The Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts (KFES)) had many causes for celebration in December. For the first time in many years, Jõuluvana returned! More than 30 KFES members gathered on December 2, 2012, to welcome him in with song, and half the members—aged 3 to 90—performed for him in verse, song and dance.
Members were also deligh-ted to hear the news that the Estonian honorary consul corps in the United States was just expanded to Florida with the appointment of KFES vice president Lisa A. Mets as Honorary Consul for North Florida.
The official opening of the honorary consulate, which will be located at Lisa’s place of work at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, will be celebrated in spring during a visit by the Honorable Marina Kaljurand, Estonian Ambas-sador to the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the Honorable Sten Schwede, Estonian Consul General in New York.
Mid-December brought even more merry-making. Following Jõuluvana’s visit , KFES members gathered for their traditional verivorst-making day in the home of Väino and Leena Aare in Bradenton, Florida. The number of sausages stuffed far exceeded the number of cooks in the kitchen!
The day concluded with a celebration of hr. Aare’s 90th birthday. In fact, 2012 was a very special year for the lovely couple: Both Väino and Leena Aare celebrated their 90th birthdays and their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by friends and family on all occasions.
The congregation of the Estonian Lutheran Church-Central Florida will be worshipping together with Pastor Priit Rebane at 2:00 pm on Christmas Eve at Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 5th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida. A coffee hour will follow the service. If you are in the area, please join us!
Kesk Florida Eesti Selts
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