On Saturday, December 11, 2021, 53 members and friends of the Kesk Florida Eesti Selts/Estonian Society of Central Florida, and 11 children aged from 10 months to 10 years, gathered at long last since 2019 at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Seminole, Florida, to celebrate the Christmas season with a festive traditional Estonian-style Christmas meal (including verivorst, pickled pumpkin and sült and kringel, piparkoogid and roosamanna) and an early appearance by Jõuluvana (Santa Claus) just for our good girls and boys (aged 10 months to 90+ years). Our guests drove from as far away as Brooksville, The Villages, Naples, Orlando and Cocoa Beach; as near as Tampa Bay; and Viivi, Mia and Elli flew in recently from Eesti. How happy we were to see each other again!
A little chaos before our group photo. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaA little more chaos before the group photo. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaOur group photo, Take 1. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaOur group photo, Take 2. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaOur children seem to organize themselves better for the group photo. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaElliott (and isa Aldo) Toomepuu, Nico Laansalu Alvarez, Brooke and Chloe Cabrera, Sophia and Simon Ziatyk, Mia and Elli Normet (and vanaema Astrid) Normet, Marmeelia and Karneelia Dishmey, and Nathan (with isa Heiki). Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaKesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaThe Toomepuu pere (Jüri, Aldo, Elliott and Jae Hee Toomepuu) and Tõnu Toomepuu. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaOur now Cocoa Beach liikmed–from across the state but still close in our hearts–Anneliis Kuusik and Rein Allikberg. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsSo happy to be together again! Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki Taada Our former KFES President Tõnu Toomepuu and current KFES Secretary Triin Karr.Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsEma Marju Dishmey with 2-year-old twins Marmeelia and Karneelia. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsMarju and Dallas Dishmey and twins Marmeelia and Karneelia with grandparents Astrit and Heinar Normet and Elli. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsJude Splendore, Myrtle Lange-Hall and Urve Põhi. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsHelen Tammela and David Clauch from Orlando. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsGrandmother Jae Hee Toomepuu with grandson Elliott and son Aldo Toomepuu. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsMalle Sibul, Astrit and Heinar Normet, and Anu Nerska Sheridan. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsVanaema Viivi, tütrepoeg Nathan, and Nathani ema ja isa Heidi ja Heiki. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsTõnu Toomepuu and Erkki Taada. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsAino and Ants Tomson. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsReet and Eric Cabrera with Mari Markus and Mike Campanale. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsLiis and Gedas Janusauskas. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsLivija and Peep Rebane. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsSimon Ziatyk, Vincent Delaidatti and Erkki Taada. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsInne Joonsar, Maare Kuuskvere and Birgit Delaidatti. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsEstonian Honorary Consul Kaie Põhi Latterner with Gloria Lepik Corrigan and Kevin Corrigan. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsSigning in at the front door, Märt and Ulve Nurmet, with Inne and Heikki Joonsar, and Erkki Taada. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa Mets
While we waited for all our guests to arrive, children were busy decorating piparkoogid at an activity table designed just for them. Merit Laansalu Alvarez guided the activities though it appeared the children were quite experienced already!
Elli and Mia Normet (from Eesti). Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaNico Laansalu Alvarez and Simon Ziatyk. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaBrooke and Chloe Cabrera. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaSophia Ziatyk. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaNico Laansalu Alvarez, Simon and Sophia Ziatyk, and Brooke and Chloe Cabrera. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaJude Splendore surveys the activities. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki Taada
Once we settled in, Vincent Delaidatti offered a blessing for our meal. Then hungry folks lined up to pass through our wonderful luncheon table.
