“All went out skating on the slough. Shirley even took a few strides alone” Sunday, November 5, 1944
4 Sat. Dad called us at 9.30. He had had breakfast. He went to town before noon to get Isabelle & anti-freeze put in the car. Wilma & I worked til the middle of the afternoon. She scrubbed & waxed this floor. I gave Shirley a lesson. Just fooled around tonight. Went to bed about ten.
5 Sun. The girls and I did up the work this morn, then I did school work. We had lunch, then all went out skating on the slough. Shirley even took a few strides alone. Mrs. F. & the boys were over for awhile after I came in. Had supper, & then some music for quite awhile. I packed my suitcase and went to bed.
6 Mon. Dad and I came to town with Stutts. Spent a long time down town after school. There was a wedding here at seven o’clock, then we went down to meet the bus at 7.30 as Mom came in on it. The folks were in. We came home & did a little work, then had toast & went to bed.
7 Tues. Called on Aunt Mena at noon. Did homework after school. A little more this evening, then proceeded to take pictures. Got some, then had some music. Doris, Louise & I sang like birds. It was really grand. Bed at 11.45
8 Wed. Went back to school at 1.30 and got out at four. Are going to experiment on it for the future. Went shopping for shoes for Doris after school but didn’t get them. Did homework before supper. We went to the first show. “Going My Way” with Bing Crosby. It was very good. Had pie al a mode.
9 Thurs. Jack Cook (a mountie) was here for dinner. They were fixing the furnace & it was deathly cold up there, so Miss B. let us come home at recess. I studied shorthand til noon. Went back after dinner, but they weren’t finished. Typed for an hour, saw Mom & Mrs. Stutt, then came home. Had a rest. Did some Book. K. then Doris & I made supper. Did work this eve, helped Mr. S. with some work, then played the piano for three quarters of an hour. Came up stairs at ten.
10 Fri. Had a good morn, but what an afternoon! Went back at 1.30, & got out at 3.30. Bookkeeping was terrible! Did a little shopping. Came home & did odd jobs, cleaned up, etc. then Doris & I went down to Commencement in the Legion Hall. She received the History award. Met the folks after. Miss Ferrell was in with them. Home at 12.
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These are the diaries of a seventeen-year-old teenager from a farm near Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Her name is Lorraine. She eventually was a church organist in Colgate. In 1944 she was the piano player for a dance band in Weyburn. In these days before school busses she, and her sisters, each had to move from the farm into town to attend school for Grades 11 & 12. This is the darkest time in World War II. Weyburn hosted an airbase for BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan). In other words, the town is filled with eligible young airmen from all over the world …
For more information on BCATP see a blog site dedicated to “Paying homage to those who stayed behind to train those who fought overseas.”