Florida Estos

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

It’s never too early to offer season’s greetings! Season’s greetings to you all!

We will gather for our traditional Christmas luncheon:

Sunday, December 15, 2024

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.)

We will gather at our familiar location: Birgit and Vincent DeLaidatti’s community clubhouse

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 for making all 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, December 3 10, 2024, please send an email to Heikki and Inne Joonsar at kfes1918@yahoo.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

You may pay:

(1) with cash or check at the door

(2) in advance through ZELLE  (KFES1918@yahoo.com) to the KFES account, or

(3) in advance by mailing a check made out to KFES and addressed to Heikki Joonsar, 14032 89th Ave, Seminole, FL. 33776.

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 holiday season with you!

Heikki and Inne Joonsar

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Only the fellowship of friends and families can lift one’s spirits on the heels of Hurricanes Helene and Milton that struck our area in September and October. And so it was on this clear blue sky sunny day in Seminole, Florida. The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts welcomed back 45 members and friends to launch the 2024-2025 year of activities. Walsingham Park Shelter #3 provided the perfect setting for our potluck picnic (KFES provided delicious French dip and pulled pork sandwiches purchased through one of our favorite “go to” places, Pete and Shorty’s). We were delighted Hannes Jacobson and Ludmila Stelmokene brought their two friends and Taivo and Anneliis Hurt brought their two friends. Friends and guests are always welcome!

Many thanks to our leadership–Heikki and Inne Joonsar–for launching this new year of activities. Huge thanks to individuals who volunteer invisibly and tirelessly in the background: Anneliis Kuusik and Rein Allikberg, Birgit and Vincent DeLaidatti, Virve Kai Bulla, and Estonian Honorary Consul Kaie Põhi Latterner. It goes without saying: Thank you to all the members who contribute delicious side dishes and desserts to our always scrumptious potluck table! Special thanks to Sophia Abolfathi for rosolje and Anne Holda for kringel–two traditional Estonian favorites! What makes KFES so special is the community we have built and share!

Just prior to lunch Heikki Joonsar offered welcoming remarks. Vincent DeLaidatti blessed our gathering and the meal. Estonian Honorary Consul Kaie Põhi Latterner offered words of remembrance to those we have lost. This year, KFES mourns the passing of two significant figures in our history. Jaan Kuuskvere, who passed away in May, was always an active KFES member nearly 30 years and never hesitated to take on a leadership role. Over the years, Jaan served as our association’s president, annual meeting convener, and financial auditor. Geraldine Raja, beloved wife of KFES longtime treasurer Rein Raja, passed away early this November. Geri, as she was known among us, wore her Estonian dress proudly as she supported all the association’s activities–including those in the St. Petersburg International Folk Festival Society–and adorned formal Estonian Independence Day gatherings for more than 30 years. As we mourned the losses of others we have lost in our lives, we hope our shared grief brings comfort to those who grieve deeply at this time.

KFES hosted a special guest today. She introduces herself as follows:

My name is Sophia Abolfathi and I am a filmmaker, writer, and intern with the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. I am also a student at the University of Florida and based out of Gainesville, FL. I’m working on a story about Estonian experiences in Florida and the United States. The final article and short film would be published in Smithsonian Folklife Magazine in early 2025.

There are two components to this project:

Part I. Oral Histories of Migration circa 1944: We are interested in expanding the archive of oral histories of personal and family migration from Estonia to the United States during the 1944 Great Escape. There is a particular interest in collecting stories that involve boat travel. Primary accounts are preferred but children or grandchildren of immigrants are welcomed. This is the focus of the short film, so we may travel to interview with you on camera.

Part II. Interviews on Modern Perspectives: The second component of this story is interested in Estonians who have chosen to either move to the U.S. recently (after 1990) or remain in the U.S. after their parents’ migration (after 1944). There is an interest in why Estonians choose homes outside of Estonia; why they seek out communities with other Estonians; and how Estonian culture is being preserved in future generations. This is the focus of the article, so people who are uncomfortable being on camera are not required to be.

Sophia, whose mother is Estonian, mingled easily with our guests. It was a special treat to see Sophia in action taking notes as she goes about her research. She didn’t miss this opportunity to begin an interview with our KFES grande dame Urve Põhi. Sophia looks forward to hearing more stories from the members of the Estonian community spread throughout Florida. She can be reached through this site sophiaabolfathi.com.

SAVE THE DATES

Kesk Florida Eesti Selts will celebrate Christmas with Jõuluvana, verivorst and our traditional potluck dinner on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Details will follow in email.

We also plan to hold our traditional Supp ja Võileiv luncheon in January. Details will follow later.

The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts will celebrate the 107th Anniversary of Estonian Independence on Sunday, February 16, 2025. Information and details will follow as the date approaches.

Information about KFES events and photos may be found on this website, floridaestos.blog, and our Facebook page, Kesk Florida Eestlased https://facebook.com/groups/2497393393890607/ . 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! To join our email list, please send an email to Heikki Joonsar, KFES Treasurer and Acting President, at kfes1918@yahoo.com.

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