The Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) welcomes Estonians, Estonian-Americans, Estonians-living-anywhere-abroad and friends of Estonia as members and visitors. The purposes of the Estonian Society are to provide education about Estonia and Estonians, promote cultural exchange, and to provide opportunities for Estonians and friends of Estonia to gather and enjoy Estonian culture and traditions and to promote their continuity.
Members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida paid annual membership dues of $20.00 per adult until dues were suspended starting 2020-2021. The membership year runs from November to October; the annual business meeting takes place each November. The business meeting for the 2022-23 year of activities will be scheduled and announced at a later time.
The Board members, with ideas from the membership, plan each year’s activities. Until the pandemic struck starting March 2020, meetings over lunch, often with invited speakers, were generally held November, December, January, February, March, April, and October. Special events celebrated the December holidays with Jõuluvana (Santa Claus); Estonian soups, salads and sandwiches luncheon prepared by members according to traditional Estonian recipes in January; Estonian Independence Day (Eesti Vabariigi Aastapäev) in February; a smorgasbord potluck luncheon in March; and St. John’s Day (Jaanipäev) with an early picnic in late April. In light of the pandemic, the association suspended activities for the 2020-2021 association year. Plans for 2021-2022 were made based on the ever changing coronavirus context and guided by safety as a priority. Meeting and event planning are underway for 2022-2023 and information is sent by email.
The 2020-21 (Sept-Oct 2021) and 2021-2022 (Nov 2021-Oct 2022) Board members are as listed. Elections for Nov 2022-Oct 2023 will coincide with the association’s annual meeting to be scheduled and announced at a later date. In the meantime, these individuals continue in their positions:
President: Merit Laansalu Alvarez completed her term in 2022 and departed for work in Europe. This position is open.
Vice Presidents (2): Inne Joonsar and Moonika Mägi
Secretary: Triin Karr
Treasurer: Heikki Joonsar
Auditors: Jaan Kuuskvere, Erkki Taada and Tõnu Toomepuu
For more information about the Estonian Society of Central Florida, please contact Secretary Triin Karr by email to Triin.
The Former Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Central Florida: Many of the members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida and local Estonians were members of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Central Florida, which worshipped in St. Petersburg, more recently on Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday. Those services are no longer held; the congregation has retired. We mourn the deaths of our beloved pastor Rev. Priit Rebane and his wife Judy, who passed away in 2022.
Florida Estos 