“I stuck a whole raft of pictures in my new album.“ Sunday, January 20, 1945
20 Sun. I stuck a whole raft of pictures in my new album. Harry Bowditches came up around three. We had a very nice time. Margorie is cute. Had a little music after supper.

21 Mon. Dad brought us to town. Dorothy Arnett came with us. Came back to work tonight. Dot & Gladys were both there. Isabelle came down about nine. Had a lot of fun. Home at 10. Doris & Alex had Pork & Beans ready for us for lunch.
22 Tues. A fairly nice day. The men have been curling in the bonspiel, so shorthanded at the store. Fairly good business. Went back to work at 7.45 & left at 9.30. Bed in good time. Doris at a badminton party.
23 Wed. Mr. Powers & Ross were away curling again this morn. Business was pitifully small. Clarice & I went back to work this aft. I went at 2.30 & left shortly after 4. Alice, Doris, Isabelle & I all went to Irene’s & Clara’s for supper. Had a lovely time. Looked at snaps after supper. Left just before ten.
24 Thurs. Took off a balance, but it just doesn’t. Saw the show “Out of This World.” It was fair. Comical in spots. Isabelle & I went. Came home & sang for awhile. Got to bed in fair time. Weather was just fair.
25 Fri. Still am trying to balance. I played for the St. Andrews Dance tonight with Sherm at the IOOF, Wasn’t bad. I got quite tired, as we played steady from 9.30 to 1.30. Didn’t stop for lunch. Got $4.00
26 Sat. Charles found my 17 cents. What a relief! Got caught up this afternoon. Dad brought Wilma & Shirley to town & took us all home, as Isabelle worked all day. Listened to “Truth or Consequences.”
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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.