“A beautiful day — just like spring.“ Thursday, February 8, 1945
4 Sun. Up at 10. The girls went skating, but I did a little school work. Lay down for awhile, but didn’t sleep. Ailyne & Elton came over for supper. It was nice seeing her again. She talked & talked. Left at eleven.
5 Mon. Howard brought us to town. The folks were in this afternoon. Mom, Dad & I got Linda’s & Elton’s wedding presents. I met Viola Pierce. She wants me to give the kids lessons. After helping Mrs. Stuart make lunch we did a little work and doing the dishes. ♫sang♫ & went to bed.
6 Tues. Mr & Mrs. S. went to Yellow Grass, so Ross had dinner ready for us. Doris & I did the dishes. Came home shortly after school. Ross & we girls did the supper & Vicky & Louise helped me with the dishes. I have a terrible cold so went to bed at nine. Got up at eleven & took medicine (Mrs. Stuart).
7 Wed. I don’t feel good. Get the shivers quite often. Went back to school right after dinner. Did a little work after school. Went to the C.C.Y.M. meeting at Mrs. Powers. There was a good att. Lovely lunch. I was put on the social committee. It rained tonight. I rode down town with Mable & Delbert, then walked home. Doris went to the show with Gordon.
8 Thurs. A beautiful day — just like spring. Everything is slushy. I went & saw Uncle Tom a few minutes after school. Read the papers. I went up to Aunt Menas. She wasn’t home, so I talked to Uncle Tom awhile. Electricians were here tonight, Jack practiced, men played crib. & Doris wrote a letter.
9 Fri. Dad & Howard were in to get us in our car. We went home & had supper. Alfred called for Miss Farrell. I did my washing, set my hair, & took a bath. In bed about 10.30.
10 Sat. Beautiful day. Thawing. Did very little work. Miss. F didn’t come home last night. We all went to town & all went to the first show (including Dad.) “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” in technicolor. It was grand. We all liked it. Bowled for half an hour with Howard & Freidts. I got 112. We girls had a chocolate ice cream soda after. Came home, had supper, & Dad took us to Linda’s wedding Dance in Colgate. Had a pretty good time. I danced a lot with Gordon Richardson. Home at 12.45.
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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.”