Before the Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk-Florida Eesti Selts (KFES)) breaks for summer hiatus, members and friends gather for their traditional early Jaanipäev picnic and celebration of April birthdays. This year over 25 members enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together on Saturday, April 22, 2017.
This year, the celebration Estonian Society of Central Florida Celebrates Early Jaanipäev and April Birthdays was extra special with eight birthdays. Both born on April 18 – only 94 years apart – we celebrated Leena Aare (94) and Brook Cabrera (1).
We also celebrated the April birthdays of Maare and Jaan Kuuskvere, Silva Jensen, Rein Männik, Monika Orumaa Craig, and Triin Karr.
We found a terrific home for this year’s picnic in the condominium clubhouse and recreation center at the winter home of Inne and Heikki Joonsar. The recreational center includes shuffleboard courts and a swimming pool. Though there were no swimmers this day, we enjoyed a few games of shuffleboard. What fun!
KFES plays shuffleboard on April 22, 2017, at Seminole, FL .
KFES provided grilled sausages (an Estonian Jaanipäev tradition). Members brought mightily delicious contributions to the potluck luncheon table, and we thank brothers Tõnu and Jüri Toomepuu for the celebratory champagne! It was a great afternoon! Ja klaasid kokku kõlagu!
The Estonian Society of Central Florida (Kesk Florida Eesti Selts) is now on summer hiatus. Some snowbirds fly north and others fly to Estonia and beyond. We will reconvene in October 2017. In the meantime, if you are in our area, please let us hear from you. Some of us are here year round and we love to get together spontaneously. We wish you all a happy summer! Floridaestos.wordpress.com
Lisa A. Mets
Kesk Florida Eesti Selts
Photos by author
