Florida Estos

Mr. Jaanus Kirikmäe, Estonian Consul General, and Mrs. Merle Kirikmäe visited the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts – KFES) on Sunday, January 30, 2011. KFES hosted a reception for the couple at Jüri and Kersti Linask’s lovely home. More than 30 KFES members warmly welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Kirikmäe. Mr. Kirikmäe offered remarks describing the activities of the Office of Consul General together with an overview of recent milestones reflecting Estonia’s remarkable progress the past 20 years. On behalf of KFES, Ms. Lisa Mets thanked Consul General Kirikmäe and Mrs. Kirikmäe for honoring the Estonian Society of Central Florida with their visit, and she extended an invitation to the Consul General to consider the Tampa Bay region and its Estonian community — already known for its support for Estonia and Estonian arts and music — as a region where they can find support for Estonia’s continuing progress. Mr. Kirikmäe was on an official visit to deliver passports and other documents.

The Estonian Society of Central Florida kicked off the new year with its monthly meeting on January 2, 2011. More than 30 members celebrated the New Year. To view photos, please visit Monthly Meetings. Adding to the festive mood was this poem written and read by KFES’s newest member, Mr. Jüri Toomepuu.

Palju õnne, kõike head!
Kõik uuel aastal olgu uus,
meil eurokiitus kõigil suus.
Optimism meil lootust annab,
kuldranda innustus meid kannab,

Kui puhkma pääsvad uued tuuled,
on rõõmulauluks avat huuled,
kui töö ning leiva kõrval mahti,
ka võlgadest võid saada lahti.

Koidust tärkvast kiirgab rõõm,
elukarikast nüüd neela sõõm!
Mis murekoorem meil veel lasub,
kui Merkel Kreeka võlad tasub?

Järge hoida siiski vaja,
hoidkem alles mõnda vana!
Olgu ühiskond stabiilne,
hoidume sest mis labiilne.

Ongi riik meil kindlal jalgel,
Ansipil vaid sära palgel.
Raudselt pukis Savisaar,
kõrvalt kadestamas Laar.

Poliitikud kõik sõna võtvad,
kõnet pidama nad tõtvad.
Valimised on ju eel,
hääli koguma peab veel.

Ergma lõimumist vaid kiidab,
Eesti suurde punti liidab.
Ilves käivitand kampaania,
jutt aususest küll vist iroonia

Ka neile kellel kõik on läinud,
kel masu raskelt üle käinud,
uus algus elu uueks loogu!
Uus aasta õnne kõigil toogu!

Palju õnne kõike head!
Kui ainult sirgelt sammu sead,
kui siht on vääramatult selge,
siis tulevik meil ongi helge.

Vennad Tõnu (taga) ja Jüri (ees)Toomepuu, KFES, 2. jaan. 2011. a.

Welcome to the home page of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts), founded in 1975 and located in Tampa Bay. 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.

Estonian and Estonian-American residents of Tampa Bay are happy to welcome snowbirds and visitors at our events — please visit our calendar of events whenever you are planning a visit in our area.

The Estonian Society of Central Florida holds monthly luncheon meetings. In 2010/2011, luncheon meetings are scheduled from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on the following dates: November 7, 2010; December 5, 2010; January 2, 2011; January 30, 2011 starting at 3:15 pm (a change in the schedule to host a reception for the Estonian Consul General); April 3, 2011; May 1, 2011 (at the home of Oivi and Jack Dudley); October 2, 2011; and November 6, 2011 (annual business meeting for 2011/2012). Please email Mr. Rein Raja, raja7@juno.com or call (727) 866-2614
or email Ms. Maare Kuuskvere, jaank@verizon.net or call (941) 795-6835, to let him/her know you are coming.

Each February the Estonian Society of Central Florida celebrates Estonian Independence Day (Vabariigi Aastapäev). Here is information for our celebration on February 26, 2011:

Eesti Vabariigi 93.a Aastapäeva Aktus
93^nd Estonian Independence Day Celebration
Saturday, February 26, 2011
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Countryside Country Club
3001 Countryside Blvd.
Clearwater, Florida
Cost per person: $30

Please make reservations by calling or emailing Mr. Rein Raja or Ms. Maare Kuuskvere by 11:00 am, Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Please mail your check ($30/person) made payable to the Estonian Society of Central Florida by Wednesday, February 23, 2011, to Mr. Rein Raja, KFES Treasurer, 501 Laguna Dr., Tierra Verde, FL 33715. No refunds can be given for cancellations after February 23, 2011. (If you would like to include your 2010-2011 KFES membership dues in your check, please add $15/person.)

Contact Information:
Mr. Rein Raja at (727) 866-2614, raja7@juno.com
or
Ms. Maare Kuuskvere at (941) 795-6835, jaank@verizon.net

Each June the Estonian Society of Central Florida celebrates St. John’s Day (Jaanipäev).

