Florida Estos

Information about KFES events and photos may be found on our Facebook page. The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts has a wonderful Facebook account. You may find the account by searching this name: Kesk Florida Eestlased. 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!

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

Season’s greetings!

We will gather for our traditional Christmas luncheon:

Sunday, December 3, 2023

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.)

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 Delaidatti for making 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, November 29, 2023, please send an email to Heikki and Inne Joonsar innelj23@gmail.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

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 start of the holiday season with you!

Heikki and Inne Joonsar

The Detroit Estonian Educational Society “Kodu”/Detroidi Eesti Haridusselts “Kodu” (DEHS Kodu) invited Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts member Lisa A. Mets to join them for their November 11, 2023, luncheon in the Latvian Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Founded on October 17, 1926, DEHS Kodu is one of the oldest active Estonian associations in the United States. A former Ann Arbor resident and participant at DEHS Kodu gatherings, it was a treat to be back among old and new friends again. It was a special treat to see Harry Kansman in attendance; his parents were among the “Kodu” founders in 1926!

The gathering this day at just under 20 participants was small but enthusiastic. Attendees were invited to dress in Halloween and Mardipäev costumes. The top prizes were awarded to Linda Einpaul and Ingrid Peil, two dedicated DEHS Kodu Board members. In addition to the delicious smorgasbord lunch, a highlight of the afternoon was the DEHS Kodu program. Krista Pärdi offered an informative lecture on the evolution of Estonian academic societies. Aksel Peil offered insight into Estonian traditions on Mardipäev. The afternoon concluded with a group photograph, taken outside on an uncharacteristically and mercifully warm November afternoon in Michigan.

DEHS Kodu invites friends of Estonia to visit with them when they are in the Detroit area. You may find their information on their website, https://www.detroitestonians.com/, which also includes a link to their Facebook page. We congratulate DEHS “Kodu” on the recent announcement that their website has been selected by the US Library of Congress for inclusion in the Voices: Eastern and Central European Americans Web Archive! Bravo! Palju õnne!

As is its tradition each November, the Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) launched its new year of activities at its annual meeting this time from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. More than 45 KFES members and friends attended the luncheon program and annual meeting. We were especially delighted to be joined by nearly 15 new guests.

The centerpiece of this annual meeting was a presentation by Heikki Joonsar, KFES Treasurer and now additionally acting president, and his wife Inne Joonsar, KFES Vice President. While on a 2023 summer trip to Estonia, Heikki and Inne visited the Arvo Pärt Keskus. Heikki noted they were especially taken by the path from the parking lot to the Keskus (Centre). The path, lined with pine trees and fields of wild blueberries, was long; it was designed to encourage contemplation and the Joonsars were so inspired. To share that inspiration with KFES members this day, Heikki presented a video narrated by Arvo Pärt’s son, Michael. What a wonderful addition to the day’s program! Thank you, Heikki and Inne!

Additional photos may be found on our Facebook page. The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts has a wonderful Facebook account. You may find the account by searching this name: Kesk Florida Eestlased. 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!

The Estonian Society of Central Florida Board/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Juhatus are planning the organization’s year of activities. These events are on the horizon: (1) Our traditional Estonian holiday lunch with Jõuluvana (Santa) on Sunday, December 3, 2023; (2) our traditional Estonian Soup and Sandwich Lunch (Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök) in January 2024; and (3) our celebration of the 106th Anniversary of Estonian Independence/Eesti Vabariigi Aastapäev 106 in February 2024. Details about those events and others through April 2024 will be forthcoming. Please stay tuned to your email, Facebook (Kesk Florida Eestlased), and this website for more information. To join the KFES email list, please write Heikki Joonsar at kfes1918@yahoo.com.

Greetings to all KFES members and friends!

First, we want to welcome back all those who journeyed to cooler climates for the summer months and hope that all had an enjoyable and safe summer. Not only those who left but those who stayed will have many stories to tell. We look forward to gathering with you on Sunday, November 12, 2023, as we have a cocktail hour from 1:00 to 2:00 pm and a sit-down lunch from 2:00 pm onward. 

We will be meeting in a familiar location: The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge, St. Petersburg, Florida. The Hangar Restaurant and Flight Lounge is located at the St. Petersburg Airport, 540 1st Street S, St. Petersburg FL 33701.

