“Had nearly every dance.” Friday, October 12, 1945
7 Sun. Thanksgiving. Awoke at 9.45. The day was absolutely terrific & windy & dusty. I went to church with Stutts. The men stayed home. There was hardly anyone at church, but Mr. Stewart’s Sermon was grand, the best this year. Had an early chicken supper, then lots of music tonight.
8 Mon. Arose about 10 o’clock. Isabelle, Roy and the men went hunting, and fishing. I washed and set my hair. We had lunch at noon, then Mom & I sewed and repaired most of the afternoon. Had a big supper tonight. Men were back about 5.20. We played Finance this evening, then went to bed at ten.
9 Tues. Mom & Dad brought the MacRaes & I to town. Isabelle came in with Stutts. I said good bye to Uncle, then went to work, they left on the bus. Did a few dividends this afternoon. Isabelle & I went to the hospital on the 7.15 bus tonight. Saw Ailyne, Mary, Mr. Freeman, Melvin & Betty. Bennetts, and the two new babies. Came home & listened to Fibber McGee & Molly.
10 Wed. We had to work all day on account of Monday holiday. I have an awful lot of typing. Got quite a lot of it done. Ate an awful lot this aft. Clarice’s tape worm is working again. We bowled tonight against the B.A. Oil. Joyce, Bill & I were terrible. Lost all the games.
11 Thurs. Swell day. I finally got my typing caught up this aft. Helped with the dishes, played the piano awhile, bathed and wrote in my diary. Doris worked, got home at 9.30. I was already for bed.
12 Fri. Nice day. We had a good check-up, and I was glad, as at 6.20, just when I got out, I met Mr. Stutt whom I went out home with. Cleaned up & we three girls took the car to the dance at Riverview. It was absolutely packed. I had a good time. Had nearly every dance. Lunch with Grant Mitchell. Back to town with Pert.
13 Sat. Fairly sleepy this aft, but managed to keep awake. Did some bills this evening, but time passed fairly quickly. The folks were waiting for me as soon as work was out, and we went right home. The staff presented Kay with a lamp, at check up time, as she is leaving tonight.
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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.