James Foote, TR impersonator arrived at the present Oyster Bay Railroad Station on Oct. 29 on his way to commemorate the Oyster Bay Rail Road Museum's designation to the National Register of Historic Places. NYS Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Places Bernadette Castro was there to greet him with two granddaughters, Gracie and Georgia Keogh. The ladies stole the show. Gracie, who attends the Portledge School has been given an assignment to do a report on TR. She was out gathering research that day.

Together the four rode in a horse-drawn carriage to the former station to be present as a plaque was unveiled that announced the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Oyster Bay Railroad station, home station to TR when he used Sagamore Hill as his summer White House, is in the process of being restored. Ms. Castro said with its historic designation it is now in line for matching grants from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The "Colonel," as TR liked to be called, was met by members of the Nassau-Suffolk Horsemen's Association, including Bill Uhlinger and Patrick Falci, representing General Joe Wheeler. Greeting him were representatives of Sagamore Hill National State Park rangers Jean Quinn and Howard Ehrlich and Chief of Interpretation Charles Markis.

David Morrison, chair of the Oyster Bay Railroad Restoration Committee welcomed guests inside the station for speeches and the presentation of the designation to Oyster Bay Historical Director Tom Kuehhas by Commissioner Castro. The museum and the Friends of Locomotive #35 are under the auspices of the Oyster Bay Historical Society.

LIRR President James Dermody presented the key to the station to John Venditto on Feb. 18, 2005. On Oct. 29 Mr. Dermody said, "This is the beginning, not the end of the story," the LIRR will continue to help in the restoration work. Later, Commissioner Castro thanked Mr. Dermody for handing over the key to the station, saying, "Just think how much money it would have cost us."

Ben Jankowski, chairman of the Friends of Locomotive #35 said that the station would be an educational tool to convey the message of those who came before us.

Dr. John Staudt was introduced as the TRA associate director, the international organization that promotes the image of TR, an American icon. Dr. Staudt said the station was the point of entry to TR's home and summer White House. He called TR a great citizen, reformer and one who changed the country and reshaped the world. He said he had the willingness to wear out rather than rust out. TR wrote to his son Kermit that the really important thing in this life was his wife and children "from the standpoint of happiness."

Town Councilman Angelo Delligatti, former town supervisor said, "Theodore Roosevelt is an inspiration for anyone who has ever served in government. There is no finer example than President Theodore Roosevelt. It reminds all of us that we have a role model to strive for."

Senator Carl Marcellino said, "This is a great day. We are honoring one of my personal heros, Jim Foote, who does so much to keep TR's memory alive."

Commissioner Castro said the day was important historically, not just for Oyster Bay but for New York State. She gave a synopsis of TR's career, starting as the youngest assemblyman, at age 22, who went on to serve as governor. He didn't fit the political mold and so to get him out of New York politics they "kicked him upstairs" to run for vice president, Ms. Castro said. "The Lord had other plans for him. When McKinley was shot and TR was notified he was to be president, he ended up being a great President of the United States. He created parkland, the Forest Service, preserved open space and was a hunter while being a conservationist. He was a complicated man who survived the death of his wife and mother on Valentines Day. And, he loved Oyster Bay, one of the greatest hometowns in the United States."

James Foote, dressed as TR, and speaking without a microphone recalled the words of the president saying, "May we run the risk of wearing out not rusting out." He said of the soon to be restored railroad station, "Make it a 'bully' museum for the entire community."

When it was time to go outside for the unveiling of the plaque, local Cub Scouts joined the dignitaries at the picture-taking. The Scouts included James Sepulveda, Stephen Valvianos, Joey Sheehan, Peter Palczewski, Alex Martin, Matthew Palczewski, Christopher Roerden and Steven Sweet.

The dignitaries climbed back into the horse-drawn carriages for the ride to the corner of Berry Hill Road and Pine Hollow Road for the unveiling of the statue of Theodore Roosevelt. They were joined at the Derby-Hall Bandstand with the marchers, who included members of the Quentin Roosevelt American Legion Post #4, the Oyster Bay Fire Company and the Nassau Suffolk Horsemen's Association.

Members of the Rotary Club of Oyster Bay were in the second carriage, including President Judith Wasilchuk, Fritz Coudert III, and last year's president, Donna Goyena.

Assemblyman Chuck Lavine helped Oyster Bay Civic Association President Marie Knight into the carriage. Mr. Morrison had acknowledged her part in helping the station restoration committee of which she is a member.