"I never heard of anything like this in China," said Linda Wang of Peking. She watched in awe last Saturday as 235 people from all over the United States assembled on a certain four acres in the northwest corner of Clinton County for the Collett and McKay families 119th picnic.

     She and her husband were guests of Howard Doster, great-great-grandson of one founding couple. He opened the 1985 festivities with the observation that reunions such as this were a rare occasion in this country as well, and with a prayer of thanks that those in attendance felt drawn, as their ancestors had before, by the strong family bond that tied them together.

     The founding bond for which he spoke was four marriages. Jonathan Collett married Sarah McKay in 1823. Four years later, Jonathan's brother Daniel married Sarah's sister Virginia. Then in 1830 Collett siblings married McKay siblings again, when Mary Collett wed Francis McKay, and her brother Daniel wed Francis' sister Mariah.

     The youngest person in attendance, James Billingsley, couldn't have cared less about the tradition, for he was only 41 days old. The older ones once again set out a fantastic array of food on 158 feet of trestle table. After sampling each others favorite dishes they reviewed the genealogy display and reminisced over old photographs.

     This year, two prominent and loved family members were missing -- William Doster and Gener Miller, both have passed away since the last picnic and the event reminded the members of the many years of public service both had given during their lives.

     New photographs, even a video recording by Wallace Collett, were taken for succeeding generations to reminisce over, of whiffleball, bocceball and volleyball games. In addition to the many delegates from Ohio, these 35 came from out-of-state:

     Marjorie Ames of Arcadia, Fla.; Rick Assad of Louisville, Ky.; John and Katherine Becker of Ava, Mo.; David, Sharen, Scott, Eric and Matthew Browning of Loxahatchee, Fla.; Howard and Barbara Doster of West Lafayette, Ind.; Ann Doster of Southfield, Mich.; J.E., Valerie and Joseph Elliott of San Diego, Calif.; Karen, Charles, Bart, Chad and Robin Fabian of Des Plaines, Ill.; Allen, Karla, Tonya, Brad, and Jason Inwood of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Charles Kincade of West Monroe, La.; John and Susan Lorenz of Owensboro, Ky.; Max and Ellen Magee of Madison, Wis.; Rachel Parker of Monterey, Calif.; Ned Powell of Madison, Wisc.; Allen Terrell of Haverford, Pa.; Ning and Linda Wang of Peking, China.

119th Collett-McKay picnic planned

     The 119th annual Collett-McKay family picnic will be Saturday, Aug. 10 at the family picnic grounds at the corner of Gurneyville and Inwood Roads.

     A basket dinner will be shared at noon.

     Friday evening the immediate family of Albert and Ada Mills McKay, sons, daughters and nephews and their spouses, met at Seeger's Old Mill Restaurant in Waynesville. This was a time for reminiscing, a time to talk and enjoy being together.

     After the meal each person had the opportunity to tell a story or relate an incident about growing up on the McKay farm in Chester Township. Some of the stories were quite humorous as well as those serious life adventures.

     The sharing time concluded with the family joining together singing songs and favorite hymns around the electric organ at the Old Mill Restaurant.

     Those attending were Mrs. Albert McKay, Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur McKay, Mr. and Mrs. John Howell, Mr. and Mrs. Frank McKay and Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Graham, all of Wilmington.

     Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Graham of Fort Smith, Ark., Mr. and Mrs. Duane Erwin of Kettering, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Musser of Loraine, Rev. and Mrs. Robert McKay of Alliance, Mr. and Mrs. Donald McKay of Mt. Sterling, Rev. and Mrs. John Beers Richwood, James Bickett, Mrs. Leon Mills and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Van Tress, all of Xenia.