Collett-McKay families from 10 states gather

     Saturday, the 115th Collett-McKay picnic was shared by 236 registered members of the two families which were united by four marriages between 1823 and 1830. Thanks to some of the men living in the vicinity the grounds had been mowed and prepared and the tables set up in time for the first arrivals. It was a beautiful day with soft breezes, bright sun, and cool weather. The tables were loaded with food.
     Wilbur McKay explained that the trestle supporting the 102-year-old table boards were in need of repair or, in some cases, replacement, and asked that donations of money or time be made for this purpose.
     Wallace Collett gave the blessing after which all began the typical Collett-McKay feast.
     The youngest member present was Bart Aaron Fabian, the two-week-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fabian and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John Magee. The oldest member was Oscar L. Pidgeon of Xenia, who was 90 years old in July.
     Many were interested in the two afghans that Mrs. Lucille Inwood Lafferty had made for her grandsons. Also, much interest was shown in the family trees of both the Collett and the McKay families and in the many pictures, clippings, and other documents which were displayed.
     Colletts and McKays came from many parts of Ohio as well as from 10 other states. An 11th state, Wisconsin, would have been represented had it not been for the strike of the air traffic controllers.
     Those attending from states other than Ohio were: Mr. and Mrs. John F. Becker Jr. (Katherine Hackney), Kevin, Kimberly, and Jennifer of Mansfield, Mo.; Jonathan Collett of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Sarah Collett and Joshua H. Collett of Syosset, N.Y.
     And, Mr. and Mrs. T. Allen Inwood, Tonya, Brad, and Jason of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Mr. and Mrs. Harmon Crockett and Rebecca of Homestead Air Force Base, Florida; Mrs. Rachel Shambaugh Parker of Monterey Peninsula, Calif.; Dr. and Mrs. D. Howard Doster and Anne M. of West Lafayette, Ind.
     Also, Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Baugh, Steven and James of Rochester, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Rowsey of Huntington, W. Va.; Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hynds (Kathie Browning) of Clemson, S.C.
     And, Mr. and Mrs. Everett L. Baugh of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fabian, Chad and Bart of Des Plaines, Ill.

Collett-McKay family plans 115th reunion

     The 115th annual Collett-McKay picnic is planned for Saturday at the family picnic grounds at Gurneyville and Inwood Roads.
     A basket dinner will be shared at noon.