Collett-McKay families gather for 122nd picnic

     Hot? We're talking HOT. That was the second most popular subject of the day at this 122nd gathering of descendants of two founding families in Clinton and Warren Counties. The most popular subject, of course, was genes.
     The first Collett-McKay picnic, in 1866, included family members from the marriages of two pairs of brothers and sisters: 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. These four family marriages were so popular with the generations that followed that by the time the children of Mariah were 30 the picnics had begun. And last Saturday, the 1988 reunion was attended by 245 sweltering descendants and their guests.
     This year the festivities began as usual: a ceremonial clapping of the hands by Wilbur McKay to draw the crowd's attention. There were a few remarks of welcome and a reminder that money was always needed to mow and care for this four acres of beautiful grounds owned by the family. Those attending were invited to the celebration Sunday of the 150th anniversary of Jonahs Run Baptist Church, on SR 73, a church founded by many of the same people who founded this picnic. Howard Doster then led the group in prayer before the bountiful basket dinner.
     The most recent edition of the Collett-McKay genes represented at the picnic were in Nicholas Shea Kelly, born June 15. His mother wasn't present but his grandmother, and his great grandmother and his great-great grandmother were there. Great-great-grandmother Ada McKay beamed proudly from her lofty 88 years of experience, upon her 60-day-old great-great-grandson. Another young participant, James David Godfrey, was born last May and traveled all the way from Alabama.
     The farmers present spoke about the drought this year. They spoke of how half the crop was probably lost; and half the income. They pitied the youngsters who had committed a full 1988 crop to payment on their loans. The wise ones quoted their ancestors: "Never commit the whole crop. It's much more fun to deal with a surplus than with a deficit." The urban cousins could relate to that. They knew about surplus and deficit. And so family ties were made and strengthened.
     Another very popular activity at this year's picnic was eating, and comparing eats. One could tour the 158 feet of picnic table, and fill a hefty plate just sampling the 45 different renditions of potato salad. Ellen Gilbert brought homemade ice cream for anyone who had saved room.
     When the celebration was over, and the sign-in book analyzed, it was noted that only 20 of the people present were named McKay, only 14 named Collett, a vivid reminder that genes come from the female side too, and though their names change their love of this tradition doesn't.
     All parts of Ohio were represented, as well as 17 other states. Those attending from other states were:
     Rebecca, Lydia, Emma, and James Godfrey, all of McIntosh, Ala.; Robert, Mary Lou, and William Doster, all of Buckeye, Arizona; Evelyn and Gene Collett, both of Escondido, Calif.; Christine and David Cossum of Ellenton, Fla.; Ed and Arlene Cossum of Elleston, Fla.; Barbara and Jack Deppner, both of Indiatlantic, Fla.; Eric and Scott Browning, both of Loxahatchee, Fla.; Craig, Jenna, Karen, and W. Edward Wengler, all of Stuart, Fla.; Shad, Bart, Chuck, Nevin, and Karen Fabian, all of Des Plaines, Ill.; Ann, Jerry, Nelson, Keiran Greengus, all of Skokie, Ill.; Howard and Barbara Doster, both of W. Lafayette, Ind.; Byron and Hattie Leaser, both of Westfield, Ind.; Ann, Richard Baugh, both of Bowling Green, KY; David, Cynthia, Ashlee, and Andrew Doster, all of Northville, Mich.; Ellisyn Worley of Springfield, MO; Patricia Gliestring and Mary Ellen Talmadge, both of Omaha, Neb.; Nelson and Peggy Carr, both of Elizabeth, N.J.; Melissa and Luke Carnell, both of Ft. Drum, N.Y.; Susan Doster of New York City; James Miller of Chalfont, PA; Regina Peasley of Gwened Valley, PA; Tonya and Tillen Inwood, both of Pittsburgh, PA; Harriet and John Babcock, both of Watertown, S.D.; Anne Doster and Travis Glaze, both of Hampton, VA; Jane Strecker of Medical Lake, Wash.; Max and Ellen Magee, both of Madison, Wisc.

Social Calendar

SATURDAY AUG. 13

• Collett-McKay picnic, family picnic grounds corner of Gurneyville-Inwood roads, noon.

Collett elected Farm Bureau president

COLLETT

     McKay Collett, of Chester Township, has been elected the new president of Clinton County Farm Bureau. He will take office after the annual meeting in September.
     "Collett has been actively involved in farming here since 1981, though his interest in agriculture goes back much further than that." stated Farm Bureau's current president, Gene Gibson.
     Collett graduated from The Ohio State University School of Agriculture in 1949. He went to work in the DuPont agricultural chemical sales department and spent 30 years in various management assignments with the company. He has returned to his "Hole-in-the-Woods" farm in Chester Township, where he raises sheep, cattle, corn and soybeans.
     The Farm Bureau represents 954 families in Clinton County, according to Gibson.