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.

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

Please plan to join us as we gather for our traditional and popular Estonian Soup and Sandwich Luncheon!

Sunday, January 19, 2025

12:00-4:00 pm

Volunteers are welcome to arrive at 11:00 am to help us set up and to remain after 4:00 to help us clean up!

WE ARE RETURNING TO THE COMMUNITY CLUB HOUSE AND RECREATIONAL CENTER AT THE WINTER HOME OF INNE AND HEIKKI JOONSAR. We have celebrated our soup-and-sandwich luncheon and other events there in the past.

TAMARAC BY-THE-GULF, INC.
9099 141st St.
Seminole. FL 33776

Tamarac By-the-Gulf is a community of 380 individual homes all painted white with white tile roofs. The best way to enter is at the TRAFFIC LIGHT on 86th Ave. N. and Oakhurst Rd. (137th St.) where there is NO sign. Then turn right onto 140th Way. Continue until you make a slight left onto 141st St. where parking and the club house are visible. Parking is available on both sides of the club house. The entrance at the TAMARAC sign off Oakhurst & 94th Place can be easily missed because it is hidden by a curve. A GPS can usually get you there.

This location is 5 minutes from the beaches if one continues west on Park Blvd. (694). Some of you may want to continue to the beaches to finish the afternoon and enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Please plan to bring a contribution to the potluck luncheon table, e.g., salads, sandwiches, side dishes, soup, and desserts. Traditional Estonian dishes are encouraged! If you are bringing a hot dish, please plan to bring it in your own crock pot or other warming appliance. The kitchen may be available for keeping dishes warm, but no cooking is permitted. Please bring your own beverages. Please note: This clubhouse, as a rental, does not permit alcoholic beverages to be served. Soft drinks, coffee and water will be provided.

Cost  is $10.00  per person, children are free. You can pay (1) with cash or check at the door, (2) via ZELLE  (KFES1918@yahoo.com) to the KFES bank account, or (3) check made out to KFES and mailed to Heikki Joonsar, 14932 89th AVE Seminole, FL. 33776. 

By Monday, January 13, 2025, to help us plan for the right number of people, please send an email to KFES Treasurer Heikki Joonsar and let him know who is coming with you (please include children’s names and ages too) and what you will be contributing to the potluck luncheon just in case we need to make some adjustments in the menu. Please email Heikki at kfes1918@yahoo.com.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Inne and Heikki Joonsar

PS 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 in the new year; 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. More information is forthcoming in the new year. Please stay tuned to email, this website, and our Facebook page.

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.

Note: Groups of multiple photos below the opening group shot in this report are arranged in galleries. In the first gallery of photos, double click on the first photo to launch the carousel of photos. Starting with the second gallery of photos, please double click on the last photo to open the gallery in each section so you may scroll through the photos in groups.

Häid pühi! Season’s greetings! What another glorious blue sky sunny day–Sunday, December 15, 2024–for the annual jõulupidu (Christmas party) of the Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) (Estonian Society of Central Florida) at the clubhouse in Birgit and Vincent DeLaidatti’s residential community in Largo, Florida! Sixty (60!) members and friends (including 8 children) gathered for our traditional Estonian Christmas meal, engaging conversation, the singing of holiday carols, and an early visit by jõuluvana just for our good girls and boys! Of course, all of our girls and boys were good this year!

Our KFES vice president, Inne Joonsar, welcomed friends and guests as they arrived. We especially were delighted to welcome first-timers to this event too: Diana Davi and her daughter Gabriella; Ted Erne and Helen, who currently are living in our area as they restore their sailboat Liberty; Kelly Myers, her daughters Jenelle and Kayla, and their friend Katlin Raidvee; Märten Vaikmaa’s friends Jaak Lugus and Tanel Lindmets; and Milja Webber. Though Helve Silah is a familiar friend, her 2-year-old son Justin attended his first KFES jõulupidu this year too!

