For the 51st consecutive year New York State's League of Masonic Clubs will join with Oyster Bay's Matinecock Lodge 806 of Free and Accepted Masons to honor President Theodore Roosvelt's Masonic Birthday on Saturday, April 18. (In Freemasonry, a man is "born" when he is "raised" to the sublime degree of Master Mason.)

The Annual Commemorative Service and Pilgrimage opens at 10 a.m. with coffee and cakes at Matinecock Masonic Temple on 14 East Main Street in Oyster Bay. The service follows at 11 a.m. in the Lodge room, where the popular entertainer James Foote will bring "TR" to life with faithful renderings of his words and manner. Mr. Foote has made a career out of his uncanny resemblance to one of America's great presidents.

The service will be followed by a Pilgrimage to nearby Youngs Cemetery where a wreath will be placed on Roosevelt's grave. Norman Youngs, a member of the Youngs family, that owned the cemetery, and a current member of Matinecock Lodge, will participate.

"This annual event," said Raymond E. Bender, president of the league, "offers Masons and their loved ones a marvelous opportunity to honor a great American and great American Masonic Brother."

Roosevelt's Masonic career did not begin until after he was elected Vice President of the United States. He was 43 when he was initiated, passed and raised in Matinecock Lodge in his home town of Oyster Bay.

His gardener at the time was Master of the Lodge that made him a Master Mason. A very active Mason, Roosevelt was made an honorary member of a number of lodges during his Masonic career. (Suffolk County's Department of Parks will be staging a Centennial Celebration of Roosevelt and his Rough Riders starting this month and continuing through October 1998.)

Immediately following the ceremonies the League of Masonic Clubs will conduct its annual luncheon/installation of officers at Uwe's restaurant, 73 South Oyster Bay Road, Oyster Bay. The cost of the dinner is $16 per person. To make reservations write: Richard W. Loud, chairman of the event, at 15 Lee Court, Massapequa, NY 11758, or call him at 796-0918. For more information call 725-1860.