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Archive for May, 2012

With a bachelor’s degree in hand and Kati’s Eckerd College women’s basketball records in the athletic department’s history book, Kati Rausberg says good-bye to her basketball coach, Paul Honsinger, and to her good friends, local Estonians Erkki Taada and Lisa Mets (not pictured).

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The last monthly luncheon and meeting of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) before the summer break was held Sunday, May 6, 2012, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge.

Our featured speaker was Ms. Kati Rausberg (Tallinnast), an international business and management major and member of the women’s basketball team at Eckerd College. Kati, who is graduating from Eckerd College on May 20, 2012, will be leaving us to return to Estonia. Kati, who has been participating in Estonian Society of Central Florida (KFES) activities these past two years, described how she made her way to Eckerd College and St. Petersburg. Playing basketball “her whole life,” Kati has always been interested in pursuing a professional basketball career. She knows too, though, the value of a college education. At Eckerd College, Kati found a way to play basketball — where she broke school 3-point shot percentage and scoring records — and earn her bachelor’s degree in international business and management. When Kati returns to Estonia this summer, she will be playing in the European championships. She also hopes to secure an agent and begin her professional basketball career. Asked about her long-term plans, Kati leaves the door open to return to the United States to earn a master’s degree. In closing, Kati thanked members for welcoming into our Estonian community her and her family members and friends who visited her here. We all made Kati feel like she was a member of our family. Members celebrated Kati with a graduation cupcake cake and delivered a personalized graduation card to her at the conclusion of the meeting. We will miss Kati and wish her well. Kati hopes members visiting Estonia will look her up so she may welcome us there in return for our kindnesses here.

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Although the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) is not scheduled to meet again until October 7, 2012, stay tuned to informal activities that will be taking place in the summer season. Those of us weathering the summer in the Tampa Bay region will likely gather to celebrate Jaanipäev in mid-June. We will send notice by email when we pull together our plans. If you would like to participate in planning our Jaanipäev celebration, please “Leave a comment” on this blog.

Ms. Silva Jensen, who recently received a copy of the film The Great Waltz starring Miliza Korjus, one of Estonia’s most famous operatic singers, invites members to join her for a screening on Sunday, July 15, 2012. If you are interested in attending, please send Silva an email at sjensen5@verizon.net.

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This slide show of fabulous photos of the KFES April 21, 2012 picnic is thanks to Maare Kuuskvere. Enjoy!

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More than 30 energetic members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) gathered for a spring “birthday” picnic at Anna Maria Island on Saturday, April 21, 2012.

The Society’s members decided to relent to Florida’s blazing hot summer, made to feel even hotter by our high humidity levels, and voted to substitute an April picnic at the beach for the Society’s traditional Jaanipäeva celebration in June. Since many of the Society’s members head to cooler places in June — many, in fact, to Estonia — the April picinic gives more members an opportunity to gather before they scatter for the summer. Moreover, April provides a wonderful occasion to celebrate these members’ birthdays: Leena Aare (her 90th!), Silva Jensen, Monika Orumaa Craig, and Jaan and Maare Kuuskvere.

Our grillmasters served fabulous hamburgers, cheeseburgers and sausages. The luncheon was made even more tantalizing with contributions from participants — including three different kinds of pirukad! The singing of “Nad elagu!” and a birthday cake topped off the luncheon.

The wonderful photographs in the slide show were taken by KFES member Dick Ashley. Thank you, Dick!

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