At the annual evening awards gala of the Friends of Sagamore Hill at the historic national park on Saturday, aug. 26, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto summed up the need to recognize Roger Bahnik, owner and founder of Mill-Max Mfg. of Oyster Bay. The supervisor said, "We have to enhance the spirit that makes the Town of Oyster Bay, from the north shore to the south shore, such a great place to live and raise a family." He said the spirit behind the success of the town is people like Mr. Bahnik. "Giving of yourself for the good of the community, you are talking about Roger Bahnik," he said.

Supervisor Venditto said, "I wish I had a buck for every time Roger Bahnik, without any fanfare, agenda or motive, has reached out on his time - he has time and patience - to speak about something because he gives a darn about our hamlet. I don't think I've ever thanked you." He then thanked Mr. Bahnik and added, that some of his ideas "saved my bacon." Councilwoman Rose Marie Walker presented Mr. Bahnik with a town proclamation.

Mr. Bahnik stood at the supervisor's side taking in his words with his head down listening and said with humor, "It's really nice they didn't read it," he of the proclamation.

NYS Assemblyman Chuck Lavine, (Democrat,13th District) did give Mr. Bahnik's considerable credits and took the moment to consider the office TR held saying, "the current president is trying to redefine that office."

Assemblyman Lavine said TR was a great leader in conserving the environment. He added, "It is impossible to not stand here without appreciating the brilliance and magic of TR. We are also here to honor Roger Bahnik, CEO of Mill-Max Mfg., who has chaired numerous Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary galas."

The Evening Awards Gala program gave a summary of Mr. Bahnik's career. "Roger Bahnik was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland. He founded Mill-Max Mfg. Corp. in 1971 and in 1980 moved the company and his family to Oyster Bay. Roger has a strong sense of community responsibility and involvement and has been active in numerous projects for the betterment of the community including the Doubleday Babcock Senior Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich."

In his speech, John Hammond, president of the Friends of Sagamore Hill, credited Mr. Bahnik's ties to Theodore Roosevelt for his receiving the Man in the Arena Award for Public Service. He said quoting TR, that it is not the critic who counts, but the man who gets the job done - the man in the arena. He related that comment to the work of the Rotary Centennial project which took on the responsibility to have the A. Phimister Proctor equestrian statue of Theodore Roosevelt cast and brought to Oyster Bay. Mr. Hammond praised the members of the committee including Andy Tini, Joe Reilly, and Mike Rich for their work in making it happen. He said, Rotarian Fritz Coudert's generous pledge got the ball rolling, but said nothing was happening until December 2004 when they received a donation from Lori and Roger Bahnik. "This was the catalyst for the project," The next problem - of where to place the statue when it arrived - was solved when "Roger came through with a place - the corner of Pine Hollow Road and Berry Hill Road in the corner of the Boys & Girls Club site."

Mr. Hammond said the project was not without controversy from many of Oyster Bay's critics. He said Mr. Bahnik's simple comment about his support for the project was, "It was the right thing to do."

The program cited Mr. Bahnik's current involvement: "Roger is now active in the committee to bring a historic-themed carousel to Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay." A project which some members of the community are questioning in terms of its use of open space in a park dedicated to TR, the first conservation president.

The program summed up Mr. Bahnik's role saying, "Roger brings energy, dedication, intelligence and vision to every project he becomes involved in and it is with great admiration that the Friends of Sagamore Hill wish to recognize his unique dedication and community [spirit]."

There was appreciation for Lori Bahnik too. Mr. Hammond said he knew her from the breakfast club that met for many years at the Sweet Shop on South Street in Oyster Bay. He said, "She joined the boys for coffee and conversation" and said he saluted the partnership between Lori and Roger and congratulated her enthusiasm for the equestrian project.

"We were changing the world and we knew all the answers," said Mr. Hammond of the group. "And she still does," responded Roger.

Mr. Hammond presented Mr. Bahnik with his award and Mr. Bahnik took centerstage saying, "Everyone has been very, very generous with praise. I'm somewhat overwhelmed. I'm honored to be standing here and saluting the Friends of Sagamore Hill and all they do to promote this site."

