Community News
The Society is pleased to welcome two new members: Chris Gatz of New South Wales, Australia (he is featured in an article in this issue about the Aromanians down under) — Mr. Gatz was born in the Farsarot village of Kefalovrison (Megidia), in the province of Epirus, Greece; and Christy M. Kara of Omaha, Nebraska, who recently discovered his …
Community News
We welcome with great pleasure new member Terry A. Terezi of Florida, whose parents hailed from the once famous town of Voskopolje. As announced by President Robert Nicola at the 90th Anniversary Dinner Dance, the Society wishes to express its deepest appreciation to Ms. Margaret Caciavely for her generous donation in memory of her late …
The Tamposi Brothers, Pioneers in American Civil Aviation
Nick, Jim and Sam. With such familiar American names they could be three brothers in any Yankee family. But their common names mislead us, for they belong to three very uncommon men. They are the stalwart sons of George and Aspasia Tamposi, who immigrated here from the mountain hamlet of Avdhella, Greece, at the start …
An Interview with Dr. Hristo N. Colakovski
CORRESPONDENT’S PREFACE: This piece developed in the first three months of 1993. Because of mutual busy schedules, I incorporated Hristo’s written responses to my initial questionnaire with an 11 March 93 interview. Since I also drew upon discussions held with Dr. Colakovski since he first arrived in the United States four years ago, I asked …
Community News
We welcome with great pleasure our newest member, Mr. Ovidiu Ocrain of Fairfield, CT. The number of new members increased markedly when the Newsletter first began publication, but it has since slowed down. If you like our publication but are not a member, we encourage you to join the Society Farsarotul; if you are already …
Some Extraordinary Vlachs
In the past few months, I have been thinking of some of our people who have done extraordinary things and have distinguished themselves in a wide range of undertakings. Let me share some portraits of these people with you. Dermatology and Miniature Cameras I will begin with the late Dr. Haralambie Cicma, a dermatologist. As a …
A Biography of Nicholas A. Sholler, MD
The Society Farsarotul presented its 1992 Distinguished Service Award to one of our most beloved leaders, Nicholas A. Sholler, MD, at our 89th Anniversary Celebration, held on June 13th, 1992 at the Fairfield University Oak Room. The son of Andrea and Vasila Vanghele Shola, Nicholas A. Sholler was born in Korce, Albania. Variants of his family name …
News about Albania
We received this notice in slightly imperfect English from the Cultural Association “Aremenli din Albania”: R E S O L U T I O N The first Conference of the Association “Aromanians of Albania,” which gathered today on April 5, 1992, finished its proceedings successfully. It was an important event for the Aromanian population and …
Community News
We welcome with great pleasure the following new members: Virginia Gingras Lincoln, RI Lucas M. Fatsy Fairfield, CT Derek C. Fatsy Fairfield, CT Society Farsarotul member Albert R. Booky, whose father was James Toli Bousbooki from the village of Avdhella in Greece, has recently published a paperback novel that touches upon aspects of Balkan history. Remember …
Community News
We welcome with great pleasure the following new members: Spiro Macris of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Ian Price of Los Angeles, California. We are very pleased to announce the awarding of the first Society Farsarotul Grant of $1,000. to Dr. Spiro Shituni, Chairman of the Department of Ethnomusicology at the University of Tirana. Dr. Shituni …
The Macedonian Romanians of St. Louis
St. Louis is one of the major cities in the United States to have attracted a significant number of Macedonian Romanian immigrants in the first half of this century. While the majority of our people settled on the East coast — predominantly in New York City, Bridgeport (Connecticut) and Woonsocket (Rhode Island) — many were …
Community News
Our community has sustained two tragic losses: Roger Fatse of New York, and Tom Caciavelly of St. Louis. Both were members of the Society Farsarotul — and both were successful professionals who died before their time. Tom Caciavelly’s life is described in the article about the St. Louis community in this issue of the Newsletter. …
Community News
We have suffered several tragic losses recently: two veteran members of the Society Farsarotul from New York — George Gecca and Christy (Kiciu) Balamaci — and one of our longtime Directors from Bridgeport — Constantine (Cociu) Jombur, who was also a very active leader in the Society Perivolea. With their passing, we have lost an …
Late-Breaking News from Our Midwestern Correspondent
Greetings. On one of my recent expeditions to meet Vlach families in the Midwest, I was fortunate enough to meet Mrs. Radka Radevski. Her parents were part of a group of Aromanians from the village of Gopesh (now in Yugoslavia) who settled in Ellwood City, PA. Radka is very proud of her ethnic heritage. Her …
Aromanian Drama in America
At least three Romanian Orthodox churches in America were founded by our Aromanian forefathers: St. DImitrie in Bridgeport, CT; St. John the Baptist in Woonsocket, RI; and St. Dumitru in New York, NY. One way the members of these churches kept in touch with their Aromanian culture was through a series of plays produced both …
Community News
We welcome with great pleasure the following new members (NOTE: Because it was delayed until May 1990, the February 1990 issue included the names of many who joined the Society in the last six months): Anne Nastu Bridgeport, CT Masato Masukawa Ann Arbor, MI Virginia Foley Rehoboth, MA We goofed: Besides mailing out the February …
Community News & Information
We welcome with great pleasure the following new members: Joseph J.Booky Coppell, TX Victor Babu Overland Pk, KS James Forest Nashua, NH Thomas G.Becea San Diego, CA Tanasi Shola Providence, RI Elly Adam Toronto, Canada Theo.Vlachos Watertown, MA John Zegras Yonkers, NY William Zegras Bedford, NY Peter Zegras Westport, CT Jenny S. Babu Fairfield, CT …
Community News
We welcome with great pleasure the following new members: James Perkins New Milford, CT Thomas R. Fatse New York, NY G.Brajituli Bonn, W.Germany L.Thomas Babu Springfield, IL Laura Christo Monroe, CT Our correspondent in the Midwest, Tom Rossiaky, expects to attend our Annual Dinner Dance on November 11, 1989. In the meantime he sends us …
How I Became Interested in My Ethnic Background
First, some family back-ground: My mother’s maiden name was Mariana McCombs. The fourth of six children, she was of mixed British and Germanic background. My father’s name is Anastas Thomas Rushaki. He was the first of six brothers; his father came from Magarova, his mother from Krushevo (both now in Yugoslavia). Being the first grandchild …
History of the Society Farsarotul
While benevolent societies have existed for many centuries, the specific roots of the Society Farsarotul may lie in the guild system of Ottoman cities. Guilds were groups of men in similar professions who banded together for their mutual support. When the Ottomans conquered the Balkans, the Turkish religious brotherhoods (akhi) took over the existing Balkan …