The 2:00 pm, Sunday, May 1, 2011, meeting and luncheon of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) was held at the lovely home of Oivi and Jack Dudley, our newest members. While Oivi and Jack had prepared a wonderful luncheon that included freshly baked liha pirukad, members were invited to bring something for the luncheon table, too, and a wonderful smorgasbord was laid. KFES President Tõnu Toomepuu hosted everyone with champagne. See photographs following this report.
At the start of the business meeting, President Toomepuu graciously thanked our hosts, Oivi and Jack; his remarks were punctuated with enthusiastic applause by the entire group in gratitude to Oivi and Jack. KFES had one business item to address: KFES member Lisa Mets, formerly of Michigan and KLENK, reported that KLENK 2010 (Chicago) had voiced support that their next gathering be hosted in Florida in January 2012; otherwise, the midwestern rotation would place KLENK in Indianapolis in November 2011. Preliminary background work has been done, a hotel with very favorable rates has been identified, budget implications for KFES have been reviewed, and volunteers to offer sessions for the two-day program are already coming forward. On motion made and seconded, KFES voted affirmatively to form a committee of volunteers, chaired by Lisa Mets, so that KFES may co-host KLENK in St. Petersburg, Florida, Friday-Saturday, January 6-7, 2012. The business meeting concluded with a report by Mr. Henn Rebane, charter KFES President, on the founding of the KFES. Mr. Rebane and his wife, Norma Jean, were charter members of KFES and the St. Petersburg International Folk Fair Society (SPIFFS) and, for decades, they served as the leadership of the Estonian community in the St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay region. KFES members applauded Mr. and Mrs. Rebane for their service and leadership. The meeting adjourned with dessert.
The members of KFES and our friends will gather next at a picnic on Saturday, June 25, 2011, on Anna Maria Island to celebrate Jaanipäev.
St. John’s Day Celebration
Jaanipäev
June 25, 2011
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Reserved Pavilion on Anna Maria Island
Participants should plan to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages (park rules) and, to share with others, an appetizer, salad or dessert to accompany hamburgers and hotdogs.
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
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- Erkki Taada, Jack Dudley (our host), Jaan Kuuskvere
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- Oivi Dudley, our host, and her mother-in-law Diane
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- KFES President Tõnu Toomepuu conducts the business meeting
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- KFES President Tõnu Toomepuu conducts the business meeting
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- KFES Charter President Henn Rebane reviews KFES history
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- Our Wonderful Smorgasbord
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- KFES Secretary Maare Kuuskvere and Treasurer Rein Raja
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- Eesti neiud: Kati Rausberg, Triin Karr, Marju Cabrera
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- Marju Cabrera, one of our newest members, with Rein Raja
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- Tiiu Kolts, our newest member, with Henn Rebane, KFES charter member
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- Robin Toomepuu and Norma Jean Rebane
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- Jüri Toomepuu, KFES Board Member Triin Karr
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- Eckerd College student Kati Rausberg with Leena and Väino Aare
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- Kati Rausberg, Howard Shipotofsky, KFES Vice President Monika Orumaa Craig, Ingrid Shipotofsky, and Jaan Kuuskvere
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- Robin Toomepuu and Erkki Taada
Florida Estos 
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