Welcome to the home page of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts), founded in 1975 and located in Tampa Bay. The purposes of the Estonian Society are to provide education about Estonia and Estonians, promote cultural exchange, and to provide opportunities for Estonians and friends of Estonia to gather and enjoy Estonian culture and traditions and to promote their continuity.
Estonian and Estonian-American residents of Tampa Bay are happy to welcome snowbirds and visitors at our events — please visit our calendar of events whenever you are planning a visit in our area.
The Estonian Society of Central Florida holds monthly luncheon meetings. In 2010/2011, luncheon meetings are scheduled from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on the following dates: November 7, 2010; December 5, 2010; January 2, 2011; January 30, 2011 starting at 3:15 pm (a change in the schedule to host a reception for the Estonian Consul General); April 3, 2011; May 1, 2011 (at the home of Oivi and Jack Dudley); October 2, 2011; and November 6, 2011 (annual business meeting for 2011/2012). Please email Mr. Rein Raja, raja7@juno.com or call (727) 866-2614
or email Ms. Maare Kuuskvere, jaank@verizon.net or call (941) 795-6835, to let him/her know you are coming.
Each February the Estonian Society of Central Florida celebrates Estonian Independence Day (Vabariigi Aastapäev). Here is information for our celebration on February 26, 2011:
Eesti Vabariigi 93.a Aastapäeva Aktus
93nd Estonian Independence Day Celebration
Saturday, February 26, 2011
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Countryside Country Club
3001 Countryside Blvd.
Clearwater, Florida
Cost per person: $30
Please make reservations by calling or emailing Mr. Rein Raja or Ms. Maare Kuuskvere by 11:00 am, Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Please mail your check ($30/person) made payable to the Estonian Society of Central Florida by Wednesday, February 23, 2011, to Mr. Rein Raja, KFES Treasurer, 501 Laguna Dr., Tierra Verde, FL 33715. No refunds can be given for cancellations after February 23, 2011. (If you would like to include your 2010-2011 KFES membership dues in your check, please add $15/person.)
Contact Information:
Mr. Rein Raja at (727) 866-2614, raja7@juno.com
or
Ms. Maare Kuuskvere at (941) 795-6835, jaank@verizon.net
Each June the Estonian Society of Central Florida celebrates St. John’s Day (Jaanipäev).
St. John’s Day Celebration
Jaanipäev
June 25, 2011
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Reserved Pavilion on Anna Maria Island
Please direct questions to:
Mr. Rein Raja at (727) 866-2614, raja7@juno.com
or
Ms. Maare Kuuskvere at (941) 795-6835, jaank@verizon.net
In the meantime, to learn more about the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts), please email Mr. Rein Raja, raja7@juno.com, or Ms. Maare Kuuskvere, jaank@verizon.net.
Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Central Florida
Many of the members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida are members of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Central Florida (Eesti Evangeeliumi Luteri Usu Kirik (E.E.L.K.) – Kesk-Florida Kogudus), which worships in St. Petersburg, generally during the winter months (October, December, January, March, and April).
The 2010-2011 services of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Central Florida are being held: October 31, 2010 (Rev. Priit Rebane); November 28, 2010 (Rev./Abipraost Hendrik Laur); Christmas Eve, December 24, 2010 (Rev. Priit Rebane); January 30, 2011 (Rev./Abipraost Hendrik Laur); March 27, 2011 (Rev./Abipraost Hendrik Laur); Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 (Rev. Priit Rebane); October 23, 2011 (Rev./Abipraost Hendrik Laur); November 27, 2011 (Rev./Abipraost Hendrik Laur); December 24, 2011 (Rev. Priit Rebane); January 22, 2012 (Rev./Abipraost Hendrik Laur); and Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012 (Rev. Priit Rebane). Services are held at 2:00 pm, and a coffee hour follows. The coffee hour on January 30, 2011 is combined with a reception for the Estonian Consul General that is hosted by the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts – KFES) at the home of Jüri and Kersti Linask starting at 3:15 pm; information about the reception is posted on this web site. All services are held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 5th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida. Directions are available at the Church’s website: Trinity Lutheran Church.
For more information about the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Central Florida (E.E.L.K. Kesk-Florida), please contact Pastor Priit Rebane by sending an email to priit@rebane.com or Mr. Jüri Linask by sending an email to jlinask@tampabay.rr.com or calling 727-540-0164.
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