The Christmas Party (Jõulupidu) was once again held in Faith Lutheran Church in Mentor, Ohio. About 40 people attended the church service. Pastor Peeter Pirn held a Christmas service, Peeter Orro on organ and Lembi Veskimets on viola enhanced the service.
The Christmas party was held next door in the fellowship hall. Ann Holda managed the kitchen, that turned out a feast of verivorst, ham, sausage, sauerkraut, potatoes, pumpkin and cranberry relish and some vegan and gluten free alternatives. The dessert table was overflowing with kringel, apple cake (õunakook), cranberry fluff (roosamanna) and much more. About 55-60 attended the party.
Toomas Tubalkain started the party with a short speach, thanking the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Cleveland for helping finance the party. He then gave some highlights of the Estonian American National Council meeting in Philadelphia last month. He warned those gathered that he was on the fundraising committee and that people should budget their donations now and make them early, so that he does’nt need to call them.
Following the Chrismas Feast, the Eesti Jõuluvana (Santa Claus) came in and delivered a sackful of presents to all the children, young and old. There were piano performances, viola solos, poetry recitals and even a gospel rendition of “Go tell it on the mountain” by Pastor Pirn, his daughter Irene on guitar and members of his youth group singing.
Erika Puussaar thanked all of the volunteers who made the party possible and everyone left happy and full.
Submitted by
Toomas Tubalkain
