“Keith drove me up to Kitsons to phone home this morn“ Sunday, June 1, 1947
June 1 Sun. Keith drove me up to Kitsons to phone home* this morn, then we went to Sunday School, all but Mrs Boyle. After dinner Keith & I went to Fred Lawrences, there the folks were. I drove all the way. Gee – its fun. Had a nice time. Home at our place about 8. Keith stayed until quite late. I think his folks are swell to let us have the car. He & I talked about our past tonight.
* Note from Chris: Phones in those days were on “party lines” which terminated in a local staffed telephone exchange. The Colgate “operator” was Mrs. Truber. Calls within you own exchange were free, but “long distance” calls were very expensive (in the magnitude of $1 per minute). The Butters were on the Weyburn Line and the Boyles were on the Colgate Line. Kitsons lived just “over the line” in the Weyburn exchange so a 3-mile drive could save a lot of money!
2 Mon. Mom brought us to town. Dean & Donna came up to the Office before going home with Mom. Isabelle went to the show with Alice. I went to bed in fairly good time, but Doris did her hair, so I couldn’t get to sleep.
3 Tues. Wilf wasn’t there hardly at all today. Isabelle & I went to Grace’s this evening. We played & sang for about an hour. Heard the noise form the Prayer Meeting in the Free Methodist Church. Grace seems to be very queer. We had sandwiches, cookies & coffee. Doris & I lay awake until 1 o’clock.
4 Wed. Just Grace & I in the Office. Keith came up at 12 & wanted to know if I’d like to go out home. His folks were all in, so we had dinner at the Commercial. Out home by 1.40. Wilma home from school. Had supper early & Mom, Dad & I came into the show “Secret Heart” June Allyson, Claudette Colbert, Walter Pidgeon. I took the folks. Stayed in town.
5 Thurs. Rained a little then turned out to be a beautiful evening. Grace went to a funeral, so I was alone most of the day. After my lesson, Isabelle dressed in her formal, so I tried on both hers and Arline’s and they looked nice on me, I do say to. Read a little bit.
6 Fri. Isabelle’s Formal Graduation tonight. She looked lovely. Had her photo taken, so I went over & saw her. Margaret, Wilma & Keith came in tonight. We drove around until the second show, then went to see “Til the Clouds Roll By” Pretty good. We ate candy & drank ginger ale, in the car. I was sick all morn at work absolutely miserable. Felt a little better tonight. Wilma went home with the kids.
7 Sat. Wilf was just at work for this morn. We kids got along alright. I worked tonight. Mom came to town before six & waited for us. Is. helped me to do the check up. Home shortly after ten. I wet my hair. Wilma is still away.
NEW! TODAY in “Read Through The Bible” with BoyleParkMedia
Click Here to view a scan of the handwritten original
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.