Paul Drum To Be Honored By Steve Bellone at 3rd Annual 'Pirate & Mermaid' Breakfast

GREENPORT, NY — First, he was Greenport Mayor for the Day. Next, Greenport's Paul Drum was dubbed Police Chief of the Day, with a proclamation from Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell declaring "Paul Drum Day" across town during the annual East End Maritime Museum and Marine Foundation's Greenport Maritime Festival last year.

And now, to mark the 2016 Maritime Festival, Paul will celebrate the 3rd Annual Paul Drum Pirate & Mermaid Breakfast, to be held Sunday, with open seating from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Front Street Station in Greenport, with a new honor.

"After his many 'occupations, this year, Paul will be named Honorary County Executive for the Day," said Paul's mom, Sharon Sailor.

The honor will be presented by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who will attend the breakfast, she said.

Other elected officials slated to attend include Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski, Southold Town Councilwoman Jill Doherty, and New York State Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo.

Tickets to the breakfast cost $15, with proceeds to 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.

Sailor 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."

Her mother's loving heart filled with pride, 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.

Front Street Station is located at 212 Front Street in Greenport. To purchase tickets and for additional information, click here.