In honor of President’s Day, Ted Zalewski, an actor who is a presenter for the Vermont Humanities Council, presented a one-man performance, impersonating our 26th U.S. President, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. The animated actor marched into the auditorium to the tune, “Hail to the Chief.” As an self-respecting politician would do, he worked the crowd, shaking hands all around the room. Supposedly, he would have kissed babies had they been present. The event was sponsored by Billings Farm & Museum, a delightful place about which we have written much on previous occasions. Attendance was by reservation only, and those who showed up unannounced were accommodated only insofar as room would allow. The auditorium was completely full!

The presenter began exactly on time, and came well prepared. Teddy Bears were placed on the stage, and one lucky girl was given one to take home. (The “teddy bear” was named after him and told the story about how this came to be). One would think that 50 minutes would be too short a time to cover the lifetime of President Roosevelt, and they would be correct, of course. Yet, Mr. Zalewski was able to impart the essence of the man: his good-natured joviality, winning smile, and fearlessness (of which he referred). His life was not without tragedy, particularly the loss of his first wife, Alice.

In the postcard above, copyrighted 1903, the Roosevelt family is seen together, Theodore and Edith (his second wife), his daughter (Alice’s girl), and his five children with Edith. Postcard from the ephemera collection of Patricia Cummings.

I was particularly happy to have seen this program. Family folklore has it that my grandmother was a pastry chef in the Teddy Roosevelt household, before she married. My grandfather, I was once told, (on the other side of the family) rode with Teddy’s Rough Riders up San Juan Hill.

A quilt that I made in honor of Teddy Roosevelt and President William McKinley, whom he succeeded in office, is featured in one of my books.

Teddy Roosevelt (1858-1919) is considered to have been one of the great presidents of the United States.

Today was a very enriching experience, and the program, “Teddy Roosevelt: Mind, Body and Spirit,” was a wonderful way to begin President’s Week! Many thanks to Ted Zalewski, Billings Farm & Museum, the Vermont Humanities Council, and all of the fine folks who showed up to support this kind of educational programming. We enjoyed the humor associated with the program. At one juncture, “Teddy” quoted his son as saying that he always enjoyed being at the center of attention, you know … “the bride at every wedding; the corpse at every funeral.” This is a wonderful presentation!

Patricia Cummings

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