Florida Estos

Happy New Year! Head uut aastat! Nearly forty members and friends of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) gathered for their annual Soup and Sandwich Lunch (supi ja võileiva lõunasöök) on a cool rainy day on Sunday, January 19, 2025, in the familiar clubhouse in the Seminole (FL) community where Heikki and Inne Joonsar live. Thank you Inne and Heikki for organizing and hosting this event! And thank you to all the members who made contributions following their favorite Estonian recipes and traditions. The hot soups were most welcome today! They brought back a taste of our Eesti home and nourished our souls.

A most enthusiastic thank-you to all the members who assisted with set-up and clean-up. As usual yeoman’s work was contributed by Anneliis and Rein Allikberg, Virve Kai Bulla, Moonika Mägi, Birgit DeLaidatti and Heikki and Inne Joonsar. In the future, if possible, please arrive a little early to help Anneliis, Rein, Virve Kai, Moonika, Birgit, and Heikki and Inne Joonsar with set-up too. That is where the heavy lifting is done. We all seem to be enthusiastic cleaner uppers and we appreciate everyone’s help at the end! As we all enjoy, this is an active community and we welcome everyone’s participation from start to end.

Inne Joonsar, KFES vice president, welcomed guests at the door. She was ably assisted by her granddaughter Eve visiting from Georgia. Heikki Joonsar, treasurer and acting president, hosted our program. Vincent DeLaidatti offered the blessing for our meal and gathering. Heikki led a modest program after lunch. Song sheets were distributed and we shared a few songs together. It seemed we were all so happy to be together in the new year our conversation flowed easily without programming. We were delighted to welcome three new friends: Raul Hammer of Tampa and Toomas and Riina Sõrra, who happened to be visiting from the northeast. Thank you for joining us today!

PLEASE SAVE THIS DATE: The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts is planning to celebrate the 107th Anniversary of Estonian Independence/EVA 107 on Sunday, February 16, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Feather Sound Country Club, 2201 Feather Sound Drive, Clearwater, FL 33762. Information about the cost and making reservations will be sent soon. Advance reservations will be required so meal orders may be placed with Feather Sound Country Club prior to the event. Volunteers are welcome to assist with set-up starting at 11:00 am. Please stay tuned to email, this website, and our Facebook page.

Please enjoy these photos from our event. 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.