Looking for Forever Homes

 In 1962, barely two years out of living in Cornwall, Moe Racine, number 62, the big guy from the mill city’s East End, found himself standing on a football field in Vancouver, listening to the roaring crowd, ready to kick for a goal in a national game. At that crucial moment, he remembered thinking, “I actually have to take this game seriously!” 

He did take it seriously. 

In his professional career (1958-1974) with the Ottawa Rough Riders, Moe Racine, a place kicker and offensive lineman, was part of four Grey Cup winning teams, a CFL East All Star 1962, 1965 and 1966, and holder of the team record for most games played, 213. His jersey, # 62, was retired by the Riders at his last game in 1974. And in 2014, Moe Racine was officially inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Thom Racine, Moe’s son, was at the South Dundas Historical Society meeting in Iroquois on Thursday, June 18, to discuss his new book, Moe the Toe: Never My Dream, a memoir of the player’s life on and off the football field.

A retired member of the Cornwall Police Force, an historian and author of Constable Davey – A Future Lost, himself an avid sportsman and sports fan, Thom Racine spent three years talking to his dad, writing notes and putting this memoir together. Along the way, Racine did extensive research into the history of the CFL and the great players who were often his father’s team mates and on-field rivals. An affable and knowledgeable man himself, Thom told stories and shared anecdotes from his new book.

“By grade six,” Racine said, “my dad, who was born in 1937, had grown into this ‘behemoth of a kid’ who was so good at sports that teachers kept holding him back from games so other kids could have a chance. He was one of six children, and his father, my grandfather, had the attitude that schooling was only important to a certain age, especially if the family needed money. I don’t think my grandfather understood football up to the day he died. It was my grandmother who insisted that Moe go to St. Lawrence High School. On his first day there, the phys. ed. teacher recruited him to play football. He didn’t know a thing about football. That was the start of a 22 year career in the game.”

Thom shared insights into his father’s career. From leading St. Lawrence to its third high school championship, to starting with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1958 at a salary of $1,300, Moe Racine built a reputation as a determined kicker. “On October 8, 1962, with one second left on the clock, he kicked a 41 yard field goal in Montreal that won the game 26-24. That’s when he picked up the nickname, Moe the Toe.”

Thom brought that game winning ball, a # 62 jersey, a 1973 Grey Cup ball and other memorabilia to his presentation. He also talked a little of what it was like to grow up with a father who was often in the limelight. “Our mother kept us very aware that we were no different than anyone else, that we were just like other kids whatever our dad did.” However, Thom admitted to being secretly thrilled when his father appeared on a sports card in 1968 that also mentioned his family and all his children’s names.

Moe Racine once said, “I was blessed with pretty good physical ability, but it was heart that got me through.”

“Growing up a Milltown boy, Dad’s story is one of family, and of perseverance that culminates with the perfect timing of his being inducted into the Hall of Fame just as the book was ready to come out,” Thom Racine said. “When we were trying to think of a title for this memoir, we knew part of it would be Moe the Toe. We ran a lot of ideas by him, including a number of ‘dream’ themes. That’s when Dad exclaimed, ‘Football was never my dream! I didn’t even know what a football was.’ And I said, Dad, I think you have the title.”

[…]

The approximately 80 Williamsburg library supporters who packed the Chesterville library March 21, will get another chance to show their support for the small town library.

The SD&G library board, which decided late last year that the Williamsburg and Morrisburg branches of the SD&G library will be consolidated at the new Morrisburg location, later this year, met in Chesterville last week. There, Lisa Vreman, one of many strong supporters of keeping the Williamsburg branch open, in Williamsburg, was allowed to make a presentation.

“One of the most frustrating things about this announcement is that there was no discussion or consultation with the Williamsburg community about this closure,” Vreman told the board.

After her presentation, which outlined the importance of the branch to the small community, which strongly supports the branch, board chairman Bill McGimpsey announced that the board will hold a public information meeting, including a question and answer session, in Williamsburg in late April or early May. 

“We are not hiding anything. This is about the survival of the library system. No one at this table wants to do a disservice to the community. Libraries simply aren’t what they were,” said McGimpsey.

