Florida Estos

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.