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 pay annual membership dues of $20.00 per adult. The membership year runs from November to October; the annual business meeting takes place each November (October 2017). Meetings over lunch, often with invited speakers, are generally held November, December, January, February, March, April, and October. Special events celebrate 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 (March 2018); a smorgasbord potluck luncheon in March; and St. John’s Day (Jaanipäev) with an early picnic in late April. As indicated by the months in parentheses, this calendar is slightly modified for the 2017-18 year as we celebrate EV 100 (Eesti Vabariik 100)!
Members may send their annual dues by check payable to “Estonian Society of Central Florida” to Ms. Anneliis Kuusik, 7069 Key Haven Rd., #505, Seminole, FL 33777.
The 2017-2018 Board members are:
President: Kersti K.Totsas-Linask kklinask@gmail.com
Vice President and Webmaster: Lisa A. Mets
Secretary: Triin Karr Triin.Karr@gmail.com
Treasurer: Anneliis Kuusik, 7069 Key Haven Rd., #505, Seminole, FL 33777; cell phone: (860) 810-3469; email: Kuusika09@aol.com.
Membership Coordinator: Marju Susi Dishmey
Member-at-Large: Maare Kuuskvere
Auditors: Jaan Kuuskvere, Erkki Taada and Tõnu Toomepuu
For more information about the Estonian Society of Central Florida, please contact Ms. Kersti K. Totsas-Linask at kklinask@gmail.com or Ms. Triin Karr at Triin.Karr@gmail.com
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 will no longer be held; the congregation has retired. For pastoral counseling, please contact Pastor Priit Rebane at priit@rebane.com.
