On Sunday, January 21, 2024, we woke to the coldest temperatures in west central Florida so far this winter: 37+/- degrees F. It was only fitting that 30 members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) gathered for their annual soup and sandwich luncheon (supp ja võileiva lõunasöök), which also happened to be the day after National Soup Swap Day in the United States.
(Pictured left to right) Lisa Mets, Lia Milli, Ulve Nurmet, Reet Regina Cabrera, Moonika Mägi, Livija and Peep Rebane, Heikki and Inne Joonsar, kneeling Vincent Delaidatti with Birgit Delaidatti, Ludmila Stelmokene with Hannes Jakobson, Rein Allikberg with Anneliis Kuusik, and Sirje Kiin with Jack Walters. Märt Ulve is hiding in back. Missing from this photo but joining us too this afternoon: Aleksandra Kroon, Thomas and Ronit Soracco, Uno and Luule Tiisler, and the Jüri Toomepuu family. Foto by Erkki Taada
Arriving members were welcomed at the door and asked to sign the guest book. Once we were all in place, our wonderful hosts–KFES Treasurer and Acting President Heikki Joonsar and Vice President Inne Joonsar–greeted us all and outlined the afternoon’s program. Thank you to Heikki and Inne for hosting us in the wonderful community center in their residential neighborhood. What a perfect location for us!
Once again our members delivered a wonderful smorgasbord of what we consider representative traditional Estonian luncheon delights. Cabbage soup and pea soup and a new Spanish bean soup in addition. Sandwiches included kilu, ham, herring and salmon. Accompanying the soup were two homemade loaves of bread–oatmeal bread with chia seeds and rye bread–from Jae Toomepuu’s kitchen. Our talented bakers contributed delightful desserts.
Anneliis Kuusik, Reet Regina Cabrera, and Livija and Peep Rebane head the lunch line. Lia Milli looks on. KFES Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A MetsLivija and Peep Rebane. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A MetsYummy cabbage roll soup, herne supp, and a Spanish bean soup. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A MetsVincent DeLaidatti spoons up the Spanish bean soup. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A Mets
Our KFES Board planned an engaging program for us this afternoon. Peep Rebane, dressed in his academic PhD regalia and looking quite serious, delivered what quickly turned out to be a humorous presentation of a lecture titled Eesti Rahva Rändamisi, which introduced us to ancient Estonian migratory influences across the African, Asian and European continents. The photos show how much we enjoyed Peep’s presentation.
Peep Rebane presents a humorous lecture on Estonian migratory influences in ancient times. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Erkki TaadaThe audience enjoys Peep’s lecture. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Erkki TaadaA rousing round of applause for Peep Rebane. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Erkki Taada
Our seating and our numbers provided the perfect setting for an engaging group conversation following Peep’s presentation. Heikki Joonsar invited members to share experiences speaking, learning and teaching Estonian, English and other languages. How the Estonian language has evolved since our members were children in the 1940s and once Estonia regained its independence in 1991! Here are photos of some of the members who contributed to the conversation.
Jüri Toomepuu adds remarks to the conversation. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A MetsVincent DeLaidatti shares some of his Estonian language experiences. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A MetsLivija Rebane describes her experiences with language in Thailand. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A MetsSirje Kiin shares her knowledge with the group. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A Mets
After the formal program, members had plenty of time to mingle and mix and enjoy each other’s company. Enjoy these photos of our members!
Welcome to co-host Birgit DeLaidatti, KFES Vice President Inne Joonsar, Thomas Soracco (Ronit Soracco is missing from this photo), Vincent DeLaidatti, Rein Allikberg (Anneliis Kuusik is missing from this photo), Hannes Jakobson and Ludmila Stelmokene. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A MetsWelcome to KFES Treasurer and Acting President Heikki Joonsar, Moonike Mägi, Reet Regina Cabrera, Livija Rebane (Peep Rebane is missing from this photo), and Ulve and Märt Nurmet. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A MetsWelcome to the Jüri Toomepuu family. Liam, Brennon, Elliot, and Aldo with Jüri and Jae Toomepuu. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A MetsReet Regina Cabrera, Merike Milli, Moonika Mägi and Lia Milli. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A MetsLisa A. Mets with Hannes Jakobson and Ludmila Stelmokene. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Rein AllikbergLia Milli and Alexandra Kroon. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A MetsToday’s Canadian contingent: Erkki Taada with Elora residents Uno and Luule Tiisler. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök. 21.jaan.2024. Seminole, FL. Foto: Lisa A Mets
PLEASE SAVE THIS DATE: THE ESTONIAN SOCIETY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA/KESK FLORIDA EESTI SELTS (KFES) WILL CELEBRATE THE 106TH ANNIVERSARY OF ESTONIAN INDEPENDENCE [EVA 106] ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2024, FROM 12:00 TO 4:00 PM, AT OUR FAMILIAR LOCATION: FEATHER SOUND COUNTRY CLUB, CLEARWATER, FLORIDA. RESERVATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED. PLEASE STAY TUNED TO YOUR EMAIL, THIS WEBSITE, AND THE “KESK FLORIDA EESTLASED” FACEBOOK PAGE FOR INFORMATION. TO JOIN OUR EMAIL GROUP, WRITE TO HEIKKI JOONSAR AT KFES1918@YAHOO.COM.
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