NEWINGTON
Town Crier
A reason to rejoice
Friday, April 20, 2012
High flying
Polish American Club celebrates 90 years By ERICA SCHMITT STAFF WRITER
Rob Heyl | Staff
Newington s Chris Beauford competes in the long jump during the Indians 80-62 loss to Southington Tuesday. See story and photos on Pages 10 and 11.
INSIDE:
When it was built back in 1922, the Polish American Club on Wilson Avenue served as a social gathering place for those who lived in the neighborhood, which was known back in that day as “Little Poland.” Those early club members might never have imagined that their beloved institution would remain such a fixture of the community that it would stand long enough to celebrate its 90th anniversary, as it did last week. Mayor Steve Woods served as guest speaker at an anniversary celebration last Thursday and enjoyed a traditional Polish dinner alongside about 100 of the club’s 325 current members, catered by Michael’s of New Britain. We’ve progressed from just people in the
neighborhood to helping people in the town and we want to continue moving onward to our 100th year,” said Andre Brideaux, who is on the club’s Board of Directors and has been a member for over 30 years. Now, 60 percent of the club’s membership is of Polish descent, while in the old days, it was strictly Polish people. Just as they expanded their membership over the years, the PAC has expanded their See POLISH, Page 5
Volume 53, No. 12
Free
Big K Flea Market set to open, Page 3
Grace Episcopal holds eco-fair, Page 2
St.Mary School receives $200K gift, Page 4
State tax credits prove effective, Page 8