This is the second installment in a series of stories from the Barrie Historical Archive, courtesy of archive supporter Diana Strachan.
After settling in Barrie with her sister, auntie and uncle, we see a snapshot of 16-year-old Peggy Newman finding her way in a new town.
In these letters, Peggy details friendships she's made since enrolling at Barrie Central Collegiate, many of which, according to her daughter Diana, would last lifelong.
Peggy also makes mention of popular locales around Barrie and the surrounding area as she discovers them, including restaurant The Corner Cupboard, nearby Willow Creek and Springwater Park.
Her letters also offer a glimpse into springtime activities still beloved in Barrie, including picnics, bicycle rides, sunbathing and ice-cream eating.
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April 28, 1941
Darling Mummy and Daddy,
How are you getting on? Well, we are now settled in Barrie and are having a marvellous time. Do you remember me telling you in my last letter about an invitation to a party in Toronto I had, and that I was going to wear my new dress? Well it so happened that the party was formal and so I wore that lovely blue dress of Auntie’s which she gave me. The party was on April 17th, which was a Thursday and I was driven into Toronto in the afternoon, but a Mrs. Massen who Auntie knew. I then went to Lady Gooderham’s house where Frankie Harrison is staying and had dinner and then we both got dressed and left for the party about 9 o’clock.
There were over a hundred girls and boys there, the boys in Tuxedos and girls in long dresses and everyone had a dance programme. Frankie and I got there rather late and only managed to get a few dances booked, but that didn’t matter because I didn’t stand out once. We really had a super time and one boy I met had rather a crush on me and danced four dances, including the supper dance with me and I might tell you that was a lot because each dance had so many parts to it. Eventually the dance ended at 2 o’clock and some boys took Frankie and I home in their car.
When we arrived we couldn’t get in because the doors had been double-locked and so we stood about for at least half an hour before we managed to wake the cook up to come down and let us in. The next morning we were up about 9 and had breakfast and then went for a walk to see some of my old friends and after lunch we went to a show with another English girl and then I was driven to the station and got some dinner and then caught the train home for Barrie. Golly, that train did take a long time and it was terribly old.
Anyway all that week I was terribly busy, one night I went out to dinner at Joyce Little’s and met some other girls, and on Tuesday we went for a bicycle hike and took our lunches and went out to a place called Willow Creek, honestly it was simply beautiful. Another time Joyce and I went off together for a ride and sun-bathed. Honestly, I was just whizzing around everywhere and met tons of people. Last Monday we started school at Barrie Collegiate and Joan and I both love it. I was put in the same form as Joyce so I go around with all her crowd and they are fun. There’s Emily Bell who is really most my friend along with Joyce, and then there’s Hammy and Livery, two girls who are grand fun and another girl call Margaret Mckinnin and then me. We all sit to-gether in class and have tons of fun.
On Thursday night I went to the French Club which they have and had a lovely time, all the members are mostly from 4th form and we meet at different girls houses and play French games and then whoevers house you are at provides refreshments which are very good. There are two French masters and a French mistrress who organise the games and everything. While I was there one of the boys from my form came up to me and started talking to me, he was rather fun and afterwards took me home and bought me a soda on the way. His name is Ken Carter and he’s quite a bit taller than me and altogether he’s not bad.
On Saturday Joyce and I and Gerry Norman, another girls in our form, and Joyce Flynn a friend of Joyce’s who has been very ill and at the moment doesn’t go to school went for another bicycle hike and we all got beautifully sunburnt. Afterwards when I got home Ken rang up and asked me to go for a walk, which I did and then he came back to the house and we couldn’t get in because everybody had gone out so we finally got in through a window. We then found some candy and I got my wireless down in the kitchen and we danced around and I was shown some new steps. Then Auntie came home and Ken left and then we went to bed.
On Sunday we got up rather late and then I did my prep and in the afternoon Joyce came up and I went back home with her and we went out with Dr. Little who had a call in the country. On the way out he bought us an ice-cream each and on the way back we went into Springwater park, which is a big national park and saw white deer and peacocks and all different kings of birds and there were a lot of table and fire places in the open where people come in the summer and bring their food with them and cook hotdogs etc. It was really lovely.
We finally got home and Mrs. Little gave us something to eat and we listened to the radio. Finally I got home by Auntie coming to fetch me and found Uncle home with another Major whom I hadn’t met and who told me after we’d been introduced that he had bought some ice cream along but that Joan and he had eaten it all up between them so there was none left for me. Finally I went to bed and when I woke up it was to-day Monday, and I went to school.
At school we learnt that there is going to be a school dance on May 9th where everybody goes stag so I’m going with the kids and we also learnt that there is going to be a demonstration night for the girls on May 24th where the first and second form will do folk-dancing and some gym demonstrations and the third form will do first-aid etc., and the fourths and fifth will do demonstration ballroom dancing. It's going to be fun and we will wear long dresses and really dress up for it. Emily is my partner and she’s got a pink dress and I shall wear my blue dress so we ought to look good to-gether.
After school Ken came up and asked me if I was busy, but I was going to Joyce’s house so I don’t know what he wanted. Did I tell you that I am now taking typing? Well I am and I’m getting on fine, so soon I shall be typing my letters to you which will be much quicker.
Well, I guess there is nothing else to tell you. We have been recieving your letters OK and you all seem pretty well. Joan and I are fine and my nose is beautifully sunburnt and we are having a wonderful time. Please send my love to the boys and all my friends. Cheerio, till I write again!
Tons of love,
From
Peggy xxxxxxxxx
PS Please look after yourselves
