Keefes well represented on Kmkora S neW war monument

Journal—Pioneer 1992

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[{athleenis brother Earl in front of the war memorial in Kin/eora. The memorial is inscribed with the names of the six Keq‘e brothers who served during the Second

lVorld Ver (Photo Ked‘elrainormom)

Throughout the Depression and the war years, social life in Kinkora revolved around the church and the community hall. The hall put on plays and dances, and Christmas concerts were one of the highlights of the year. The whole community would turn out for these events, which provided a welcome distraction from the depressed economic times of the

1930s.

Despite the heightened tensions and concerns during the Depression and the Second World War the people of Kinkora took respite every Saturday night by gathering at the community hall for a dance. There were people of all ages, and everyone would join in. The musicians, led by a fiddler, came from nearby Emerald, and played for square dances and waltzes. One square dance was called the Saratogo Lancer, which Kathleen remembers as one of the most beautiful of dance forms. Everyone in Kinkora could engage in this complex dance without any problems

or mis—steps. Although the Saratoga Lancer was popular in Irish communities, those from Kelly’s Cross or Emerald were never considered to be as proficient at it as the people from Kinkora.

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