Memoir by George Varsamis
[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n an unforgettable Sunday in January, 1947, my father took my brother Fred and I to our first Vassara Society of Boston Meeting. All the “patraiotes” wanted information and news about their families still in Vassara. I became a member that day.
In the spring of that year, we had elections. Peter Condakes was elected President and I was elected Secretary. We fundraised for many necessary items for the xorio.
The first item we bought was the ALONISTIKI MIHANI (threshing machine). We raised the money needed and bought it through the Greek Parliament’s Undersecretary of Agriculture, Mr Demitri Koufos.
The second major purchase we raised money for was the water pump for the well in the KAMBO. Again, we bought it through Mr Koufos.
The third purchase was the most expensive of all. The water from ROZIANI. Mr. Soupo was selling the land and the spring water for $8000.00, which was an overwhelming amount of money in those days. Throughout that summer, in the hot weather, the president and I walked through Boston to raise the money needed from fellow Vassaraie patriotes.
With our will, and God’s help, we did it.
After serving in the United States Army for two years, I returned home, joined the society again, and was elected president.
At this time, since all roads were still dirt roads, there was a need to pave the streets of Vassara and Verroia. I had also received a letter from my Theio Nikodimo with a request to build an exoklissi, Agioi Apostoloi at the Monastery, Agioi Anargiroi. I relayed these needs to Mr. Condakes He told me not to hesitate and assured me that we will do it. We again raised the needed $3450.00.
We established a Vassaraiko Bowling Team. We played against the Boston Cathedral in Kenmore Square. After bowling, we would go for ice cream at Howard Johnson’s. It was a group of about ten Vassariotopoula and their friend. Two weddings came out of that group.
I am proud to say my idea to have a Christmas Party for our children made the Vassara Society the first in New England to hold such an event. This has since been an annual event. Nothing pleases me more than seeing those children, now parents, coming with their own children to the Vassara Society of Boston Christmas Parties.
