Florida Estos

Nineteen members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) eagerly gathered together for lunch after our summer hiatus on Sunday, October 1, 2017. We took this October opportunity to hold our annual business meeting normally held in November. We met in the usual lovely private room in one of our favorite restaurants: Pier 22, 1200 1st Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205. We missed our former members, the Shipotofkys and Jaskas, who have moved away from the area. We also missed our members who have not yet returned from their summer venues, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Jaan Kuuskvere was elected to run the annual business meeting. KFES President Kersti Linask provided reports from the KFES Board. Members of the Audit Committee provided a positive report confirming the accuracy of the KFES finances and financial reporting. KFES members approved the minutes of last year’s business meeting, the 2016-17 budget, and the budget for 2017-18. The Treasurer, Anneliis Kuusik, unable to join us today, was applauded in her absence for her exacting work managing KFES finances. All current Board members were re-elected to serve as the KFES Board in 2017-18.

Because there is cross-membership in KFES and the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Central Florida, Pastor Priit Rebane gave the members an update on the status of the tiny congregation, which will no longer be holding services on Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday. Pastor Rebane will continue to be available for pastoral counseling.

Priit and Judy Rebane. Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts, Annual Meeting, 1 oktoober 2017, Bradenton, FL.

We have lots of exciting events coming in 2017-18. In addition to providing a preview of what’s coming in 2017-18, KFES President Linask provided exciting overviews of (1) the upcoming meeting and program of the Estonian American National Council (ERKÜ), which will be meeting November 10-12, 2017, in St. Petersburg, Florida, and we are invited to participate; and (2) our celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Estonian Independence, which will take place on March 10, 2018, in the Feather Sound Country Club (a new location this year). We invite you to add these events to your calendar now:

November 11, 2017: We will join the Estonian American National Council (Eesti Rahvuskomitee Ühendrikkides), which will be convening a special program in St. Petersburg (FL). Visit this website for more information: Estonian American National Council (ERKÜ). Please note: October 15, 2017 is the deadline for pre-registration and reservations.
December 9, 2017, 2:00 pm: Santa Claus/Jõuluvana will join us for a traditional Estonian holiday dinner with jõuluvorstid.
January 7, 2018, 2:00 pm: Estonian Soup and Sandwich Potluck Luncheon/Eesti supp ja võileiv lõunasöök
February 11, 2018, 2:00 pm: Lunch
March 10, 2018, 11:00 am: Gala Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Estonian Independence/Eesti Vabariigi 100 Aastapäeva Tähistamine
April 14, 2018, 12:00 pm: Our traditional April birthdays and Jaanipäeva potluck picnic

For information about the Kesk Florida Eesti Selts, please contact:
Ms. Kersti Linask by email at kklinask@gmail.com
or
Ms. Triin Karr by email at triin.karr@gmail.com