from The Annex, but we have got solid people, Lori (Graves) and Mike (Toth) to take over and run things.

“We have volunteers who are wonderful.”

It was a bittersweet moment for Trepanier. Continue reading

Former Elgin MP Ken Monteith was cut from a special kind of cloth


city_scope_logo-cmykHe is remembered as the consummate politician and a mentor to those considering tossing their hat in the political ring.
Former Elgin MP and Southwold resident Ken Monteith died on Feb. 3 at the age of 84.
City councillor Steve Peters recalls Monteith not only was a well-respected politician, but he also continued to give back to the community after he left politics.
“Ken was the consummate public servant. He started in the 1970s on Southwold council. Served as the warden in 1981, and went on to become the MP in 1988.
Monteith served as Elgin MP until 1993.
“But even after his defeat, he continued to give back to the community, whether it was supporting the hospital or the plowing match.”
Most recently he helped fundraise for Hospice of Elgin.
“Ken really had a life-long commitment to helping others in the community. He’s the type of person that is going to be really difficult to replace because a lot of times people will retire, but Ken stayed active until the end.”

Continue reading