Pirate & Mermaid Breakfast Raises Funds To Expand Kids' Horizons
GREENPORT, NY — It was a breakfast fit for pirates — and a bevy of mermaids, too.
A beloved tradition splashed back into Greenport this weekend during the Maritime Festival as the "Pirate & Mermaid Breakfast" unfolded.
The event was held Sunday at Front Street Station and featured a bountiful buffet breakfast, giveaways, and live music.
The breakfast is hosted and donated by Front Street Station to benefit the Paul Drum Life Experience Project, a 501(c)(3) that "affords all children the opportunity to participate in a vast and diverse array of activities and workshops designed to open their worlds and expand their horizons," according to the organization's website. "
"It was fantastic," said Sharon Sailor, owner of Front Street Station and co-founder with Arlene Klein of the Paul Drum Life Experience Project.
While the fundraising numbers weren’t as high as anticipated or hoped, Sailor said she understood; after COVID and weather issues in 2023, "The event needs to get its footing back, so people can remember how great and how much fun it is. We hope everyone had a fantastic time this year!"
This year, Paul was named honorary Southold Town Clerk for the Day. In past years, Paul Drum, who heads up the festivities, was honored as he was named "Senator for the Day," with a proclamation from New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo.
In 2019, Paul was honorary owner for the day of WLNG, 92.1 FM, a Sag Harbor-based radio station. The award was another honor for Paul, who was named Suffolk County Legislator for a day in 2018, dubbed New York State Assemblyman for the Day in 2017; Greenport Mayor for the Day in 2014, Police Chief for the Day in 2015 — former Town Supervisor Scott Russell also designated a Paul Drum Day in Southold that year — and Suffolk County Executive for the Day in 2016.
The Paul Drum Life Experience Project, which takes place each summer, offers free classes for children ages 7 to 12, meeting once a week for eight weeks during July and August. At each weekly session, a new theme of interest is presented and led by an expert in that particular field. Topics include organic gardening, forensic science, animal husbandry or rescue, journalism techniques, and more.
Recently, the Paul Drum Life Experience Project gave back to the community, presenting the annual Southold Police Kids' Funfest.
Members of the police department joined together for a morning of fun; children who attended were able to check out the mobile command center, highway vehicles, ATVs, and marine patrol vessels, as well as fingerprinting, trying on official regulation police gear, and demonstrations by motorcycle and bicycle officers.
The program grows with donations from the community, sponsors, and "fun-raisers" such as the "Pirate and Mermaid" breakfast, which is the largest fundraising event of the year, Sharon Sailor, Paul's mother, and owner of the eatery, said.
Sailor thanked all who have, for years, 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 has also said, in the past: "I am so proud of Paul and his enthusiasm for making a difference, for the program, and for getting the most out of each day."
Pirate & Mermaid Breakfast Raises Funds To Expand Kids' Horizons originally appeared on the North Fork Patch
