“The family shouted that a music pupil was coming“ Monday, April 2, 1945
Apr 1 Easter Sunday. Got up in good time. Were going to go to church, but thought better of it, & decided to go to the hospital & see Aunt Mena & U. Tom. They are getting along pretty well. Came out to Mae’s & Monty’s. Met Dorothy Tait, Mae’s cousin. They sure have the place fixed up nice. Had a nice supper. Didn’t do the dishes. I read my book for awhile. Bed about 10.30.
2 Mon. The family shouted that a music pupil was coming, so I had to jump out of bed at 9.30. Felt sleepy. Donald came for his lesson. I did some pressing, & got dinner. Mom & Dad washed the kitchen ceiling & walls then cleaned the china cabinet. Dad painted the ceiling & Mom & Isabelle did the walls. We listened to Lux tonight. It was grand. “Swanee River.” Story of Stephen Fosters life. I couldn’t get to sleep til 12.
3 Tues. Mr. Stutt brought us to town. Mrs. Lane was here after school so we saw her for a few minutes. Went to the C.C.Y.M. Mr Charlie Brouton was there to speak to us, so took us to the Committee Rooms. Not near so comfortable. He gave us a good talk. Some of us went to the Rest Room for lunch. Looked in at the bowling alley & came home.
4 Wed. I came right home after school. Doris stayed & typed. I pressed my skirt & stuff then went to the hospital on the bus, saw Aunt Mena & Uncle Tom a few minutes. Then walked or rather ran down & met Eriel before eight. We went to the official opening of the Youth Centre. Saw three moving pictures then Eriel treated me to ice cream. Home at 11.10.
5 Thurs. Rather a cool day. The new Co-op opened up in the McKinnon Block. We were in there on our way home at noon. Everybody was in town this afternoon, including the folks & Mrs. S. We stayed downtown til 5 o’clock, when Dad brought us home in the car. Ross was going to take us to the show, but some mysterious thing happened & he went himself. We went at 9. It was Joanne Crane in “In The Meantime Darling.” Fair.
6 Fri. Mr. Stutt came to town for us. Were home before 5. Played in Goodwater tonight. Isabelle went down with us. Real big crowd. They were rather noisy. Pretty good dance. Home just before three.
7 Sat. Did a little work this morn. Gave Donald & Dorlyn their lessons, then Shirley hers this afternoon. Washed my hair. Lay down awhile. Had early lunch, but Mr Farrell phoned to say that Julia would not be in tonight, so Dad didn’t go to town. I embroidered, read & went to bed.
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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.”