He said TR was the first president to establish the US as a superpower, and pointed out that the Theodore Roosevelt Association continues to reach out worldwide, with a new executive director, Kathal Nolan, from Ireland and an honoree from Switzerland, himself.

Mr. Bahnik said while the honor has a special meaning for him as do the flattering words written about him - he said there were other supporters of the statue in the community - donors large and small all deserved recognition. He added, "I am happy to be involved in so many local endeavors and will continue to do so."

Assemblyman Lavine quoted TR as saying, "The country can't be a good place for anyone of us to live in unless we make it a better place for all of us to live in." He said Roger has done that.

Mr. Bahnki thanked him for his words but quipped, "I'm a registered Republican," to which Mr. Lavine commented, "No one's really perfect."

The afternoon was one filled with good humor, starting with the welcome by Sagamore Hill Superintendent Greg Marshall who proved to be a relaxed and humorous speaker as he addressed the Friends of Sagamore Hill annual dinner meeting. He acknowledged the partnership groups that together support the memory of Theodore Roosevelt: the Friends of Sagamore Hill and the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary, as well as his staff at Sagamore Hill.

TR impersonator Jim Foote used the words of the 26th president to represent an acknowledgement of the work of honoree Roger Bahnik. He said of Mr. Bahnik, "Any man who has helped uplift any part of the community, uplifts all the community."

He said to look at the program notes telling the story of Mr. Bahnik's career and said, "By Jove that's a story," and added, "I thank you heartily for your good works, Mr. Bahnik."

Then switching to speak in his own words, he said, "Just so you know I know there's a difference." He said several years ago, Congress was talking about closing 200 national parks and historic sites. That didn't go well with the community and people started to ask how they could help. "Supervisor John Venditto asked the superintendent, 'How can the town be of help?' There was a neighbor in Cove Neck who had his realtors call Superintendent Vidal Martinez to ask how much the estate would cost, thinking to buy it for his own gain. This man recently wanted to construct a 60-foot tower saying that Long Island needs an icon. My friends Sagamore Hill - that's our icon."

There were calls of "Jim Foote for president," from the crowd.

Mr. Foote qualified his comment that Sagamore Hill was an icon saying, "I was in North Dakota at a huge program about the Lewis & Clark expedition. There were 300 children there and when they asked 'where do you live?' I said, 'I live seven miles from Theodore Roosevelt's home, Sagamore Hill, in Oyster Bay. Trust me, people don't know where Sea Cliff is," he said of his home village.

"At Sagamore Hill, I ask visitors where they come from and they come from all over the United States. If that's not an icon - what is," he asked rhetorically.

John Hammond, FSH chairman said the mission of the FSH is to raise funds for Sagamore Hill and to protect it, enhance their programs, get volunteers, and to advocate TR's legacy and memory. He said they have given $25,000 for the restoration of the porch; funds for the restoration of its gold eagle emblem; funds for a national grant for the Junior Ranger program; they sponsor the Nassau/Suffolk Police Award program; sponsor the TR Public Speaking Contest; sponsor the John Gable Lecture Series; and support the volunteer services group. He said, "The Friends of Sagamore Hill was the recipient of the first Take Pride in America Award."

He said the Friends are dependent on membership dues; the supporters at the annual dinner event; and grants - for which he thanked Assemblyman Rob Walker - for a membership grant of $3,000.

"This annual gala is our major fundraiser of the year," said Mr. Hammond.

He said the FSH is a site specific chapter of the TRA. "All funds raised go to activities here at Sagamore Hill," he said. Being a member of the FSH means being a full member of the TRA and getting the TRA Journal quarterly.

Mr. Hammond invited guests to enjoy the buffet dinner from the Maine Maid Inn, as the formal part of the evening ended. There had been a generous presentation of hors d'oeuvres during the reception - guests were well-treated by the Friends of Sagamore Hill.