German American Social Club of Sarasota has danced through 75 years

Lakewood Ranch’s Angelika Wanless, who was born and raised in Munich, Germany, has a soft spot for German music.

Even though Wanless has Alzheimer's, which causes a gradual decline in memory loss and daily function, she continues to enjoy dancing with her husband, Loren, to the familiar sounds of her past.

“She remains happy and social despite forgetting her learned language, English,” Loren Wanless said. “To hear music and songs from life in Bavaria brings back those memories that are sometimes lost to her. Dancing is a way to express her joy of that music.” 

Photo by Madison Bierl

The German American Social Club of Sarasota (founded in 1951) is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Its goal is to create a place where German culture and traditions thrive. 

The club has 70 members who meet monthly from October to April. The club celebrated its 75-year milestone March 1 at Tara Country Club.

Loren and Angelika Wanless joined in 2001 and Loren has been the vice president since 2015. 

“This brings back a lot of those memories with the music we play and the songs we sing,” Loren Wanless said. 

Most of the members either come from German heritage, lived in Germany, or have some attachment to Germany. Loren Wanless lived in Munich when he was with the United States Air Force from 1978-1982. 

Photo by Madison Bierl

Lakewood Ranch’s Ingrid and Jerry Wach have been members of the club for 25 years. Ingrid, born and raised in Berlin, met Jerry when he was stationed in Berlin with the U.S. Army from 1955-59. They moved to the United States afterward. 

When Ingrid first joined the club, her first thought was “Wow, so many German people here!”  

Ingrid Wach said she still has a deep appreciation for German food and music and it is important to her to socialize with others who share the same joy.

“I don't know why, but sometimes certain songs make me homesick after so many years,” Ingrid Wach said.

Glen Tobiason is a club director. He is an American citizen who formerly lived in Germany for 35 years and joined the club because he wanted to continue using his German language skills. 

“This is much more than just a social club,” Tobiason said. “It's an extended family.”

Sarasota's Rosemarie Herke, 75, has been president of the club for the last 10 years. She moved to the United States when she was 22 years old as an au pair and never left. 

"You don't have to be German," Herke said. "We have Hungarians, we have Polish, we have Swiss, we have Austrians."