St. John’s Day Celebration
Jaanipäev
June 25, 2011
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Reserved Pavilion on Anna Maria Island
Please direct questions to:
Mr. Rein Raja at (727) 866-2614, raja7@juno.com
or
Ms. Maare Kuuskvere at (941) 795-6835, jaank@verizon.net

In the meantime, to learn more about the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts), please email Mr. Rein Raja, raja7@juno.com, or Ms. Maare Kuuskvere, jaank@verizon.net.

Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Central Florida

Many of the members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida are members of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Central Florida (Eesti Evangeeliumi Luteri Usu Kirik (E.E.L.K.) – Kesk-Florida Kogudus), which worships in St. Petersburg, generally during the winter months (October, December, January, March, and April).

The 2010-2011 services of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Central Florida are being held: October 31, 2010 (Rev. Priit Rebane); November 28, 2010 (Rev./Abipraost Hendrik Laur); Christmas Eve, December 24, 2010 (Rev. Priit Rebane); January 30, 2011 (Rev./Abipraost Hendrik Laur); March 27, 2011 (Rev./Abipraost Hendrik Laur); Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 (Rev. Priit Rebane); October 23, 2011 (Rev./Abipraost Hendrik Laur); November 27, 2011 (Rev./Abipraost Hendrik Laur); December 24, 2011 (Rev. Priit Rebane); January 22, 2012 (Rev./Abipraost Hendrik Laur); and Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012 (Rev. Priit Rebane). Services are held at 2:00 pm, and a coffee hour follows. The coffee hour on January 30, 2011 is combined with a reception for the Estonian Consul General that is hosted by the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts – KFES) at the home of Jüri and Kersti Linask starting at 3:15 pm; information about the reception is posted on this web site. All services are held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 5th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida. Directions are available at the Church’s website: Trinity Lutheran Church.

For more information about the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Central Florida (E.E.L.K. Kesk-Florida), please contact Pastor Priit Rebane by sending an email to priit@rebane.com or Mr. Jüri Linask by sending an email to jlinask@tampabay.rr.com or calling 727-540-0164.

Minutes of the KFES Annual Meeting
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Hangar Restaurant
St. Petersburg, Florida

Call to Order. At 3:00 pm the meeting was called to order by the KFES president, Tõnu Toomepuu. Jaan Kuuskvere was elected to chair the meeting and Maare Kuuskvere to take minutes.

Mr. Kuuskvere called on Pastor Priit Rebane to begin the KFES meeting with a prayer. We remembered members who passed away this past year: Helmut Lelov, Juta Koik Uusvell, Glen Nurk, Marie Luts, and Riida Sepri.

Minutes of the 2009-2010 Annual Meeting. On motion made and seconded, members unanimously voted to pass on the reading of the Secretary’s Minutes of last year’s Annual Meeting and accepted them as submitted.

Treasurer’s Report. The Treasurer reviewed last year’s budget and actual revenues and expenditures, which had been confirmed by the KFES audit committee. On motion made and seconded, the Treasurer’s report of the November 2009-October 2010 budget was approved.

The Treasurer presented the proposed budget for November 2010-October 2011. It projects a balanced budget with income and expenses each totaling $3,220.00. It is based on the approval of a proposal to raise annual membership dues from $10.00 to $15.00 per individual. It also includes a proposal that the KFES discontinue its contribution to the Estonian Archives. On motion made and seconded, the members approved the membership dues increase, the elimination of a contribution to the Estonian Archives, and the balanced budget for 2010-2011.

Activities for 2010-2011. President Tõnu Toomepuu presented the proposed schedule of activities for 2010-2011, based on KFES’s past level of activities. On motion made and seconded, the membership approved the following activities through November 2011:

Luncheon meetings December 5, 2010; January 2, 2011; February 6, 2011 (subsequently changed to January 30, 2011 from 3:00-5:00 pm); April 3, 2011; May 1, 2011; and October 2, 2011
Estonian Independence Day Celebration on February 26, 2011
St. John’s Day Picnic on June 25, 2011
Annual Meeting November 6, 2011 (2011-2012)

New Business. Monika Orumaa Craig appealed to the members to donate to a charitable program organized by her church.

Old Business. Monika Orumaa Craig encouraged members, no matter what their age, to consider running for election to the KFES Board and serving in leadership positions in the KFES; widespread participation is needed to sustain the organization. Monika was thanked, with applause, for her leadership organizing the musical program for the 2010 Estonian Independence Day program.

