It Was Picnic No. 106 For the Collett-McKays

     Saturday was Picnic Day for the nearly 200 Colletts and McKays who gathered at the family picnic grounds on the Gurneyville Road for dinner at noon and an afternoon of visiting and reminiscing. Although a bit of much-needed rain fell during the early morning hours, it did not penetrate the leaves of the maple trees under which the tables were placed, and by noon the grass in the grove was dry. It was a beautiful day.
     Mr. Wilbur McKay of New Burlington made a brief announcement concerning plans to set out some young trees on the grounds to replace those which have been damaged or destroyed during two severe wind storms which have hit the area in recent years. He then introduced the Reverend Mr. John Beers, of Bellbrook, who led the group in prayer.
     All were especially interested in meeting and visiting Mr. and Mrs. Brian H. Collett of Pretoria, Union of South Africa, who are in the United States studying our agriculture methods, particularly the growing of corn. Mr. Howard Doster, who is a professor in the College of Agriculture at Purdue University, met them at Purdue and invited them to go with him and his family to spend the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. William Doster (Professor Howard Doster's father), of Harveysburg and to attend the picnic.
     Mr. Collett's ancestors came to South Africa from England in 1820, and he was very much surprised and thrilled to find that there are Colletts in the United States with whome he may share a common ancestor. According to the family history three Collett brothers who were French Huguenots fled in 1660 during the religious persecution in France. One went to the mountains of France to escape, one went to England, and the third came to America. Mr. Collett is quite anxious to determine whether or not it was one of his ancestors who fled to England.
     A large family gathering with a picnic dinner is a whole new idea for these Colletts from South Africa and one which they will take home with them. They like everyone and everything here in America and declared that our country lives up to all their expectations. They leave soon for Pullman, Wash., for further study in the agriculture college there.
     Seven states in addition to Ohio were represented this year together with one foreign country. Those coming from other states were as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Greg Lafferty, Greg Jr., Dianne, Kim, and Holly, Valparaiso, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Marvin White and Joy and Mitzi Jackson of Carmel, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. D. Howard Doster, Susan, Daniel, and Ann of Lafayette, Ind.; Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Rowsey and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Rowsey, Sherri, Denise, and Jeanette of Huntington, W. Va.
     Mr. and Mrs. Everett L. Baugh, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Baugh, Adele, Steven and Jim, Rochester, Mich.; Mrs. Rachel Shambaugh Parker, Santa Ana, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. Martin H. Bartels, DeKalb, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Roger Vaughan and Brian Dale, Wichita Falls, Tex.; Mrs. Byron Leaser, Westfield, Ind.; and Miss Saundra Ames of Arcadia, Fla.

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Dorothy
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     Laura Collett will celebrate her 90th birthday Sept. 3 and with her customary energy and enthusiasm she will hold open house. She'll receive everyone at the Home Federal party room from 2 to 4 in the afternoon. We could scarcely believe she'll be 90. Talking to her on the phone you'd guess about 40.

Collett-McKay Annual Picnic Set

     That great annual event, the Collett-McKay picnic, will take place Saturday when members of the two families will meet for the 106th reunion. A large number is expected as there are always many there.
     This will be at the picnic grounds on Gurneyville Rd. starting with noon dinner. In case of rain the picnic will be in the gymnasium of Kingman school.