“We locked ourselves out tonight.” Tuesday July17, 1945
15 Sun. We painted a Rodeo sign this morn, and put it on the gate. Went to S.S. & Church. During S.S. Jack Hawton told me about a Rodeo he had once seen. Came home after church. I started a letter. Had supper. Drove to Freemans, visited Mr. F. a few minutes then took Isabelle to McGugans. Stayed a half hour.
16 Mon. Mr Stutt brought us to town. We (Mrs. S. & Doris & I) went to the Tait, Wilder wedding in the Presbyterian Church. Came back & called to see Aunt Mena a moment. Then washed my hair. Eriel & Innes were here awhile. Willard called Doris. He has 14 days leave. Mr. & Mrs. S. prowled around until a.m. hours packing.
17 Tues. Mr. & Mrs. S. left on the bus for Vancouver. I was up at 7.30. Went to work early, as we didn’t get checked last night, on account of Ray being away. Doris got dinner. We locked ourselves out tonight but unhooked the side door through screen. Went to C.C.Y.M. It rained. We had pie for lunch. Our group. Doris came home barefoot.
18 Wed. Got home about one. Really went to town. Cleaned the kitchen & our bedroom, did a washing, cleaned up. Doris strolled in about 4.30. We took some ginger ale bottles down town & brought back a couple of full ones. Had supper. Wrote letters. Went for a walk & had lunch down town about 9.30. Met the Boyle girls. I was introduced to Margaret. They brought us home and came in here a few minutes.
19 Thurs. Nice day. Mom & Isabelle were in town. I bought a raincoat at Claskeys with their advice. Gossip all over the store about Rae Leitch & his girl friend sitting in the cellar. Didn’t get home from work until after seven. Read the papers. Went for a walk North, came home & played the piano, drank ginger ale & went to bed.
20 Fri. Terrific rain storm tonight & lights went out in the storm. Folks had roof blown off and there is a terrible mess out there. Ross phoned tonight to say that he and a bunch of kids will be home for the Rodeo, so Doris & I cleaned upstairs tonight. We had been to Ivys, but she wasn’t home. Bed about 11.15.
21 Sat. Took off a balance, but am away out. Heat was terrible. Worked until 9.45, so missed a real good parade. Saw Sadie & three girls, then went to the Legion at 10, and played with Len Pawley. Got $5.00 for two hours. Ralph was in to see me for a minute this morning. Looks fine. Folks waited in town for me tonight. I am terribly tired.
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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.