Jõuluvana (Santa) or verivorst (Christmas sausage)? What were our members’ priorities for this year’s holiday celebration? This year, both Jõuluvana (Santa) and verivorst (Christmas sausage) returned to the Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts for our annual Christmas celebration.
Nearly 40 members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) gathered together for our Christmas celebration at 2:00 pm on Sunday, December 11, 2016, in a new location: the Fellowship Hall at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 10891 102nd Avenue North, Seminole, FL 33778.
Kersti Linask, President of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) welcomed everyone to our annual Christmas celebration and offered a poetry reading. Pastor Priit Rebane offered words of Christmas inspiration and a blessing for our meal.
Have you been good this year? Jõuluvana (Santa) knows who’s been naughty and nice! Jõuluvana and his very musically talented Päkapikk (Elf) led us in merriment. Some members came prepared with songs, poems and other entertainment to earn their gifts.
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- Päkapikk ja Jõuluvana are happy to see each other again in Florida. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Päkapikk ja Jõuluvana lead the group in Christman songs. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Chloe is excited to welcome Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Chloe introduces baby sister Brooke to Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Chloe sings for Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Chloe holds a special place in Jõuluvana’s heart. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Now it’s Brooke’s turn, with mother Reet Regina, to recite a poem for Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Logan and Annika with mother Triin sing for Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Logan receives a special gift from Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Brave Annika leads a song for Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Annika receives her gift from Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Jaan Kuuskvere and Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Jaan Kuuskvere leads an Estonian Christmas carol for Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Rein Raja recites his poem for Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
Kaie Põhi Latterner and Anneliis Kuusik in Kaie’s home and Maare Kuuskvere (assisted by Erkki Taada and Lisa Mets) in her home prepared the verivorst for this wonderful meal.
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- Päkapikk (Kaie Põhi Latterner) and Anneliis Kuusik prepared verivorst for our holiday dinner. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõulupidu, 11. dets. 2016. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Erkki Taada assisted Maare Kuuskvere in the verivorst making process. 2. dets. 2016. Bradenton, FL. Foto: Lisa A. Mets
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- Lisa Mets assists Maare Kuuskvere in the verivorst making process. 2. dets. 2016. Bradeton, FL. Foto: Erkki Taada
The meal was catered by the German Bistro of Largo (FL) and included a full array of roast pork, traditional sausages, mashed potatoes, spaetzle, potato salad, red cabbage, and sauerkraut (thanks to Anneliis Kuusik). Dessert included cake and Anneliis Kuusik’s delicious homemade piparkoogid.
Please join us as we worship together on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2016, at 2:00 pm in Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 Fifth Street North, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701 Phone: 727-822-3307. The service, with Estonian hymns and English sermon, will be led by Pastor Priit Rebane. A brief period of fellowship over refreshments follows the service.
Please visit our Events Calendar or Monthly Meetings for events in 2017.
In the meantime we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and joyous New Year!
Rõõmsaid Jõulu Pühi ja Head Uut Aastat!
Florida Estos 
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