Every Tuesday and Saturday, Margueritte Ginnever of Mansfield takes a trip to Mr. P’s Bar & Grill on South Diamond Street for breakfast. On Dec. 2, her usual visit was made a little sweeter by employees at Mr. P’s, who held a party in celebration of her 94th birthday.
As Ginnever entered Mr. P’s Tuesday morning, she was greeted by music and applause. Her face shone with excitement as she waved to those seated in the restaurant.
Alexis Petroff, manager, gave a warm embrace to Ginnever and guided her to ‘her’ booth.
“It has been a pleasure for you to have been part of our family,” said Petroff. “Thank you for supporting Mr. P’s all these years.”
Ginnever, who turned 94 on Nov. 30, has been a regular customer of Mr. P’s for about 30 years. “It’s just a nice place to come,” she said. She enjoys visiting Mr. P’s because of the people, she said, noting, “They’re very, very nice to me.”
Ohio State marching band music started playing in the background as Ginnever was given a cake that was decorated with OSU colors.
“She’s always been a big Buckeye fan,” noted Petroff, especially when it comes to basketball. Thus, as part of the celebration, Petroff presented Ginnever with a basketball signed by Thad Matta, head coach of the Ohio State basketball team.
Ginnever expressed her appreciation for the sweet gift. “You have been so good to me,” she said.
Petroff said she’s “inspired” by Ginnever. “She drives every day, she does all of her own banking, she goes to a card club every Friday, she’s here every Tuesday and every Saturday…she’s just very active,” said Petroff. She added, “She’s just a gem to be around.”
Aggie Cordwell, former cook at Mr. P’s, said she still tries to keep in touch with Ginnever. “I love Margueritte,” she said.
Ginnever grew up around Wooster and graduated from Eaton High School. She moved to Mansfield over 50 years ago. Upon moving to Mansfield, she got a job at Tappan. She later quit her job to become a volunteer at the Mansfield hospital, where she has been volunteering for over 50 years.
“I just like to help people,” she said.
Since the 1980s, she has been a regular of Mr. P’s. “I don’t even have to order; they just bring it in,” she said.
Ginnever sat smiling with her niece Becky Thomas and her husband Darry Thomas as she began to cut her cake. Of the birthday celebration she shared, “I just can’t hardly believe it, but I love it.”
