Montville’s Polish-American Citizens Club is celebrating 75 years with a gala weekend of activities. Members are marking the milestone with three day’s worth of celebrating at with Polish foods and music at the club, located at 85 Maple Avenue. They encourage friends and supporters to join in.
The Polish-American club was started by a handful of Polish men back in the Depression to help members help themselves and to provide fellowship, according to club historian James Radgowski. The club has grown to over 500 members of many nationalities. It has served as both a social club for members and their families and as a civic-minded organization in town.
The celebrations start with a traditional Polish dinner of pierogies, stuffed cabbage and kielbasa on Friday evening, August 29, and music by Steve Smiegel. Tickets for this event, served buffet style in the club lounge and bar, are $10 per person.
The big event is a dinner dance on Saturday, August 30, complete with proclamations and well wishes from the Connecticut Congressional delegation, the governor and local state representatives. Rep. Joe Courtney and Attorney General Blumenthal top the list of dignitaries expected to attend. State Rep. Kevin Ryan (D-139th) is master of ceremonies.
The club hopes to fill to its 225 person capacity for the dinner, said Ed Radgowski, chairman of the 75th anniversary committee, and James’ brother. Tickets are $25. The Good Times Polka Band, which regularly performs at the Polish Home in Hartford and other venues, will provide the dance music.
Thursday, August 28 is the deadline to purchase tickets for either of the dinners. These can be purchased at the Polish Club through Thursday evening.
On Sunday, the club is hosting a family picnic in its outdoor pavilion, providing fun and games for both kids and adults. There will be no charge for hamburgers, hot dogs and fries, soft drinks and beer for adults. Music will be performed by Gemini.
The Polish American Club, one of Montville’s institutions, is one of a handful of Slavic clubs remaining in Southeastern Connecticut. It still is considered a men’s organization, with men eligible for voting membership and the $40 annual dues. But many women get involved with club activities, pointed out Ed Radgowski, who thanked that Betty Piersa, the wife Joseph, a former club president, for her efforts on the anniversary committee. Fellow committee member Pat Dunion also has been busy selling tickets for the gala dinners.
The club amended its bylaws eight years ago to allow for its first non-Slavic president, so it could elect Bruce Martel, who still serves as president. Martel is credited with initiating many capital improvements to the club.
The current complex includes the hall, where the dinner and dance will take place. Over the years, the hall has been used for meetings, weddings, anniversaries, showers and other events. Downstairs, there is the lounge and bar, kitchen and offices for club records.
An outdoor pavilion, completed in 1979, can be rented out for family picnics and other events. It also is where the club holds its annual Lobster Luau in July.
The club has sponsored many athletic teams over the years. Besides his family’s involvement, Ed remembers that it was the sports leagues and games organized by multiple Polish clubs in the region that appealed to him. His grandfather, Joseph, was a founding trustee back in 1932, and his father, Stanley, served as club president for a few terms.
As Little League and other youth sports leagues have grown over the years, the club’s role has shifted to sponsoring town teams. The club also lets the town’s youth football, baseball and other sports leagues to hold their meetings there, Ed said.
As a membership club, the Polish-American Club is open seven days a week, from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays, and from 12 noon to 1 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Bar tenders are on hand.
With five television screens, the bar and lounge are a popular place for its members to watch sports.
“One side of the room will be the Yankees game; the other side of the room will be the Red Sox. There will be some friendly rivalry back and forth,” Ed said.
The club members hold monthly meetings the second Sunday afternoon of every month, except for holidays, with June, July and August off.
To buy tickets for Friday or Saturday’s events, call the club at 848-7287.