Author: adminml

  • Mack Laing Saga Timeline

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    1922:  Famous Canadian author, artist and ornithologist, collector for the National Museum of Canada and The Smithsonian, lands in Comox June 1922.  Builds his first home “Baybrook” and marries his life-long love Ethel Hart. 1945:  Ethel Hart dies of cancer.  A grief-stricken Mack Laing becomes a recluse. 1949:  Sells his Baybrook and 10 acres to…

  • Why is Comox so keen to demolish?

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    I was surprised to read in “Society slams Comox for failing to preserve historic Laing homes,” (The Echo,6 March) Mayor Ives’ claim that “interpretive panels had been erected to highlight the historic significance of Laing’s work.”   As only one small not very visible panel exists, I leave it to your readers to weigh the substance…

  • Brian Scott speaks out about Baybrook

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    What would Key West be without Ernest Hemingway or Savanna, Georgia without William Faulkner!!  Alice Munro, our only Nobel Laureate, stayed at Mack Laing’s house in the winter of 1996. I recently read a bio and it said Alice Munro wintered in Comox, BC. I have read all her books.  I finally figured out my…

  • TV and press comment on demolition threat

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    In recent days CTV news has aired a clip regarding the pending demolition of both of Mack Laing’s former homes. View the clip here: http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=567633 And on March 10, in the Comox Valley Record, the Under the Glacier editorial cartoon has also made a statement. View the e-edition of the newspaper here: http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/eeditions/?iid=i20150310050014241 There have…

  • A last look at Baybrook …

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    The MLHS thanks Sharon Niscak for allowing us to post these photographs of Baybrook House on a beautiful spring day, the last Spring it will see, after 92 years. This house, along with Shakesides in Mack Laing Park, will soon to be demolished by the Town of Comox …

  • Comox demolishing Mack Laing heritage

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    Thirty three (33) years ago, in January 1982 Mack Laing passed away at the age of 99. He generously donated to the town of Comox the remaining parcel of his land where his second home Shakeside stands. His last Will asks, in trust to the town of Comox, that his home be turned into a…

  • Mack Laing – Comox man of distinction

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    Hamilton Mack Laing was born in Hensall, Ontario in 1883. His extended family moved to Manitoba, settling in Clearsprings, where he became a keen hunter and observer of nature. He never shot anything for sport. He regularly upgraded his professional qualifications. From 1901-1911, he taught school, then became principal of the high school in Oak…

  • MLHS to participate in Flag Day and Heritage Week in Comox Mall

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    The Mack Laing Society of the Comox Valley will be participating in the Flag Day and Heritage Week events in the Comox Mall February 15-20, all day, every day (9:30 am to 4:40 pm). We will have a number of free raffles, educational displays, and a children’s corner in the former “deli” courtyard in the…