Reservations are necessary so we may be sure the restaurant can accommodate our group. Please send Inne Joonsar (ijoonsar@tampabay.rr.com) an email with the names of those attending with you by November 5, 2023.

There will be a pay as you go bar starting with the 1:00pm cocktail hour. The cost for the meal with tax and tip per person is $35.00. You can (1) pay with cash or check at the door (reservations are still needed), (2) transmit payment beforehand to the KFES bank account via ZELLE (KFES1918@yahoo.com) , or (3) mail a check made out to KFES to Heikki Joonsar, 14932 89th Ave, Seminole, FL. 33776. Children aged ten and under can order from the children’s menu; the cost of a child’s meal will be $8.00. KFES will be given one bill at the end of the meal, which KFES will pay.

After we sit down, waiters will take your order from the selections below. 

SALAD COURSE

Choose One

Spring Green Salad

Fresh Strawberries, Toasted Pecans, Feta Cheese, Herbed Balsamic Vinaigrette

Caesar Salad

House-made Dressing, Sourdough Croutons, Grated Parmesan

ENTRÉE COURSE

Choose One

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Sautéed Vegetables, Burgundy Demi-Glace

Grilled Organic Salmon

Artichoke Hearts, House-made Basil Pesto, Garlic Smashed Potatoes, Grilled Lemon

Airline Chicken Breast

Garlic Smashed Potatoes & Creamy Sundried Tomato & Spinach Sauce

Vegetable Fettuccine

Fresh Basil, Parmesan, House-Made Roasted Tomato Sauce

We are looking forward to seeing everybody!

Tervitusi,

Heikki ja Inne Joonsar

Information about KFES events and photos may be found on our Facebook page. The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts has a wonderful Facebook account. You may find the account by searching this name: Kesk Florida Eestlased. 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!

The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) held its last celebration for its 2022-2023 year of activities from 1:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, April 23, 2023. This event was generously hosted by our longtime active members Jüri and Jae Toomepuu in their beautiful Hillsborough riverfront home in Temple Terrace, Florida.

An enriching experience was offered to the more than 45 attendees: The outdoors and Toomepuu swimming pool entertained children for hours, the home’s natural setting among Florida palm trees and alligators inspired environmentalists, and the afternoon program easily satisfied adults hungry for immersion in Estonian culture and conversation. We were especially delighted to welcome back the Väikko and Maria Pari family and Väikko’s father Erwin visiting from Eesti and new KFES friends Maie Sikemäe and Diana and Robert Davi.

The highlight for KFES members was the opportunity to welcome back Avo Aljas and his wife Reet and their son, all on a spring visit from Eesti. We first met Avo years ago through his Eesti officer assignment to Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, and he has remained our friend since then. Avo provided an engaging update on current events in Eesti. Thank you, Avo!

Please enjoy photos of the afternoon posted below. Additional photos may be found on our Facebook page. The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts has a wonderful Facebook account. You may find the account by searching this name: Kesk Florida Eestlased. 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!

The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES) will take a break now for the summer. Like snowbirds ourselves, many KFES members travel north and abroad to escape our summer heat and humid conditions and to enjoy cooler climates and friends and family settled elsewhere. We will plan to see you again in November!

The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts will bring its 2022-2023 year of activities to a close on Sunday, April 23, 2023. After that event we will start our annual summer hiatus, which lasts from May, 2023, to October/November 2023.

Date and Time:

Sunday, April 23, 2023

1:00-5:00 pm

Venue:

Jüri Toomepuu, his wife Jae Hee, and their family invite us to join them in their lovely home. Thank you to the Toomepuu family! The address of their home is just off of I-75, making this a convenient location for our members and friends from the north, south and Orlando area.

12219 Brightwater Blvd.

Temple Terrace, FL 33617-1708

Lunch Menu:

Moonika Mägi, our KFES Chef extraordinaire, will be preparing a delicious brisket for our main course. Inne Joonsar, our expert dessert maker, will bring a large platter of apple crumb cake for dessert.

Members and friends are invited to supplement our offerings with cole slaw, baked beans, corn on the cob, sweet potato casserole, barbecued meats, and other dishes and desserts of your choosing.

Please bring you own adult beverages. Water and apple juice will be provided.

