Florida Estos

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!

Tere KFES Liikmed! Greetings, members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida!

Soovime Head Uut Aastat teile!!!  Happy New Year!!!

We are continuing our traditional Jaanuar Supp ja Võileib Koosviibimine.

When?

Sunday January 29, 2023

1:00 to 5pm

Where?

At Birgit and Vincent’s Condo Association Club House.

The address of the clubhouse is Harbour Crest 400, 13940 Anona Heights Drive, Largo, FL 33774.

Parking is limited but you can park across the street in the school parking lot.

What is the cost?

There is no cost to members to attend this event. Kesk Florida Eesti Selts is covering costs.

Do you need to let us know you are coming?

Yes, please do! This way we can plan the menu and seating to accommodate everyone. Please send an email to Heikki Joonsar (joonsar@cox.net) to let him know you are coming. Please include the names of everyone who will be accompanying you. Please let us know too what you will be bringing for our smorgasbord table.

What might you contribute to the smorgasbord table?

Here are the soups, salads and open-faced sandwiches some of our members are bringing:

Borscht; split pea, barley and ham soup; and frikadilli supp

potato salad

open-faced sandwiches with heering ja muna (herring and egg); vorstijuust (sausage cheese); and salmon sai (salmon sandwich)

We look forward to hearing what you plan to bring!

Reminder about beverages at our events: Bring your own adult beverage and/or your other favorite beverages. Water and coffee are provided.

What a great way to start the new year!

Are plans underway for Estonia’s 105 Independence Day/Eesti Vabariigi 105 Aastapäeva celebration in February 2023?

Yes! Save the date for our Eesti Vabariigi 105 Aastapäeva Celebration. It is scheduled for Sunday, February 26, 2023. Details will follow soon.

Our very best,

Inne Joonsar

On Sunday, December 4, 2022, more than 60 members and old and even more new friends of the Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts welcomed Jõuluvana (Santa Claus) to their annual holiday lunch.

We were especially thrilled to welcome our families, growing in numbers.

This year, Astrid and Heinar Normet hosted us in the community center at their new home in Bradenton, Florida. Thank you, Astrid and Heinar! Current and former members of the KFES Juhatus/Estonian Society of Central Florida Board did yeoman’s work that led to such a successful afternoon. Thanks especially to Moonika Mägi, Monika Orumaa, Astrid and Heinar Normet, Heikki and Inne Joonsar, Anneliis Kuusik and Rein Allikberg, Triin Karr, Reet Cabrera, Vincent and Birgit DeLaidatti, and so many others who contributed helping hands and delicious foods!

Traditional holiday fare for our meal, thanks to good scouting by Monika Orumaa, included mouth watering Cuban roast pork and German verivorst. Members complemented the meal with mashed and roast potatoes, hapukapsad (sauerkraut), cranberry sauce and pickled pumpkin, and cucumbers in sour cream. Appetizers abounded.

Desserts filled a table all on their own. The centerpiece was a birthday cake to celebrate KFES Treasurer Heikki Joonsar’s birthday. Märten Vaikmaa surprised us by ordering a large selection of custom European and Estonian tortes and desserts made from scratch by the very talented Krislin Kreis, who runs Krislin’s Cakes, a cottage bakery from her home. You may also find Krislin offering tours at her home, the Wonder House, in Bartow, Florida. We were delighted and certainly grateful that Inga and Veiko Kreis, Krislin’s parents, made the journey from Ft. Myers and Bartow to deliver Krislin’s scrumptious goods!

In addition to the many adults with busy hands this afternoon, our children were also put on task. Decorating gingerbread cookies is now an annual highlight!

Though a traditional Estonian holiday dinner with our growing Estonian Kesk Florida Eesti Selts family is a highlight for us each December, the stars of the show were Jõuluvana himself, assisted by his trusty päkapikk. Persuaded the room was filled with good girls and boys, Jõuluvana distributed special gifts to each child. In return, we serenaded Jõuluvana with a song or two and filled the room with good cheer until the sun set and it was time once again to go home.

Enjoy these holiday photos of many of the members of our Kesk Florida Eesti Selts family who joined us today.

We look forward to seeing you again in the New Year! In the meantime, we wish you all Rõõmsaid Jõulupühi and all the joys of the holiday season as you celebrate in your own special ways.

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

This just in: Santa Claus/Jõuluvana will be stopping in during our traditional Christmas/Jõulu luncheon. We are posting this “save the date” notice so you can be sure to continue on your best behavior as you wait for Santa Claus/Jõuluvana to arrive.

Sunday, December 4, 2022

2:00 pm

Our new location this year:

Morton Village Clubhouse in Heinar and Astrid Normet’s residential community in Bradenton, Florida.

5400 34th St W

Bradenton, FL 34210

Directions to the Clubhouse: Enter the Morton Village driveway at 5400 34th Street W. Go West. At the second drive, turn right. The Clubhouse will be straight ahead.

Thank you, Astrid and Heinar, for providing the site for this event!

We will be offering a traditional holiday meal with pork roast and verivorst. Some of our members have let us know they are bringing hapukapsad (sauerkraut), kartulisalat (potato salad), and ahjukartulid (roast potatoes). For dessert, piparkoogid will be placed on the children’s table; and a birthday cake will celebrate the birthday of our esteemed KFES laekur (treasurer), Heikki Joonsar. Please bring your favorite adult beverages. Non-alcoholic beverages, coffee and water will be provided.

We invite your contributions of salads, desserts and your own family holiday favorites to round out our festive luncheon.

The cost is the same as 2021: $35 per adult, children 12 and under are free.

So we may plan to accommodate all our guests, RSVP by Monday, November 28, 2022, to Heikki Joonsar, Treasurer/Laekur of the Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts, and let him know the following:

(a) Your name and the names of guests accompanying you

(b) The names and ages of your children. Please bring a wrapped gift for each child so Jõuluvana may make this a happy occasion for them too.

(c) What you plan to bring for our luncheon smorgasbord

(d) Santa’s elves–Jõuluvana päkapikud–always welcome volunteers to help us host this spirited and beloved holiday gathering. Please let us know we may count you among our helpful elves/päkapikud. There are no jobs too big nor too small with many helpful hands! Please let Heikki Joonsar know if you are able to help with set-up, service during the afternoon and/or clean-up.

To make check-in easier, please make your payment in advance through Zelle to kfes1918@yahoo.com or by mailing a check made payable to “Estonian Society of Central Florida” to Heikki Joonsar. His address is below. Heikki will also accept payment at the door.

Mr. Heikki Joonsar

KFES Treasurer

14032 89th Ave

Seminole, FL 33776

Event details are communicated through email, Facebook (Kesk Florida Eestlased–a private account), and this website.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Estonian Society of Central Florida Board/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Juhatus

Dear friends,

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 communicates information about its activities through the Kesk Florida Eestlased Facebook account, this blog (floridaestos.blog), and email. To have your name added to the email list, please send an email to Heikki Joonsar, Treasurer/Laekur of the Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts, at kfes1918@yahoo.com.

Estonian Society of Central Florida Board/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts Juhatus