German-Americans thankful for DANK chapter in Southland

Martin Walthier was just looking for a good deal on a flight to his German homeland when he was led to a cultural club, DANK - the German American National Congress.

In 1967, he joined the DANK Chicago South chapter, and within a year he was eligible for a trip. His family have been active members ever since.

Walthier stayed because he enjoyed the cultural entertainment and was proud to build up his culture "so we do not forget where we came from," he said in a voice still thick with his native accent.

This weekend, DANK and its Chicago South chapter will celebrate their 50th anniversaries with the theme "50 years of pride with future opportunities."

While the 35-cent bottles of beer and charter flights may be a thing of the past, club members say they still love the camaraderie, the traditional music and dances, and the language.

The national organization was created on the North Side of Chicago in early 1959. But with lots of Germans settling in Bremen and Frankfort townships, it quickly became apparent that a Chicago South chapter was needed. It is still the only German organization on the South Side.

DANK Chicago South is one of the few chapters that has its own clubhouse, located on South Center Road near Frankfort. The chapter draws members from all over the south suburbs with its pig roasts, May Day festivals, Oktoberfests, Christmas dances and winter carnivals. And you don't even have to be German to participate.

"We make everyone feel welcome," Orland Park resident Gary Dietz said. "It's great to sit at the bar and hear their stories. It's nice to meet people and share our ancestry."

Like Dietz, Anita Walthier, of Oak Lawn, grew up with the club as a child and learned to make potato salad 200 pounds at a time. She is now co-director of the German language school in Tinley Park.

"People see it is fun and want to be part of it," Walthier said. "We like to try new things. We're always looking for new ideas and new ways to keep the culture alive."

DANK Chicago South is 400 members strong, but Martin Walthier knows the club's future is up to its youth.

"We have to get young folks back into it. That is our goal," he said. "You shouldn't forget our heritage. You shouldn't forget our history."

Chapter president William Schmidt knows he has lost a lot of his heritage. His great-grandparents immigrated to America in the 1850s.

"Kids today have no idea what (the earlier generations) went through. I love getting involved in projects to learn more about my heritage," he said.

CELEBRATE DANK'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

National convention: Today to Sunday at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, Tinley Park

Dinner dance: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday at DANK Chicago South clubhouse, 25249 S. Center Road, Frankfort

Gala banquet and dance: 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Holiday Inn Convention Center, Tinley Park

For more information: visit www.dankchicagosouth.org or call (815) 838-1619.