New manager has bold new vision for historic Mackie Lake House

By David SkelhonThursday, June 29, 2006, http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_318.php

Mackie Lake House is a magnificent heritage property, rich in history, on the east side of Kalamalka Lake off Kidston Road. Newly appointed manager Carolyn Grant, together with new caretaker David Carder, is just discovering the many treasures the property holds.“This is my dream job. Everything I have done before has lead to this position,” said Grant, who has a background in arts and culture. “I feel strongly about honoring this legacy.”Mackie Lake House was commissioned by Montreal businessman Ronald Buchanan in 1910. When completed it was considered one of the finest homes in the Okanagan. The building is largely original, complete with furniture and antiques from that era.The Mackies established the Vernon Preparatory School for boys in 1913 and Hugh and Grace Mackie moved to the house when they retired in 1945.Patrick (Paddy) Mackie was the youngest of five Mackie sons. During World War II, he served in the Royal Canadian Navy. He was a student at UBC, the Ontario College of Art and the Sorbonne in Paris.Paddy Mackie taught French at W.L.Seaton Secondary School in Vernon for 25 years. He was an accomplished watercolourist, potter, pianist and flautist and also a naturalist and historian. He never married and when he died in 1999, the five-acre, waterfront property was bequeathed to the Mackie Lake House Foundation. At the back of the property, lawns sweep down to a wooded area that connects with Kalamalka Lake. Grant said, “There are a couple of eagles that hang out in the trees . . . Paddy was a real environmentalist.”Grant said that the property has been used for wedding photography and receptions and also for meetings. It has a large barn, in excellent condition, and its loft is sometimes used as a temporary classroom for visiting school children. She said she would like to expand the property’s use. “It’s going to lean towards educational programming, and arts and culture related events.”Grant said tours are available by appointment, and special tours with “tea and treats” are planned. These will take place on July 15, August 5 and September 9 and will be guided by Vernon actress Christine Pilgrim dressed as Grace Mackie. Tickets are $20 and are available from the Vernon Museum.For more information on Mackie Lake House, call 545-1019, or go to www.mackiehouse.ca.