It was the second Saturday in August, of the year Y2K. Meteorologists all around Southwestern Ohio were high-fiving each other over the picture perfect weather they had produced for the traditional Collett/McKay picnic.

The 4 acre site, off Gurneyville Road in Chester Township, had been mowed and groomed with the same precision used at the new McKay owned Majestic Springs Golf Course. The brick pillared gateway, plenty wide enough for horse and buggy, was widened to accommodate the SUVs of the modern petroleum age. The bronze plaques on the pillars, proclaiming the 4 marriages between Collett and McKay siblings that began the picnic tradition in 1866, were given tomb-stone quality renovation by Dodd Monument. A new Tom McKay fence keeps out all but the most determined marauders. And payment of the several hundred dollar property tax keeps the sheriff watchful and peaceful. All in all, a lusty $2,000 was spent on improvements and maintenance this year. Don Collett, a longtime contributor of both work and material put it this way: "I'm glad to help keep this wonderful event going. I wish others who enjoy coming to the picnic could share the joy of contributing financially to future gatherings." In fact they can, by sending a check made out to "Collett/McKay Picnic", c/o Collett Hardware, 6611 St Rte 73 West, Wilmington Oh 45177.

Promptly at noon Wilbur McKay called the group to order for announcements and benediction. The register book later showed the group to be 270 strong. Howard Doster, Professor and field lecturer at Purdue, produced a mighty bull-horn through which to ask the Lord's blessing. He then asked Betty Magee to share what she had done with the land she owns across from the picnic grounds. Her normally sweet little voice bellowed through the football-stadium quality amplifier that she had placed her land in a "conservation easement". This stipulates, presumably perpetually, that no residential or commercial construction can commence on the land that once was the site of Mt Pisgah church where the first picnic was held. Her announcement was answered with applause.

Finally the feasting began. The custom is to spread your food and drink contribution somewhere on the 140 feet of wooden table boards. Then everyone helps themselves to whatever appeals to them. There are many kinds of potato salad, bean salad, pasta salad. There are big bowls of fruit, and fried chicken, and kielbasa and sauerkraut, and sockeye salmon. And of course, many kinds of pie, cake, cookie, brownie.

No alcohol and little if any tobacco were in evidence. This may be the times, or just our group. But it's nice not to have to deal with the problems that come from indulging in those unhealthy practices.

A brief fight did break out among certain of the 5 dogs present. Rhea Collette's guide dog Garbo, did not participate. Rhea's father Ritter, popular Dayton sports columnist, noted Garbo's expression indicated disapproval of the behavior of some members of her species.

The sudden arrival of a Rural/Metro Ambulance brought a momentary hush to the proceedings. What happened? Who's hurt? Concern was dispelled and the noisy conviviality resumed, however, when Kristen Hackney St. John climbed down from the driver's seat, demanding fried chicken and hot coffee.

(Webmaster's note: "Kristen Hackney St. John" should read "Kristen Becker St. John")

Both were definitely available. The best coffee was from the back of Ashley Inwood's pickup truck. He, and twin brother Allen, were reviving a tradition followed by Lou Wash, long deceased, who boiled coffee in a big pot over an open fire back in the twenties and thirties, way before pickups and propane stoves were popular.

The youngest of the 270 cousins and guests was Emily Mally of Cuyahoga Falls Ohio, granddaughter of Rosalie McKay Beers. She's 10 months old. She visited awhile with Esther Doster, 97, wife of the great grandson of Jonathan Collett. Though almost a century separated their ages, both displayed the even temperament so characteristic of the McKays and Colletts.

Ben VanPelt and Natasha Collett are in the same 5th Grade at Holmes Elementary. With eyes sparkling in happy revelation they discovered they were not only mutual admirers, but also cousins. What joy!

Howard Hackney and Ernestine Moore, were remembered as having been to many Collett McKay picnics, but are no more.

Serious genealogist Greg Stephens spent the day, clipboard in hand, updating family information for his computer program, and giving out his Email address ([email protected]) so he could share his copious records with others.

55 people came from 16 states outside Ohio to share the bountiful food and friendship of a perfect family picnic.

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