“Homemakers Party for their Return boys“ Wednesday, April 17, 1946
14 Sun. Put everything in order. Is & Wilma got breakfast. I thought I was going to snooze but Dad suggested going to Freemans. Had a fair time. Stayed for supper against my judgement.
15 Mon. Is & I went back to work. Wilf helped me work on my balance. Doris phoned & wanted me & Is to go to show. It was “Scarlet Street” The craziest confounded thing I have ever seen.
16 Tues. My balance was ready when I got to work. Wilf had found it last nite. Good day. Saw the dilliest looking policeman. Wonder how many wives he has. Is & I met bus, Dad & Girls were in too. Mom came back. Good C.C.Y.M. meeting. I played for dancing.
17 Wed. Isabelle worked this morn & start of the afternoon. The stores were open on account of the holiday on Friday. I lay down after supper but couldn’t sleep. Isabelle, Alice & I went to the Homemakers Party for their Return boys in the Hostess Club. It was a little crumby we danced. Edgar, Burt & Bob Dickson danced with me. Isa. & I sang “Harbour Lights” & “Bonnie, Bonnie Heather”.
18 Thurs. I didn’t seem to have any energy today. We swallowed our supper anyway. Is & I went to the show at 7. Met Mom & the girls and Mrs Stutt. Saw “Kiss & Tell” with Shirley Temple. It was suggestive but comical. Mr. Stutt & Dad were playing checkers when we got home. We had lunch.
19 Friday. Did a little bit of everything this morn. Slept for two hours this afternoon. Mom & Isabelle wanted to go to Russ Garlands tonight so we did. Wilma & I had rather a boring time. However the lunch was grand.
20 Sat. Mom took me into town this morn. Business was terrific today. $2044. Biggest in our History. Wind & dust blew all day. Isabelle brought us home. Were in bed by 10.10.
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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.