Vincent Delaidatti offers the blessing for our meal. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki Taada
Helen Tammela and David Clauch. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki Taada
Liis and Gedas Janusauskas. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki Taada
Birgit and Vincent Delaidatti. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki Taada
Myrtle Lange-Hall, Jae Hee Toomepuu, Birgit and Vincent Delaidatti. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki Taada
Dallas Dishmey and Jae Hee Toomepuu. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki Taada
Erik Hernandez, Simon and Sophia Ziatyk, and Moonika Mägi. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki Taada
Anu Nerska Sheridan followed by Virve Kai and Joe Bulla. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa Mets
Livija and Peep Rebane followed by Jaan Kuuskvere and Malle and Eric Sibul. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa Mets
Verivorst at the start, artfully unveiled by Reet Cabrera! Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa Mets
Pickled pumpkin, Estonian hot mustard, and sült. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa Mets
A smorgasbord of desserts. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa Mets
Kringel and piparkoogid! Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa Mets
A traditional centerpiece of fresh pine and our songsheet. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa Mets
Our program began once the meal concluded. Kaie Põhi Latterner, our very talented resident musician and Honorary Consul of Estonia, accompanied our musical program. We sang to well known tunes with familiar lyrics whether our songs were in Estonian, English and Spanish. We even paused to sing Nad Elagu! (Estonian Happy Birthday!) to Urve Põhi (who celebrated her 90th birthday in August) and our December birthday celebrants Heikki Joonsar, Heidi and Nico Laansalu Alvarez.
Kaie Põhi Latterner, our incomparable musical director. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsEric Hernandez, Eric Cabrera and Dallas Dishmey lead us in Feliz Navidad. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsOur birthday celebrants include Urve Põhi, Heikki Joonsar, Heidi, and Nico Laansalu Alvarez (with ema Merit). Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki Taada
Our children waited patiently for Jõuluvana to arrive and at long last his knocks were heard at the door. Oh my! What joy!
Waiting patiently for Jõuluvana… Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki Taada…patiently….Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki Taada…and even more patiently…Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaTõnu Toomepuu welcomes Jõuluvana! Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsNico Laansalu Alvarez points the way to Jõuluvana’s seat. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa Mets…with eager anticipation…Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaBut first, tädi Kaie has to confirm for Jõuluvana everyone has been nice (and not naughty)! Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaElliott Toomepuu and Simon Ziatyk wonder just what Jõuluvana has in his big bag! Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaElliott Toomepuu has his moment with Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaJõuluvana thought Elliott Toomepuu was a very good boy! He is juggling his gifts! Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsJõuluvana brought just the right gift for Elliott (and his father Aldo) Toomepuu Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaSimon Ziatyk melts Santa’s heart. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaSophia Ziatyk. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaBrooke Cabrera. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaChloe Cabrera, supported by sister Brooke, plays for Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaChloe Cabrera nestles with Jõuluvana. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaNico Laansalu Alvarez. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaTwins Marmeelia and Karneelia Dishmey with ema Marju greet Jõuluvana. Brooke and ema Reet Cabrera and Rein Allikberg get in the scene too. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaMia Normet, all the way from Estonia. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa MetsMia Normet. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaLisa Mets takes Jõuluvana by surprise, planting a kiss on his cheek in exchange for her gift. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaJõuluvana waves goodbye! Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa Mets
Once Santa departed, KFES Vice President Moonika Mägi invited us to reflect on the Christmases of our childhood. We had three generations of Estonians and Estonian Americans in the room and what a treat it was to remember bringing in the freshly cut Christmas tree on Christmas Eve and adorning it with candles lit in the dark. We closed our program singing Püha Öö (Silent Night).
Moonika Mägi (eyes closed) remembers Christmases past. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaMoonika Mägi, Birgit Delaidatti and Anneliis Kuusik lead us in Püha Öö. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Erkki TaadaMoonika Mägi, Birgit Delaidatti and Anneliis Kuusik, with Kaie Põhi Latterner, lead us in Püha Öö to close our program. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Jõuluüritus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Christmas Celebration. Seminole, FL. December 11, 2021. Photo: Lisa Mets
Our thanks go to our new KFES Juhatus-Estonian Society of Central Florida Board (Merit Laansalu Alvarez, Moonika Mägi, Inne Joonsar, Triin Karr and Heikki Joonsar). We also thank our members and friends who enhanced our meal, our program and our clean-up through their participation.
The members of the 2021-2022 KFES Juhatus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Board thank you for participating in the survey we emailed in October to collect your contact information and ideas for activities. If you have not yet done so, we invite you to visit this link to our survey so we may be sure we have your up-to-date contact information and ideas too: https://forms.gle/GjP9VJmdR6HAc5US9. We value you and your participation.
We look forward to seeing you at upcoming events in the New Year. Please stay tuned to your email and this website for information as it becomes available.
In the meantime, we wish you all rõõmsaid jõulu pühi ja head uut aastat! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Florida Estos 