2022 Archives - The Collective Magazines

ALL 2022

ALWAYS HERE FOR US

ALWAYS HERE FOR US

Let brassicas delight your taste buds through the long winter months.

Words by

James McKerricher

Photo by

THE COOL OF CURLING

THE COOL OF CURLING

There’s a place for everyone within the quintessential Canadian game.

Words by

Photos by

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: LUC ANTAYA

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: LUC ANTAYA

Photo By

FEATURED ARTIST: SHANNON FORD

FEATURED ARTIST: SHANNON FORD

Words & Artwork by

ELDER VALLEY: REFRAMING REST

ELDER VALLEY: REFRAMING REST

Reflections from an older resident.

Words by

Photo by

LITTLE VALLEY: CADE HALE

LITTLE VALLEY: CADE HALE

Our young residents reflect on the home they’re growing up in

Words by

Cade Hale, Age 9

Photo by

A BENEFIT FOR ALL

A BENEFIT FOR ALL

The Immigrant Welcome Centre helps new residents succeed in the Comox Valley.

Words by

Photo by

A TALE OF TWO WOODLOTS

A TALE OF TWO WOODLOTS

Small-scale operations offer hope for the future of forestry.

Words by

Opening photo by

STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

A student-led walk in the snow to help end homelessness.

Words by

Photo by

A THEATRICAL FORCE FOR GOOD

A THEATRICAL FORCE FOR GOOD

Exploring the human experience with laughter, love, and hard work.

Words by

Chelsea McCannel-Keene

Photo by

THE GIFT OF LIFE

THE GIFT OF LIFE

It’s not on your driver’s license! Register to become an organ donor.

Words by

Photo by

FAREWELL TO THE DENTAL BUS

FAREWELL TO THE DENTAL BUS

After over three decades, Peter Walford has parked his mobile practice.

Words by

Laura Busheikin

Photos courtesy of

THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

How an infamous pirate’s luck ran out on Vancouver Island.

Words by

Simone Gingras-Fox

Photo courtesy of

Union Bay Historical Society

GOOD AS GOLD

GOOD AS GOLD

Mead-making: flavour and fun from honey.

Words by

Photo by

BY DESIGN

BY DESIGN

Using the language of architecture to build a life in a new country.

Words by

Photos courtesy of

BETTER BULLETINS

BETTER BULLETINS

Avalanche Canada comes to the Island.

Words by

Photos by

FORAGING FOR FLAVOUR

FORAGING FOR FLAVOUR

Local gourmet comfort foods help you settle in for winter.

Words by

Photo by

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

An ode to the charms of the secondhand bookstore.

Words by

Photos by

GIVE IT A REST

GIVE IT A REST

Go on, take a whole day off. We used to do it once every week.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

FEATURED ARTIST: LAURIE MARTZ

FEATURED ARTIST: LAURIE MARTZ

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: JIM WHYTE

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: JIM WHYTE

Photo By

FOLLOW THE MOUNTAIN HOME

FOLLOW THE MOUNTAIN HOME

A journey to one of Strathcona Provincial Park’s most iconic peaks.

Words & photos by

THE COAL BENEATH OUR FEET

THE COAL BENEATH OUR FEET

Words by

DINNER IS SERVED

DINNER IS SERVED

Creative culinary events help put gustatory joy on everyone's menu.

Words by

James McKerricher

Photos by

MAGIC IN THE DYE POT

MAGIC IN THE DYE POT

Fibre and fungi are key ingredients in Amy Crook’s creative process.

Words by

Photos by

EVERYTHING WE KNOW IS WRONG

EVERYTHING WE KNOW IS WRONG

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

WERE IT NOT FOR THE BIKE

WERE IT NOT FOR THE BIKE

Three days, two cyclists, and one island-sized mission.

Words & Featured Photo by

Gallery Photo by

ELDER VALLEY: RETIREMENT REDEFINED

ELDER VALLEY: RETIREMENT REDEFINED

Reflections from an older resident.

Words by

Stewart Goodings

Photo by

LITTLE VALLEY: DAKOTA BLOMGREN

LITTLE VALLEY: DAKOTA BLOMGREN

Reflections from a younger resident.

Photos by

THE DAY THE PRINCE CAME TO TOWN

THE DAY THE PRINCE CAME TO TOWN

An irreverent look at a long-ago royal visit to the Comox Valley.

Words by

ALTERED LANDSCAPE

ALTERED LANDSCAPE

Restoring and reconnecting land and water includes understanding our history.

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photos by

FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN

FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN

Spend a Monday night at the LINC.

Words & photos by

WHALE BREATH AND ANGEL WINGS

WHALE BREATH AND ANGEL WINGS

The forces behind the tides aren’t as simple as you think.

Words by

Photos by

JUMP SCARES AHEAD

JUMP SCARES AHEAD

Filmmaker Dan Webb brings sci-fi and horror to the Comox Valley.

Words by

Illustration by

A DOORWAY TO HOPE

A DOORWAY TO HOPE

ReStore helps get families into safe, sustainable NEW homes.

Words & Photos by

SUNSET AT SMITH LAKE FARM

SUNSET AT SMITH LAKE FARM

Four photographers capture more than just snapshots.

Words by

Featured photo by

MISADVENTURES IN BAKING

MISADVENTURES IN BAKING

A look at the delicious possibilities of going gluten-free.

Words by

Photos by

Jennifer Brazil

THE SCIENCE OF SASQUATCH

THE SCIENCE OF SASQUATCH

Dr. John Bindernagel spent decades researching BC’s most elusive creature.