At the upcoming meeting he plans to release details about some alternatives they are working on to maintain some level of service within the community. 

“I was really pleased with the turnout at the meeting,” said Vreman after the meeting. “I think the library board heard a lot about our Williamsburg library that they didn’t know before.”

At the meeting, board member Chris McDonell said that he is not in favour of closing the Williamsburg branch. “This board is here to promote the library, not to close it,” said McDonell. 

When someone in the audience asked if there was any possibility that the branch could remain open until the building that houses the library is no longer available, McGimpsey re-iterated that the plan is to move in to the new location in Morrisburg as soon as it is ready. 

[…]

Friday was nomination day for the October 27 municipal election, and on that final day, South Dundas gained three more councillor candidates.

South Dundas voters will now have the opportunity from two mayoral candidates, three deputy mayoral candidates and nine councillor candidates.

The three new councillor candidates gained this week include Mahlon Locke, Marc St. Pierre and Robert Gillard.

“I have never been on council before, so I figured that a councillor seat would  be a good place to start,” said Locke.

“My election platform is that I don’t have a platform,” he said, explaining that he is submitted his name for councillor because he is a concerned citizen.

Locke has contemplated running for council in the past, but work and other commitments had put a damper on the idea at the time. Locke retired from Bell Canada in 2012. 

“I now have more time and energy to put towards things I am interested in, one of them being part of township council, if elected,” he said.

“There are events that have happened in the past that I, and others do not understand. I am hoping that be running for councillor, those answers and others will become readily available and I, in turn, will be able to pass this information on to other people,” said Locke.

“The money has already been spent. I believe we need to digest the debt we now hold and try to operate status quo.”

Locke wants to help others, and he believes being closer to the centre of activity will allow him to do just that.

Marc St. Pierre filed is nomination papers for councillor shortly after Locke.

St. Pierre has been thinking about running for South Dundas council for several years. He seriously contemplated a run in the last municipal election, but decided that then, his young daughter should be his focus. She is now 11, and St. Pierre believes that this time the position is a better fit for him and his family.

“Economic Development, fire services and waterfront planning are a few issues where I have an opinion,” said St. Pierre.  “I think I can offer some expertise,” said St. Pierre, who has experience with land development and municipal infrastructure. “I have also been a firefighter for years, so I can offer some additional viewpoints there,” he said.

Although St. Pierre works in Kanata, he plans to continue to live in South Dundas, long-term. “I like living in South Dundas. It’s a good place to live. “I think there’s always room for community improvement,” said St. Pierre, who wants to be part of those improvements.

St. Pierre believes that for a newcomer to municipal politics, being elected councillor is the right place to start. “I really think there’s a learning curve,” he said, adding that while he is learning about being a councillor, he can at the same time bring something to the decision-making process.

The final name added to the list of candidates was Robert (Rowdy) Gillard, one that is not new to the local political scene.

Gillard is a 30 year, plus, veteran of municipal council, having served in every position including councillor, deputy mayor and mayor.

He sees councillor as the best fit for him in this election.

“By being at the table, I can help those out there that need help,” said Gillard. “I think I can contribute.”

Gillard would like to find a way to pursue affordable housing opportunities. “The average person can’t afford things, the way it is now,” he said.

Gillard, who had some health issues, says he is now feeling very well, and he looks forward to getting back into municipal politics.

“Councillor is a great place to do that. It’s the position where you have the most time to listen to the concerns of local people,” said Gillard. “I like when people feel like they can come to you with their issues.”

Gillard will have a limited number of election signs, instead opting to donate those funds to local charities.

Incumbent mayor Steven Byvelds and councillor Evonne Delegarde are facing off for the top spot. The deputy mayors race is a three man race between incumbent Jim Locke, former councillor Del Jones and political newcomer Carl Matthews-McIntyre. The list of nine councillor candidates vying for the three available councillor seats includes Phillip Blancher, Bill Ewing, Bert Geertsma, Robert Gillard, Jim Graham, Mahlon Locke, Archie Mellan, Jim Mills and Marc St. Pierre.

Voters in South Dundas will have the opportunity to vote by phone or internet. A paper ballot polling station will also be available.

[…]