Thursday, June 04
ADAMS —
On Friday night, I was given a partial tour of Adams and ended up at the Polish National Alliance.
Let me tell you, this isn't your dziadzia's lodge.
My visit came about after a mighty tasty bite at the new Stone Soup
café on Park Street and a couple of drinks at The Grille Restaurant,
and at the suggestion of my good Polish-American buddy Raja (yes,
that's a nickname).
Located just up the hill from The Grille on Victory Street, you can't
miss the red neon glow of the bold-lettered "PNA" — hence the
alliance's local name, pronounced the "puh-nah."
If for some reason you miss the sign, look for the giant brick building with a horseshoe game pit out front.
If you still miss it, maybe you shouldn't be out in the first place.
Raja and I walked up around 11-ish through about a dozen smokers and cellphone-users hanging out front.
One guy told us there was "some kind of '80s music deejay" inside.
Indeed, we did hear some throwback tunes being spun by Club Calco, the
vintage-glam disc jockey duo of Kelle Calco and Nevada Claire (www.myspace.com/clubcalco).
But our first stop before the dance floor was the bar. Along the lines
of other PNAs, VFWs and other fraternal clubs, PNA Lodge 1365 has
little to do with frills. But the bar is always well-stocked and lined
with televisions andpeople —Polish and non-Polish alike.
Being where we were, Raja ordered us shots of Jezynówka (pronounced
yedge-noov-ka), a Polish-style blackberry brandy, and a pitcher, yes, a
pitcher, of Guinness stout. The total cost here deserves a drum roll:
$12.
Despite a motley crew that ranged from old-timers, to jeans and
T-shirt-wearing 20-somethings, and several 1980s fashionistas of all
ages, people seemed mild-mannered and in it for a good time.
Raja and I played a round of pool for a buck at one of the tables in a
brightly lit lounge area, which also included tabletop shuffleboard and
a jukebox.
Afterward, we found our courage and made our way into the catering hall/dance floor, which had a stage.
Calco, a long-haired beret-wearing fashionable hippie sort, was a
contrast to the deer-in-twilight mural painted behind him. The deer
took on a headlight-stunned look as they gazed on at the hip- and
shoulder-shaking crowd before them, bathed in the multicolored swirl of
disco lights.
But I have to give it up to Club Calco. The music was good, ranging
from Prince and the Revolution's "Kiss" to "Pour Some Sugar on Me" Def
Leppard's notorious hairspray anthem.
Even "I-don't-dance" Raja was cutting it up out on the worn wood floor, as was just about everyone else.
Though the PNA has technically been a members club since its formation
in 1880, the modern lodge in Adams seems lax on the policy.
Later in the night, I noticed how friendly and social people were (even
the sober ones) and how multicultural and multigenerational the crowd
of at least 30 people on the dance floor became.
In fact, the PNA seems to keep itself a happening spot with Direct TV and Sunday night football and wireless Internet access.
It also regularly hosts events of all sorts, from Wednesday night
trivia with a $50 cash prize to live rock and dance music, to the
occasional comedy show, dinner, barbecue or charity event.
If you are able to get over its lackluster appearance and at times
rough-looking crowds, you might find the PNA offers a spark in the
town's nightlife. At least this past Friday night.
And to that, I say Na drowie!