Elections. On motion made and second, the members re-elected Board and audit committee members:

Tõnu Toomepuu -president
Monika Orumaa Craig – vice president
Lisa Mets – vice president
Maare Kuuskvere – secretary
Rein Raja – treasurer
Triin Karr – member at large

Heino Luts, Jaan Kuuskvere, Erkki Taada – auditors

Open Discussion. Members discussed two topics. First, they explored program/speaker ideas for the 2011 Estonian Independence Day Celebration. The KFES Board will continue to work on the development of a program/identification of a speaker. Second, Kersti and Jüri Linask, recently re-elected to ERKÜ (Estonian American National Council), commented on ERKÜ’s recent meeting and activities. Kersti mentioned she and Monika Orumaa Craig, who was recently elected to ERKÜ, serve on ERKÜ’s planning committee. Kersti invited KFES members to email her ideas for ways ERKÜ might be strengthened. Jüri reminded members that historically a major source of support for ERKÜ came from donations from Estonians in the US; he encouraged members to give to ERKÜ.

There being no further business before the membership, the meeting adjourned at 3:45 pm.

KFES Liikmed at The Hangar

KFES Liikmed at The Hangar

Clevelandi Eestlaste Ühing “Arendaja” on üks venemaid organisatsioone USAs, mis loodi 23. oktoobril 1925 aastal. Aegade muutudes ja inimeste vananedes on “Arendaja” tänaseks kujunenud lähikonna eestlastele võimaluseks regulaarselt kokku saada ja suhelda. Paljud liikmed on aastate jooksul manalateed läinud ja tasapisi on uusi liikmeid ühinguga ühinenud. Hetkel on liikmete arv 18. Sellel tähtsal päeval soovib “Arendaja” eestlastega koos Ühingu 85. aastapäeva tähistada:

Laupäeval, 23. oktoobril, 2010.a
Kell 5:00 p.l.
Hotell “Hampton Inn”
10305 Cascade Crossing
Brooklyn, Ohio 44144
Osavõtumaks on $25 inimese pealt.
Kõneleja: Hr. Ago Ambre, Eesti Ameerika Fondi President

Teata osavõtust 9. oktoobriks 2010.a: June Linterman, tel. (440) 625-1211; Ain Linterman (440) 465-6375.

On Saturday, June 26, 2010, Kesk Florida Eesti Selts members celebrated Jaanipäev under a shaded pavilion on beautiful Anna Maria Island, Florida.

Members of the Kesk Florida Eesti Selts enjoy great conversation at their Jaanipäev picnic.

The Jaanipäev celebratory picnic on Anna Maria Island is a long-standing tradition of the Kesk Florida Eesti Selts. Three generations of the Leena and Väino Aare family are the biggest supporters of the celebration. In fact, Leena and Väino have been the picnic’s financial underwriters and grill chefs for years. The entire Kesk Florida Eesti Selts and our guests extend a huge THANK YOU to Leena and Väino for their generosity and friendship.

Väino and Leena Aare with their son, daughter-in-law and twin granddaughters.

Estonia is proudly represented at U.S. Central Command at MacDill Airforce Base by Meeme Kuningas, who also finds time with his daughter to support the activities of the Kesk Florida Eesti Selts. We salute our Estonian troops and the Estonian armed forces as we remember our fallen and departed soldiers as we commemorate Võidupüha each June.

Meeme Kuningas and his daughter

Members of Kesk Florida Eesti Selts come from across the northern and southern and eastern and western regions of Tampa Bay. We are always happy to welcome visitors to the area, so please continue to visit this web site for news about upcoming activities and please join us! We speak English and Estonian!

Kersti Linask from Clearwater and Jaan Kuuskvere from Bradenton catch up on the news and their recent travels

Dear members and friends of KFES!

Instead of meeting at the Holiday Inn in Clearwater, the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) met on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at Mattison’s Riverside Restaurant 1200 1st Ave. W, in Bradenton at the usual time, 2:00 p.m. Each individual/couple ordered from the restaurant menu and paid his/her/their own lunch bill. A room was reserved for our members. We tried out the venue on May 2nd so we could decide if we would like to meet there for next year’s get-togethers. So, those who attended are now invited to offer their opinions! The food was delicious and the view wonderful!! Please email your feedback to Monika Orumaa Craig.

Please visit our Calendar of Events for upcoming opportunities to gather. Our next event is the celebration of Jaanipäev, June 26, 2010, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Anna Maria Island. The next meetings of the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) are at 2:00 pm on October 3, 2010 and November 7, 2010. For more information about the Jaanipäev picnic and meetings, contact:
Mr. Rein Raja at (727) 866-2614, raja7@juno.com
or
Ms. Maare Kuuskvere at (941) 795-6835, jaank@verizon.net

Directions: From the north, take 275 south, across the Sunshine Skyway bridge and follow Rt 19 to business 41 (the signs will direct you toward Bradenton), drive through the city of Palmetto and cross the Manatee river, turn right on 3rd Ave. and right again on 12th street and the restaurant will be directly ahead. There is plenty of space for parking.

