Before the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES)) breaks on summer hiatus, members and friends of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) gather for its traditional early Jaanipäev picnic and celebration of April birthdays. This year over 25 members enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together on Saturday, April 22, 2017.
Our birthday celebration. KFES, 22 apr. 2017, Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa Mets
This year, the celebration was extra special with eight birthdays. Both born on April 18–only 94 years apart–we celebrated Leena Aare (94) and Brook Cabrera (1).
Reet Cabrera with our two special birthday girls born on April 18: Brook Cabrera (1) and Leena Aare (95). KFES, 22 apr. 2017, Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa Mets
We also celebrated the April birthdays of Maare and Jaan Kuuskvere (shhh! Jaan is one year older than Maare!), Monika Orumaa Craig, Rein Männik, Silva Jensen, and Triin Karr.
Our birthday celebrants–Maare Kuuskvere, Leena Aare, Rein Männik in the back, Brook Cabrera with mother Reet, Monika Orumaa Craig, and Jaan Kuuskvere. blow out the candles. KFES, 22 apr. 2017, Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa Mets
We moved the picnic from Anna Maria Island and returned to the condominium clubhouse and recreation center at the winter home of Inne and Heikki Joonsar. Thank you, Inne and Heikki, for hosting us once again. (We celebrated our soup-and-sandwich luncheon there earlier this year.) The recreational center includes shuffleboard courts and a swimming pool. Though there were no swimmers this day, we enjoyed a few games of shuffleboard. What fun!
KFES provided grilled sausages (an Estonian Jaanipäev tradition). Kaie Põhi Latterner was quite the grillmaster/grillmistress.
Kaie Põhi Latterner keeps the grill under control. KFES, 22 apr. 2017, Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa Mets
Members brought mightily delicious contributions to the potluck luncheon table, and we thank brothers Tõnu and Jüri Toomepuu for the celebratory champagne!
Anu Nerska and Goodie and Rein Männik. KFES, 22 apr. 2017, Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa Mets
It was a great afternoon! Ja klassid kokku kõlaku!
The Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) is now on summer hiatus. Some snowbirds fly north and others fly to Estonia and beyond. We will reconvene in October 2017. In the meantime, if you are in our area, please let us hear from you. Some of us are here year round and we love to get together spontaneously. We wish you all a happy summer!
Florida Estos 
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