Memories of New Year’s Eve 1966
A memory of New Year’s Eve in 1966 was shared on Historic Saskatchewan’s Facebook page, and it is worth sharing. Blaine Coleman tells his story, which reveals the fortitude and excellent work ethic of a generation that not only worked hard but also played hard in rural Saskatchewan. We hope you enjoy it.
In 1966 I was working at a Texaco service station. On the morning of New Year’s Eve I had to be up and at work at 7:00 in the morning. That morning was -40 with about a 20 mph wind blowing.
I was living on the farm at the time and I started my car, a 1963 Fairlane and drove the seven miles to work. Because it was so cold I left my car running when I got to work.
About 8:00 a.m. my boss phoned me at work and asked if I could close down for a few minutes and go and boost him because his truck wouldn’t start. I boosted him and he followed me to work, and then the day began.
All the calls at work that day were people wanting boosts. The battery in my bosses’ truck was low so I had to handle all the calls with my car.
Being New Year’s eve we shut down early at 5:00 p.m. and went our separate ways. Of course, being a teenager and New Year’s Eve, it may be cold but I was going to the dance and party.
I went to the dance, again leaving my car running, and of course during the dance sneaking out for the odd drink with friends - again in my car. Friends made fun of me for leaving my car running, however when the dance was over it was 45 below, and I had to boost eleven cars before everyone left the parking lot.
Of course being me, 1:30 a.m. was early for New Year’s Eve so I had to go to a couple of parties. The last party ended at 6:30 a.m., and I made my way home.
However after leaving my car run for all this time I had to stop and open up the service station to get gas. I went there and four cars came and got gas; people that were travelling and looking for an open service station to refuel.
My car was full of gas when I left the farm that morning and after leaving it running constantly for 24 hours, the total cost of the gas was $7.30. I got paid $1.00 an hour at work and we charged $2.00 for a boost. Although it was myself and my car boosting, all the money went to my boss. There was no charge when I boosted after the dance.
At that time, if I got off work at 4:00 p.m. and it was busy, I would stay an hour or two and help and never think about overtime wages. We just did that then!
Of course when I got home on New Years morning there were chores to do, but I did manage a bit of sleep and enjoyed a huge New Year’s Day meal that evening. I was back at work at 7:00 a.m. the next morning.