The weekend of Aug. 14 to 16 was an exciting time for over 100 Collins’ family members and friends in Amityville. The family of the late Henry and Elizabeth Collins gathered together to celebrate 100 years in the Long Island area. Henry and Elizabeth Collins, originally from Charleston and Goose Creek, South Carolina, came to New York circa 1909. The family settled in Amityville in the 1920s.

On Fri., Aug. 14, the family gathered together for a cookout at the home of Lloyd and Martha Collins to kick off the weekend. Family members arrived from Arizona, Maryland, California, North Carolina, New Jersey and Georgia. Saturday, a picnic was held at Sunken Meadow State Park. Family arrived wearing t-shirts with a picture of the elders on the front and the motto, “Keep Looking Up” printed on the back. Sunday morning the family attended church service at Bethel A.M.E. in Copiague. The culmination of the weekend was a banquet held at the Martin A. Kessler VFW Post in Wheatley Heights. It was an emotional event filled with laughter, a few tears, an exchange of stories from the past, games, history, food, music and an unforgettable time for young and old.

Senior members of the Collins’ family who still reside in Amityville are Julius Collins, Virginia Collins, Mary Fisher, Lloyd Collins, Sr. and BettyCollins.

By Mari Porter Barnet.