Through this organization. a number of abandoned farms around Richmond. Pittston. Dresden and Gardiner. Maine. were purchased and made available to the refugees. Many of the farm homes were little more than weatherbeaten shacks. the walls of barns and outbuildings precariously propped against the wind. In some cases roofs were gone or beyond repair. Living conditions were deplorable by average American standards but the hardy Russians stuck it out. Gradually. working with the scarcest and crudest of tools. they began to restore houses and buildings. Vegetable gardens sprang up and flowers bloomed like living symbols of their hopes. Small flocks of chickens appeared on farm after farm. followed by quietspoken. friendly "Mr.
Identified stereotypes
Hardy Russians stuck it out.