Ed Mohlenhoff knows his frogs. The co-chair of the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary gala said the wonderous insect sounds filling the Main Greenhouse of Planting Fields on Friday, March 31 were frogs. To the uninitiated, it sounded like a host of crickets, but greenhouse manager Paul Dose confirmed that although he has never seen one - the chirpers are the Northeastern tree frog that inhabits the greenhouse.

Those delightful tree frogs were the orchestral background to this year's kickoff for the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center's Eighth annual Spring Gala benefit, the major fundraiser of the year, to be held on Saturday, April 29 at Nassau Country Club.

In attendance at the kickoff were this year's Gala co-chairs, MichŽle Bahnik Mercier and Edward C. Mohlenhoff.

Mr. Mohlenhoff wanted people to know that tickets to the gala are available to the public. Additional information regarding tickets, sponsorships in the evening's dinner journal, and the donation of silent auction items is available by calling the Sanctuary at 922-3200.

He said this year the prestigious Legacy of Conservation Awards will be presented to three individuals who have been long-time staunch supporters of the Sanctuary's mission. The honorees this year are Robert B. Catell, Chairman and CEO of KeySpan Corporation, the Honorable Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York State Assemblyman, and the Honorable Carl L. Marcellino, New York State Senator.

"We are doing a journal, a silent auction and a raffle at the event. Andrew Pascoe is doing the flowers. He is fantastic," said Mr. Mohlenhoff and added, "If you are not on the mailing list, please call the sanctuary at 922-3200 to receive an invitation."

This is the first year the TRS gala will have a journal. Animal lover Alan Roth has been working on selling ads for the TRS Gala journal. He said they visited Mark Marone's store, "Parrots of the World" on the South Shore. "You know him from the Martha Stewart Show where he does Pet Stop. We thought he would be a good donor for the Journal. He accepted the invitation.

Mr. Mohlenhoff said the gala will feature a sit-down dinner, silent auction and light jazz by Bob Merrill and his band. The Nassau Country Club was famous 50 years ago as the place young socialites met to dance and the restored wood paneled reception room retains that elegance. The evening includes floral arrangements by Andrew Pascoe - something everyone looks forward to each spring. They are always a fantasy creation. The corporate co-chairs are Rick Lazio and David J. Manning. The Gala Committee is currently hard at work soliciting sponsorships for the evening's inaugural dinner journal.

Additional information regarding tickets, sponsorships in the evening's dinner journal, and the donation of silent auction items is available by calling the Sanctuary at 922-3200.