Florida Estos

Information about KFES events and photos may be found on our Facebook page. The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts has a wonderful Facebook account. You may find the account by searching this name: Kesk Florida Eestlased. To enhance security features for our Facebook account members, Kesk Florida Eestlased is a private account that asks you to click on a link to join. The account is managed by KFES member Birgit Delaidatti, and she will respond to requests from prospective followers. Thank you, Birgit, for this wonderful service to Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts members!

Dear Members and Friends of Kesk Florida Eesti Selts/Estonian Society of Central Florida!

Season’s greetings!

We will gather for our traditional Christmas luncheon:

Sunday, December 3, 2023

12:00-4:00 pm (Volunteers are welcome to arrive at 11:00 am to help us set up and decorate and to remain after 4:00 to help us clean up.)

Clubhouse at Harbour Crest 400

13940 Anona Heights Drive

Largo, FL 33774

Parking is available across the street in the school parking lot. Thank you to Birgit and Vincent Delaidatti for making this space available to us!

The main course (pulled pork, mashed potatoes and gravy) are catered. Verivorst and cranberry relish are homemade.

Please plan to bring something for our smorgasbord table too: appetizers, salads, side dishes, and desserts are most welcome! When you make your reservation, please mention what you will be bringing. You are welcome to bring your own adult beverages; non-alcoholic options will be provided.

By Wednesday, November 29, 2023, please send an email to Heikki and Inne Joonsar innelj23@gmail.com to let them know you are coming so they may place an accurate catering order. Please include (1) the names of your guests and your children and their ages, and (2) what you will be bringing for the smorgasbord table.

The cost to participate:

$20 per adult and children over the age of 12

$5 for children twelve and under

Jõuluvana will be visiting us! The FAA has agreed to clear Jõuluvana for a direct flight from the North Pole to Largo!

Parents are invited to bring wrapped presents with clearly marked name tags for their children so Jõuluvana may begin Christmas deliveries at our party. Activities for children are welcome too!

We are looking forward to celebrating the start of the holiday season with you!

Heikki and Inne Joonsar

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The Detroit Estonian Educational Society “Kodu”/Detroidi Eesti Haridusselts “Kodu” (DEHS Kodu) invited Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts member Lisa A. Mets to join them for their November 11, 2023, luncheon in the Latvian Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Founded on October 17, 1926, DEHS Kodu is one of the oldest active Estonian associations in the United States. A former Ann Arbor resident and participant at DEHS Kodu gatherings, it was a treat to be back among old and new friends again. It was a special treat to see Harry Kansman in attendance; his parents were among the “Kodu” founders in 1926!

The gathering this day at just under 20 participants was small but enthusiastic. Attendees were invited to dress in Halloween and Mardipäev costumes. The top prizes were awarded to Linda Einpaul and Ingrid Peil, two dedicated DEHS Kodu Board members. In addition to the delicious smorgasbord lunch, a highlight of the afternoon was the DEHS Kodu program. Krista Pärdi offered an informative lecture on the evolution of Estonian academic societies. Aksel Peil offered insight into Estonian traditions on Mardipäev. The afternoon concluded with a group photograph, taken outside on an uncharacteristically and mercifully warm November afternoon in Michigan.

DEHS Kodu invites friends of Estonia to visit with them when they are in the Detroit area. You may find their information on their website, https://www.detroitestonians.com/, which also includes a link to their Facebook page. We congratulate DEHS “Kodu” on the recent announcement that their website has been selected by the US Library of Congress for inclusion in the Voices: Eastern and Central European Americans Web Archive! Bravo! Palju õnne!

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As is its tradition each November, the Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) launched its new year of activities at its annual meeting this time from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. More than 45 KFES members and friends attended the luncheon program and annual meeting. We were especially delighted to be joined by nearly 15 new guests.

The centerpiece of this annual meeting was a presentation by Heikki Joonsar, KFES Treasurer and now additionally acting president, and his wife Inne Joonsar, KFES Vice President. While on a 2023 summer trip to Estonia, Heikki and Inne visited the Arvo Pärt Keskus. Heikki noted they were especially taken by the path from the parking lot to the Keskus (Centre). The path, lined with pine trees and fields of wild blueberries, was long; it was designed to encourage contemplation and the Joonsars were so inspired. To share that inspiration with KFES members this day, Heikki presented a video narrated by Arvo Pärt’s son, Michael. What a wonderful addition to the day’s program! Thank you, Heikki and Inne!

Additional photos may be found on our Facebook page. The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts has a wonderful Facebook account. You may find the account by searching this name: Kesk Florida Eestlased. To enhance security features for our Facebook account members, Kesk Florida Eestlased is a private account that asks you to click on a link to join. The account is managed by KFES member Birgit Delaidatti, and she will respond to requests from prospective followers. Thank you, Birgit, for this wonderful service to Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts members!

The Estonian Society of Central Florida Board/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Juhatus are planning the organization’s year of activities. These events are on the horizon: (1) Our traditional Estonian holiday lunch with Jõuluvana (Santa) on Sunday, December 3, 2023; (2) our traditional Estonian Soup and Sandwich Lunch (Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök) in January 2024; and (3) our celebration of the 106th Anniversary of Estonian Independence/Eesti Vabariigi Aastapäev 106 in February 2024. Details about those events and others through April 2024 will be forthcoming. Please stay tuned to your email, Facebook (Kesk Florida Eestlased), and this website for more information. To join the KFES email list, please write Heikki Joonsar at kfes1918@yahoo.com.

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