From the south, take Rt 41 to Manatee Ave., make a left turn and drive to 12th street, make a right turn and the restaurant is directly ahead. If you travel on Interstate 75, take the Bradenton exit for Rt. 64 (Manatee Ave.) and proceed to 12th Street W, take a right, and you will see the restaurant at the end of the street, by the river.

Dear members and friends of KFES!

This is to inform you of a change of venue for our monthly luncheons. Instead of meeting at the Holiday Inn in Clearwater, we will meet on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at Mattison’s Riverside Restaurant 1200 1st Ave. W, in Bradenton. The time is still 2 p.m.  Each individual/couple will be ordering from the restaurant menu and paying his/her/their own lunch bill. A room has been reserved for our members; just ask the host to guide you when you arrive. We will be trying out the venue on that Sunday so we can decide if we would like to meet there for next year’s get-togethers. So, please attend and offer your opinion! The food is delicious and the view wonderful!! For more information, contact:
Mr. Rein Raja at (727) 866-2614, raja7@juno.com
or
Ms. Maare Kuuskvere at (941) 795-6835, jaank@verizon.net

Directions: From the north, take 275 south, across the Sunshine Skyway bridge and follow Rt 19 to business 41 (the signs will direct you toward Bradenton), drive through the city of Palmetto and cross the Manatee river, turn right on 3rd Ave. and right again on 12th street and the restaurant will be directly ahead. There is plenty of space for parking.

From the south, take Rt 41 to Manatee Ave., make a left turn and drive to 12th street, make a right turn and the restaurant is directly ahead. If you travel on Interstate 75, take the Bradenton exit for Rt. 64 (Manatee Ave.) and proceed to 12th Street W, take a right, and you will see the restaurant at the end of the street, by the river.

In other news, our Estonian conductor Eri Klas will be performing in the Progress Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg, Florida on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. and at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. You can purchase tickets through the Florida Orchestra web site.

Hope to see you at the Florida Orchestra performance directed by Eri Klas on Saturday/Sunday April 17/18 or the KFES monthly meeting on Sunday, May 2!

E.E.L.K.  Kongress
E.E.L.K. USA Praostkonna Sinodid
10:00 e.l. – 6:30 p.l.
Laupäeval, 24. aprillil 2010.a.
Eckerd College Continuing Education Conference Center
4200 54th Avenue S
St. Petersburg, Florida 33711
(727) 864-7000

Jumalateenistus
Kohvilaud
2:00-4:00 p.l.
Pühapäeval, 25. aprillil 2010.a.
Trinity Lutheran Church
401 5th Street North
St Petersburg, FL 33701-2896
(727) 822-3307

Info:
Pastor Priit Rebane, email priit@rebane.com
Mr. Jüri Linask, email jlinask@tampabay.rr.com või helistage 727-540-0164.

Reedel, 23. aprill. 2010.a.

Ühine õhtusöök
kell 18:00 (6:00 p.l.)
Eckerd College Continuing Education Center (CEC)
Heron Rooms

Laupäeval, 24. aprill. 2010.a.

Ühine hommikusöök
kell 9:00 e.l.
Eckerd College Continuing Education Center (CEC)
Heron Rooms

Kongress ja sinodid
kell 10:00-18:30 (10:00 e.l.-6:30 p.l)
(Ühine lõunasöök umbes 12:30)
Eckerd College Continuing Education Center (CEC)
Kongress (kell 10:00-16:00):
Flamingo Room
Sinodid (kell 16:30-18:30):
Esimene Praostkond: Flamingo Room
Chicago Praostkond: Pelican Room

Ühine ohtusöök
kell 19:00 (7:00 p.l)
Eckerd College Continuing Education Center (CEC)
CEC Cafeteria (kinni pantud meile)

Pühapäeval, 25. aprill. 2010.a.

Jumalateenistus
kell 14:00 (2:00 p.l.)
Trinity Lutheran Church

Kohvilaud
Redeemer Hall, teisel korral

Kallid KFES liikmed!

Helmut Lelov ja Monika Orumaa Craig

Kurbusega teatame teile et meie kõige vanem auväärne liige, Helmut Lelov, suri 28. veebruaril. 2010.a.  Leinama jääb Monika Orumaa Craig ja kõik meie Seltsi liikmed.

Eesti Vabariigi 92.a tähistamise puhul, 20. veeb. 2010; Eva Meriorg, Helmut Lelov ja Monika Orumaa Craig

Armast kasuisa Helmut J. Lelov’it

sünd. Pärnu’s

19. august 1912

surn. Sarasota, Florida’s

28. veebruar 2010

mälestab “tema kulla tükk” Monika Orumaa-Craig