ANDREA GALABINSKI

nfmneighbor@breezenewspapers.com

You can have all the traditional food, beer and fun at the German American Social Club of Cape Coral Bavarian Gartenfest this Sunday.

In this land, it is also called “Gardenfest” but in German, “Gartenfest” is the proper way to go.

There will be schnitzel, chicken platters, German brats, potato pancakes and more, according to club president Hubert Prem.

Domestic and German beer will be on hand, along with wine and soda, arts & crafts, souvenir booths and more.

“There is lots of fun enjoying the music and good German food,” he said.

The event takes place from noon to to 5 p.m., and it will be continued inside the clubhouse from 5 to 9 p.m. with a band.

Admission is $3 for adults, children under 12 free. There is also free parking.

Part of the celebration will be honoring Pine Island-based Operation Open Arms, which had major losses in the recent fire at the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce office.

“We were shocked by the fire that destroyed not only the chamber, but the calling cards for the homecoming or vacationing troops, so our past president Gerhard Veith had the idea to replace those gift and telephone cards.”

They will present a check of more than $500 to help replace some of the other lost calling cards for military personnel.

Operation Open Arms is a nationally acclaimed military outreach program founded in 2005 and is the only 501(c)3 public Florida charity honored by two sitting United States Presidents.

The German American Social Club of Cape Coral is at 2101 Southwest Pine Island Rd. For information call 783-1400 or go to gasc-capecoral.com.