Photos: Hungry Crowd Turns Out for 3rd Annual Paul Drum Pirate & Mermaid Breakfast

GREENPORT, NY — A hungry crowd turned out for the 3rd Annual Paul Drum Pirate & Mermaid Breakfast Sunday at Front Street Station.

And this year, after being dubbed Greenport Mayor for the Day and Southold Police Chief of the Day, with a Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell declaring "Paul Drum Day", this year, Paul was honored with a proclamation from Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, honoring him for his work to share his love for the village's maritime legacy with children through educational programs.

Paul was named Honorary County Executive for the Day at the breakfast.

Elected officials who attended included Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski, Greenport Village Trustee Doug Roberts, Southold Town Councilwoman Jill Doherty, Councilman Jim Dinizio, Southold Town Assessor Kevin Webster, and New York State Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo. Also in attendance were former Greenport Mayor David Kapell and Matt Kapell, who helped to present Drum with his honor, and Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley.

Proceeds of the event will benefit the Paul Drum Nautical Education Fund, which was organized to teach young children about the rich maritime wonders of the North Fork, with a series of classes for kids offered free, teaching them about their natural environment.

Sharon Sailor, Paul's mom, said she wants to take the time to thank all the civil servants who have taken time out of their schedules "to support us, and especially Paul and his program. He sends an important message to the disabled community that no matter what your station or handicap one can always find a way to be involved and give back."

Sailor added, "Paul has given more back to the community than many with no 'handicaps' at all. He is passionate about being able to develop something that will leave a legacy, while at the same time, bettering where he lives."

The Paul Drum Nautical Education Fund, Sailor said, with the support of the EESM, "has done so much for our youth."

In addition to the free summer programs, for the first time this year, the program also awarded two full lifeguarding scholarships, based on blind essay; the contest was open to all North Fork students.
EESM and the PDNEP are not just about Greenport, Sailor said.

"The water, the sea, the aquaculture are what the whole East End is all about. We feel that via our small contribution, if we can educate even one youth to respect the water, use water safety skills, respect marine life, throw his/her trash in a can instead of the beach, then we have thrown a small stone in the pond of keeping our East End viable, clean and beautiful, one that will have many ripple effects," she said.

Reflecting, Sailor added, "Maybe even one day one of our scholarship recipients will be able to save a life — all because of a small seaport museum, a family restaurant, an outgoing Down syndrome boy, and a Pirate and Mermaid "Fun"raiser."

Front Street Station absorbs the cost of the breakfast in its entirety to allow all proceeds to be donated toward educational efforts, Sailor said.