Annual brunch fundraiser to help $20K goal for beautification

The Bayport-Blue Point Chamber hosted its annual Beautification Champagne Brunch at Blackbirds Grille in Sayville on Sunday, April 27.

The event is one of the main fundraisers for the chamber’s Beautification Committee that manages the yearly decorations on the lampposts lining Bayport and Blue Point on Montauk Highway.

In the spring, flower baskets go up; in summer, flags are hung; and for the holiday season, wreaths and garland are placed.

“When we first began the beautification project nine years ago, along the highways and byways to liven up our two towns—one community, we held annual teas. Those teas quickly developed into yearly brunches held at Blackbirds,” said Carol Seitz-Cusack, who heads the Beautification Committee.

The annual costs of the nearly year-round decorating are approximately $20,000.

Local businesses in Bayport and Blue Point have been integral to the funding of these beautification initiatives, with generous and reliable donations made from the Johnny Mac Foundation, Little Angels, Raynor and D’Andrea, Therm-a-Trol, Inc. Chris Cook and Bryan Tarbox.

Founder and president of the Johnny Mac Foundation, Jennifer McNamara said, “Jon was a big supporter of this community and always felt the main roads should be as pretty as other communities. He would have loved the planters around town.”

The origin of the Beautification Committee came when Chris Cook of Razing Hair and Carol Seitz Cusack of Therm-a-Trol noted that the neighboring towns of Sayville and Patchogue enjoyed beautiful Montauk Highway scenes, with decorated lampposts in their respective areas, and wanted to provide the same for the Bayport-Blue Point community.

Seitz Cusack’s husband, Kevin, is actually responsible for watering the hanging plants each season and wakes up at 1 a.m. to water 132 planters.

In previous years, the fundraiser has collected over $2,000 towards the costs of the Beautification Committee.

“The brunch, comedy show, and the 125 Club help us to make up the difference in what’s raised,” said Seitz-Cusack.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.bayportbluepoint.com or at Razing Hair or Bayport Flower Houses.