Logan Karr receives his gift from Jõuluvana (Erkki Taada).  Photos: Lisa A. Mets.  Floridaestos.wordpress.com

Jõuluvana (Santa) or verivorst (Christmas sausage)? What were our members' priorities for this year's holiday celebration? This year, both Jõuluvana and verivorst returned to the Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts for our annual Christmas celebration.

Nearly 40 members gathered together for our Christmas celebration on Sunday, December 11, 2016, in a new location: the Fellowship Hall at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Seminole.

Kersti Linask, KFES President, welcomed everyone and offered a poetry reading. Pastor Priit Rebane offered words of Christmas inspiration and a blessing for our meal.

Santa Erkki Taada and our very own Elf Kaie Põhi Latterner.

Have you been good this year? Jõuluvana knows who’s been naughty and nice! Jõuluvana and his very musically talented Päkapikk (Elf) led us in merriment. Some members came prepared with songs, poems and other entertainment to earn their gifts.

If you are in the St. Petersburg area for Christmas, please join us as we worship together on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2016, at 2:00 pm in Trinity Lutheran Church, 401 Fifth Street North, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701. The service, with Estonian hymns and English sermon, will be led by Pastor Priit Rebane. A brief period of fellowship over refreshments follows the service.

Please visit floridaestos.wordpress.com to view our KFES Events Calendar or Monthly Meetings link for events in 2017 and plan to join us. We will welcome you warmly.

In the meantime, the members of the Estonian Society of Central Florida/Kesk Florida Eesti Selts wish you all a very Merry Christmas and joyous New Year! Rõõmsaid Jõulu Pühi ja Head Uut Aastat!

Lisa A. Mets

KFES asepresident

Floridaestos.wordpress.com