Heikki Joonsar, who is our treasurer and acting president, and Moonika Mägi, our past president, welcomed us with opening remarks. In Estonian Christmas tradition, Moonika recited a poem. Vincent DeLaidatti blessed our meal and our gathering. Heikki thanked our primary verivorsti makers, Kaie Põhi Latterner and Virve-Kai Bulla. Additional vorstid came from a second kitchen too–the home of Triin Karr–where Moonika Mägi, Marju Dishmey and others made their vorstid too ahead of the holidays. Thank you to you too! Everyone jumped in to help today, from setup to meal prep to clean-up, and we were thrilled that our newcomer Helen contributed a large pot of homemade hapukapsad (sauerkraut) too! As we do each December, we paused a moment to sing the Estonian version of “happy birthday” (Ta elagu!) to Heikki Joonsar as we clinked our glasses together in fine Estonian tradition.

Estonians love their traditional jõuluõhtusöök (Christmas dinner) and today’s menu exceeded everyone’s expectations. While our roast pork, mashed potatoes and gravy were catered as in the past, everything else today was homemade. Our side dishes included cranberry sauce, hapukapsad, rosolje, potato salad, herring salad, fresh beet and spinach salad, and other delights too numerous to mention. The centerpiece of the meal was the deliciously seasoned verivorst–mostly provided by the loving hands of Kaie Põhi Latterner and Virve-Kai Bulla. Desserts included three kinds of kringel, piparkoogid, traditional Florida key lime pie, and so many additional sweet selections. Yum!

After lunch, Kaie Põhi Latterner, our Estonian Honorary Consul and KFES musical director, led us in song. When we weren’t singing, we were fully engaged in conversation. It was grand to be together again!

We hope you enjoy these additional photos from our gathering. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year! Please stay tuned to your email, this website, and our Facebook account for information about upcoming events. See the paragraph below for ways to stay in touch.

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.

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

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.

Tere Members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida/KFES Liikmed!

We hope that by 10 November 2024 the blessings of a warm and sunny Florida day will shine upon us and the Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) community will come together and renew friendships and meet some of our newest members. 

We have changed our plans! We will NOT be meeting on November 3, 2024, at Pier 22.

Instead, we will gather on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

We have reserved Shelter 3 at Walsingham Park, 12615 102nd Ave N, Seminole, Florida, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm. We plan to eat together starting about 1:30 pm. Shelter 3 is next to a brand new playground for the young ones.

KFES will order the main course from Pete and Shorty’s: It will consist of pulled pork sandwiches and roast beef French dip sandwiches, each on their appropriate buns.

The cost per person will be $10 and children under 12 will be free.

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.

RSVP DEADLINE:

BY WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2024: Please send an email to KFES1918@yahoo.com if you are attending. Please let us know the names of those attending with you and the main courses you prefer: pulled pork or roast beef French dip. 

Side dishes and desserts are welcome! Please let us know what you plan to contribute to the meal.

KFES will provide water and soft drinks. 

Tervitus,

Heikki ja Inne Joonsar

The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) is on break now for the summer. Like snowbirds in Florida, many KFES members travel north and abroad to escape our summer heat and humid conditions to enjoy cooler climates and friends and family settled elsewhere. We will plan to see you again in the fall! When summer ends, please stay tuned to your email from Heikki Joonsar, KFES Treasurer and Acting President, when he announces a return to activities.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE: The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts is pleased to announce they 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.

Just under 25 Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) members and friends gathered for a picnic on Sunday afternoon, March 24, 2024, in one of our favorite spots, Walsingham Park, in Largo, Florida. KFES provided grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and our members contributed an amazing assortment of side dishes, salads and desserts to our smorgasbord table. Yes, we had traditional Estonian dishes (kartuli salat, rosolje and roosamanna), scrumptious Korean dumplings, and Florida spring-themed fruit-topped desserts (key lime tarts, miniature cheesecakes, and a strawberry whipped cream torte). We give a special shout-out of thanks to Inne and Heikki Joonsar and Birgit and Vincent DeLaidatti for going the extra mile to set up and take down our picnic and a suur tänu to everyone who contributed to our smorgasbord table. Aitäh! Thank you!