Reservations and Cost:

Please let us know who is coming (names and ages) and what you are planning to contribute to our smorgasbord. Please send an email to joonsar@cox.net.

$10 per adult will cover our expenses. Children under the age of 18 are free. Payment may be made through Zelle to kfes1918@yahoo.com and cash will be accepted at the door. Or, you may mail a check made payable to Estonian Society of Central Florida/KFES to:

Heikki Joonsar

KFES Treasurer

14032 89th Ave.

Seminole, FL 33776.

Guest speaker:

We are excited to let you know Avo Aljas will be our guest speaker. Avo and his wife Reet and son are visiting Florida this spring, and we are lucky they will be in the Tampa area when our gathering is scheduled. Many of us remember Avo from the days when he was assigned as the Estonian Officer representative to Central Command at MacDill AFB. We look forward to welcoming back our old friends!

Please note:

This will be our last KFES event until late fall so we hope to see you April 23, 2023!

Information about KFES events and photos may be found on our Facebook page. The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts has a wonderful Facebook account. You may find the account by searching this name: Kesk Florida Eestlased. 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!

Members and friends of the Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts gathered for an afternoon spring picnic on Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Walsingham Park, Largo, Florida.

The weather was perfect. The charcoal stayed lit to grill hot dogs and many people brought scrumptious salads and delicious desserts.

Five talented cooks entered our kotlet competition. Thanks to all of them for giving us a wonderful opportunity to sample their Eesti recipes and family traditions. At the end of the meal, everybody had sampled all five kotlet candidates and a secret paper ballot vote was held. Triin Karr’s recipe won with almost half the votes cast. Congratulations, Triin!

Our next event:

Our next event is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, April 23, 2023 (time and venue to be determined). We are excited to let you know Avo Aljas will be our guest speaker. Avo and his wife Reet and son are visiting Florida this spring. Avo and his family will be in the Tampa area when our gathering is scheduled and they have accepted our invitation to join us. Many of us remember Avo from the days when he was assigned as the Estonian Officer representative to Central Command at MacDill AFB. We look forward to welcoming back our old friends! This will be our last KFES event until late fall so we hope to see you April 23, 2023!

Information about KFES events and photos may be found on our Facebook page. The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts has a wonderful Facebook account. You may find the account by searching this name: Kesk Florida Eestlased. 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!

More than 60 members and friends of the Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts gathered to celebrate the 105th Anniversary of Estonian Independence/Eesti Vabariigi Aastapäev 105 on Sunday, February 26, 2023, in the ballroom at Feather Sound Country Club in Clearwater, Florida.

We were especially delighted to greet new friends who, coincidentally, are Estonian Canadian compatriots working in the Tampa area or visiting here as snowbirds or otherwise. A warm welcome to the Rukholm family: Matti and Vanessa and their two children Quinn and Mia, who now live in Tampa, together with Toivo and Ellen Rukholm visiting from Canada. We also extend a warm welcome to Maret and Rein Pajo and Uno and Luule Tiisler, also from Canada.

It was a treat to welcome back our returning KFES snowbirds: the Märtin Vaikmaa and Sunne Säre family with Etta and Otto from Eesti, Anu Nerska from Canada, and Märt and Ulve Nurmet from Texas. We also extend a warm welcome back to our members and friends who drive the extra mile to attend our celebrations: Virve-Kai Bulla from The Villages, Anu and Mario Christo and Helen Tammela from Orlando, and Rein and Goodie Männik and Aino and Ants Tomson from Naples (FL).

The afternoon’s celebratory and engaging program included participation from many KFES members: our vocalists Birgit and Vincent Delaidatti, KFES Vice President/Acting President Moonika Mägi, KFES Secretary Triin Karr, Urve Põhi, and Helen Tammela. The drawings for the loterii were graciously led by Chloe and Reet-Regina Cabrera and assisted by Moonika Mägi and Triin Karr. The highlight of the program was our guest speaker: Kaie Põhi Latterner, Estonian Honorary Consul in Florida, one of our most active KFES leaders, and our KFES musical director. Not only did Kaie move us with her remarks, she delighted us with her musical accompaniment throughout the afternoon. The afternoon came to a close with the now traditional KFES members’ dancing of the perekonna valss and group photo on the balcony. Please enjoy the photos below.

