Edith and Teddy Roosevelt presented the youngest person in the crowd to come on stage where a Teddy bear was presented after the story was told of how Roosevelt’s Teddy bears originated. The recipient of the bear was Theodore Yoder. Shown from left are Edith Roosevelt, portrayed by Julia Marple; Yoder; and Teddy Roosevelt, portrayed by Larry Marple. Photo by Sheila Miller.

By Deena DuFour
Chautauqua-Wawasee

SYRACUSE — Chautauqua‑Wawasee brought history to life Sunday, June 29 at Wawasee High School with a captivating performance of Teddy and Edith Roosevelt: In Their Own Words. The Wawasee High School Auditorium welcomed 172 guests, all excited to step back in time with two of America’s most iconic historical figures.

Portrayed by reenactors Larry and Julia Marple, Teddy and Edith Roosevelt delighted the crowd with a glimpse into their personal lives, beliefs, and contributions to American history. Larry Marple, as Teddy, also kicked off the evening’s Patriotic Pops Concert with a rousing welcome, setting the tone for a night of music and celebration at Oakwood Resort.

The earlier performance received rave reviews from attendees, who praised both the educational and entertaining nature of the program.

One highlight came when Larry Marple shared the charming story of the origin of what we all know as the Teddy bear. The story dates back to 1902, when President Roosevelt famously refused to shoot a captured bear while on a hunting trip in Mississippi. That moment of compassion inspired a political cartoon and eventually led to the creation of the first “Teddy” bear by Morris and Rose Michtom. The toy quickly became a national treasure, and the name stuck.

Larry and Julia Marple brought Teddy and Edith Roosevelt’s life alive in Syracuse, Sunday, June 29, during Chautauqua-Wawasee’s “In Their Own Words” presentation. Photo by Sheila Miller.

In a heartwarming twist, the youngest audience member, a boy named Theodore Yoder, was invited to the stage and presented with his very own bear just moments after the story was told. The coincidence of his name and the gift made for a magical, memorable scene. His wide grin lit up the room, perfectly capturing the spirit of Roosevelt’s legacy.

Thanks to the support of our dedicated volunteers, including new team member Sheila Miller, who captured several wonderful photos from the Patriotic Speakers performance. Our sincere gratitude goes to Larry and Julia Marple for bringing Teddy and Edith’s voices to life with such warmth and authenticity, and to everyone who helped make the event a success.

Later that evening, the celebration continued lakeside at the annual Patriotic Pops Concert. Attendance was record-breaking, and the setting at Oakwood Resort was beautiful, as always. The music delighted concertgoers and wrapped up a full day of community, history, and patriotic spirit. As Teddy would have said, “Bully!”

Special thanks to photographer Larry Baumgardt for capturing moments from the Pops and from Sheila Miller for the great Roosevelt pictures.

A picture of the famous cartoon where Teddy Bear got his name. Photo provided by Chautauqua-Wawasee.