March is perhaps many Floridians’ favorite time of year: The sky is blue, the temperature is perfect, humidity is low, and the breeze is warm. That provides the perfect setting for outdoor games.

We have not yet decided when we will meet again. Please stay tuned to your email (to be added to the list, please send an email to KFES1918@yahoo.com), Facebook (search for Kesk Florida Eestlased and ask to be added to the private group), and this website. In the meantime, our group sends best wishes for a happy spring to all our members and friends!

Pictured left to right: Alexandra Remelgas Kroon, Ilme Susi with daughter Marju Dishmey and twin granddaughters Karneelia and Marmeelia, Moonika Mägi, Jüri and Jae Hee Toomepuu, Vincent and Birgit DeLaidatti, with Märt and Ulve Nurmet in the back, Sirje Kiin and Jack Walters with Heiki, Heidi and Nathan Pajusalu in the back, Inne and Heikki Joonsar, with Tõnu Toomepuu and Liz Williams in the back, and Myrtle Hall. (Missing from the photo: Lisa A. Mets and Erkki Taada, KFES web manager and photographers)

The Estonian Consul in New York will conduct a consular mission in Crystal River, FL on April 19th and 20th, and in Miami, FL on April 22nd and 23rd, and is available for all consular services at these times:

Crystal River (3939 North Eagle Point, Crystal River, FL 34428)

Friday, April 19th – 09:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, April 20th – 09:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Miami (1384 SW 18 St, Miami 33145)

Monday, April 22nd – 09:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Tuesday, April 23rd – 09:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Note: Passport and ID card renewal applications can also be done by mail or at the self-service portal of the Estonian Police Board (https://www.politsei.ee/en/) if your fingerprints on file are less than 6 years old.

You can update your fingerprints with the consul if you will need to renew a document in the next few years and your fingerprints are or will be outdated. This could save you a future trip to New York or Washington! The service is free of charge.

Regarding the fees – they will change at the beginning of April, so please look at them only after the 3rd of April https://newyork.mfa.ee/state-fees/. Payments during consular missions must be made in cash or check – no credit cards will be accepted as we don’t have the card terminal.

Please contact:

Ms.  Kaie Tiina Põhi Latterner, kaiet@earthlink.net, phone 612-669-9765 to schedule an appointment in Crystal River, FL.

Estonian Consulate General in New York, nyconsulate@mfa.ee, phone 212-883-0636 to schedule an appointment in Miami, FL.

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

Please join us for one of our favorite activities: A picnic!

Sunday, March 24, 2024

1:00-5:00 pm

Shelter #2

Walsingham Park

12615 102nd Ave N

Largo, FL 33776

https://pinellas.gov/walsingham-park-map

Entrance to the park is free. The KFES fee to help underwrite our costs will be minimal at no more than $10 for adults, payable by cash, check or Zelle at the door. Children are free.

KFES will provide hamburgers, hotdogs, buns and fixings as well as non-alcoholic beverages. Our members and friends are invited to contribute salads, side dishes and desserts to our smorgasbord table. Please note: This shelter does NOT have an electrical connection. The grill we will be using will provide space for dishes that may need to be warmed before serving.

By Wednesday, March 20, 2024, please send an email to KFES Treasurer and Acting President Heikki Joonsar at kfes1918@yahoo.com to let us know you are coming. Please provide the names of all adults, names and ages of children, and the items you will be contributing to our luncheon offerings. If you have some favorite outdoor games for children to play, please bring those too! The playground is under renovation and may not be finished in time for our picnic. Restrooms are located near our shelter.

We look forward to seeing you soon to welcome in spring together!

KFES Juhatus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Board