Community

Slide Show: Fish Fry raises $15K for American Legion post

KATHARINE SCHROEDER PHOTO | A fish fry in Greenport Sunday benefited the American Legion post restoration efforts.

When it comes to supporting the renovation of the American Legion Burton Potter Post 185 in Greenport, lots of people seem to find a reason to step up.

Some lend a hand because they’re veterans, while others come to support veterans in their family. But others come just because they remember the Post’s many community events from the past so fondly.

And for those reasons, many Greenport residents took time from their busy schedules Sunday for the Old Fashioned Fish Fry at Hanff’s Boatyard in Greenport, where organizers were ecstatic about the nearly $15,000 raised to help support the restoration effort.The Post, originally built in 1953, is in need of a new roof, flooring and other improvements

READ MORE BELOW SLIDESHOW

[nggallery id=93 template=galleryview]

From 1 to 7 p.m. there was a steady stream of people who were unanimous in pronouncing the event a success, and the food excellent.

“We’d still be there if we hadn’t run out of food,” said George Costello, who organized the event.

Thanks to fishermen like Ian Crowley and Sid Smith, there was plenty of fried fish with hush puppies, cole slaw, vegetables and dessert.

Caterer Daniel Mannix of Greenport supervised volunteers who prepared the food. Greenporter Paul Henry was hard at work slicing fresh tuna and making his own “special sauce” for sushumi.

For $20 ($10 for children), it was an afternoon to sit by the water on a barge or  inside Wooden Boat Works, where folks enjoyed the cordiality of a community event on Fathers Day. Music was provided by the Irish Setters and The Pipes & Drums of Saffron United , and the Greenport Village pirates even stopped by for a visit.

Local Girl Scouts helped serve the food and local artists contributed prints and paintings for sale. There was also a 50-50 raffle to bring more money to the coffers.

Multiple local businesses donated everything from fresh tuna and sushumi from Braun’s; cupcakes from Butta Cakes; brownies from Miche Bacher; soda from Burger Construction; beer from the Greenport Brewery and paper goods and condiments from Ted Laoudis of Mavila Foods and Skipper’s Restaurant. Others, including Whiskey Wind, Mullen Motors and Bridge Hunt of North Ferry, provided cash donations to sponsor the event.

[email protected]