By the way, additional KFES EVA 105 photos may be found on our Facebook page. The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts has a wonderful Facebook account. You may find the account by searching this name: Kesk Florida Eestlased. 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!

Information about this event and photos may be found on our Facebook page. The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts has a wonderful Facebook account. You may find the account by searching this name: Kesk Florida Eestlased. 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!

Kallid Kesk Florida Eesti Seltsi liikmed ja sõbrad/Dear members and friends of the Estonian Society of Central Florida!

Please join us over lunch as we celebrate Eesti Vabariigi 105 Aastapäeva/105th Anniversary of Estonian Independence!

When?

Sunday, February 26, 2023

What time?

1:00-5:00 pm

Where?

In our familiar place:

Feather Sound Country Club

2201 Feather Sound Drive

Clearwater, FL 33762

Telephone: 727.498.0005

How much will lunch cost?

Feather Sound Country Club is offering a favorable price for a full luncheon meal. A cash bar will be open for our event.

Adults: $35 per adult and child over the age of 12

Children: $10 for children aged 12 and under

What is the lunch menu?

The adult menu includes two choices:

1. Citrus Rosemary Wild Salmon with vegetables
2. Grilled Chicken Breast on top of Fettucini Alfredo

The children’s menu includes a fruit cup, beverage, and two choices:

1. Chicken fingers
2. Macaroni and cheese

What’s for dessert?

Kringle and a champagne toast!

In advance, thank you to Virve Kai Bulla, Birgit DeLaidatti and Inne Joonsar for the kringle and Tõnu Toomepuu for the champagne toast!

Do I need to make reservations and pay in advance?

Yes, please, we need you to make reservations and pay in advance. Feather Sound Country Club cannot accommodate walk-ins.

By Sunday, February 19, 2023, please make your reservation by sending an email to Heikki Joonsar and let him know

1. the names of the adults and children over the age of 12 who are coming with you
2. the names and ages of children under the age of 12 who are coming with you
3. each adult’s and child’s meal choice

Please make the payment for your lunch by

1. Zelle to kfes1918@yahoo.com, or
2. Making a check payable to the “Estonian Society of Central Florida” and mailing it to

Heikki Joonsar, Treasurer

Estonian Society of Central Florida

14032 89th Ave

Seminole, FL 33776

Because the Country Club cannot provide refunds, we are sorry we cannot offer refunds after February 19, 2023.

Will there be a program?

Yes, we have a special program planned. We are excited to welcome Kaie Põhi Latterner, Honorary Consul for the Republic of Estonia, as our guest speaker. Kaie just returned from consular meetings in Washington, DC, and she has lots of information to share! In the meantime, the KFES Juhatus is rounding out the remainder of the program and we will have more to offer that afternoon!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Elagu Eesti!

KFES Juhatus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Board

Nearly 50 members and friends of Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES)/Estonian Society of Central Florida gathered for their annual Supp ja Võileiva Lõunasöök (Soup and Sandwich Luncheon) on Sunday, January 29, 2023, from 1:00-5:00 pm, in a fabulous neighborhood community center in Largo, FL. A huge thanks to Birgit and Vincent DeLaidatti who were amazing hosts, generously assisted by Anneliis Kuusik and Rein Allikberg, Moonika Mägi, Inne and Heikki Joonsar and others.

Once again KFES members rose to the occasion to support this traditional Eesti smorgasbord event with homemade soups (borscht, frikadelli, ja herne supid), sandwiches (kilu, vorstijuust, lõhekala, jt.), salads (kartuli ja rosolje), pirukad, and Korean Mandu. Magustoidu laud oli küll rikkalik (the dessert table was fantastic)!

Today was special for two reasons. One, thanks to Livija Rebane, we were able to present a special program. Livija performed a most impressive sword dance that she choreographed herself. Wielding a 3-pound sword Livija wowed us all. Thank you, Livija! And two, a number of special guests from Estonia chose to spend their blue sky sunny Florida afternoon with us; they included Merike Milli’s mother Lia; Astrid and Heinar Normet’s daughter-in-law Liina and granddaughter Elli; Sunne Säre and her children Etta and Otto; and Marmeelia and Karneelia Dishmey’s grandmother.

Photos of the event may be found on our Facebook page. The Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts has a wonderful Facebook account. You may find the account by searching this name: Kesk Florida Eestlased. 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!

Here are some photos for your enjoyment!