Words by

Featured Photo by

Jo-Anne Johnson

VIVA LA TRASH PANDA

VIVA LA TRASH PANDA

It’s been around for 19 million years. So can the raccoon get a little grudging respect?

Words by

Photo by

THE WOMAN IN THE FLORAL DRESS

THE WOMAN IN THE FLORAL DRESS

Élise Turgeon’s creative, generous spirit has brought a neighbourhood together.

Words by

Photos by

Kareen Sanderson

RIDING DRAGONS ON THE SALISH SEA

RIDING DRAGONS ON THE SALISH SEA

Hope Afloat marks 20 years in the fight against cancer. Paddles up!

Words by

Photos by

ALL IN THE SAME BOAT

ALL IN THE SAME BOAT

Connected by water—reflections after an afternoon on Comox Lake.

Words by

Photos by

CHEERS TO THE LAZO BARREL COLLECTIVE

CHEERS TO THE LAZO BARREL COLLECTIVE

Three self-proclaimed beer geeks are crafting unique, tasty brews.

Words & Photos by

BRANCHING OUT

BRANCHING OUT

As a planner, Pieter Rutgers helped shape Vancouver’s parks. Now in semi-retirement, he shapes wood into beautiful furniture.

Words by

Photo by

GET THEE TO A GALLERY

GET THEE TO A GALLERY

Each of these galleries features a wide selection of locally made artwork at a variety of price points. You’ll find no pressure to buy, just creativity and brilliance aplenty to admire, and a warm welcome from people who love to talk about art.

LITTLE VALLEY: DARRAGH TORMEY

LITTLE VALLEY: DARRAGH TORMEY

Reflections from a younger resident.

Photo by

CREATING A CANOE

CREATING A CANOE

K’ómoks First Nation members combine ancient methods and modern tools to bring a new vessel to life.

Words by

K’ómoks First Nation

Freyja: The Croissant Story

Freyja: The Croissant Story

Entrepreneurial immigration to a new continent, with pastry.

Words by

Emese Tóth-Harasztos

Photos by

Shayla Attfield

Building Reconciliation

Building Reconciliation

Three community members in Mowachaht/Muchalaht territories build trust.

Words by

Words by

Highway 19 Concerts

Highway 19 Concerts

Lucas Schuller brings music to Campbell River.

Words by

Photos by

Sarmad Al Mouallem

SUPER TROUPERS

SUPER TROUPERS

After five decades and counting, the show goes on for the Comox Valley Youth Music Centre.

Words by

Christine Baxter

Photos courtesy of

comox valley youth music centre

THE RISE OF MODERN GLEANING

THE RISE OF MODERN GLEANING

This ancient practice may be getting a rebrand, but it’s still about using our food resources wisely.

Words by

James McKerricher

Photos by

WILD SPACES BELONG TO EVERYONE

WILD SPACES BELONG TO EVERYONE

Recreation in the great outdoors hasn’t always been an option for people of colour in Canada. Erica Keen reflects on her family's history and the importance of nature.

Words & featured photo by
Erica Keen

FEATURED ARTIST: MARIANNE ENHÖRNING

FEATURED ARTIST: MARIANNE ENHÖRNING

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: NICK THORNTON

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: NICK THORNTON

Photo By

ELDER VALLEY: A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE

ELDER VALLEY: A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE

Reflections from an older resident.

Words by

Photo by

T’AAM LAAN, STEERSMAN OF THE CANOE

T’AAM LAAN, STEERSMAN OF THE CANOE

A SUP adventurer’s trajectory through the mist.

Words by

Photos by

SAVING PLACE

SAVING PLACE

Managing gentrification to protect the communities we love.

Words by

Photos by

TRUE FACTS ABOUT FAKE BIRDS

TRUE FACTS ABOUT FAKE BIRDS

They’re among our most plentiful bird species, but seagulls don’t actually exist.

Words by

Photo by

A COMMUNITY’S HEART IS IN ITS FORESTS

A COMMUNITY’S HEART IS IN ITS FORESTS

The importance of knowing what you’ve got—before it’s gone.

Words & Photo by

Jennifer Jellett

FRIENDS OF FELINES

FRIENDS OF FELINES

The Kitty Cat P.A.L. Society cares for the Comox Valley’s under-loved cats.

Words by

Photos by

A PASSION FOR CLAY

A PASSION FOR CLAY

After thirty years, The Potters Place Gallery continues to flourish.

Words by

Photos courtesy of

The Potters Place

DENMAN ISLAND READERS AND WRITERS FESTIVAL IS BACK

DENMAN ISLAND READERS AND WRITERS FESTIVAL IS BACK

Authors and book lovers rejoice at the return of the big literary festival on a small island.

Words by

Howard Macdonald Stewart

Photos Courtesy of

Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival

SHARING THE LAND

SHARING THE LAND

We can’t fix the past for our forests and watersheds, but we have to get the future right.

Words by

Photos by

FROM CLEARCUTS TO COMMUNITIES

FROM CLEARCUTS TO COMMUNITIES

The Valley’s community halls have stories to tell.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

THE POWER OF GROWING THINGS

THE POWER OF GROWING THINGS

Ode to a Comox yarden (yes, that’s yard + garden).

Words by

Photos by

THE NOSE KNOWS

THE NOSE KNOWS

Raising a Search and Rescue dog.

Words by

Photos by

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Jennifer Brazil

CHANGING TIDES

CHANGING TIDES

Goose Spit has an intriguing, complicated history.

Words by

Photo by

THE SNOWLINE

THE SNOWLINE

A tale of seeking adventure—and finding satisfaction—amid the unpredictable charm of the mountains.

Words & Photos by

A LOVE LETTER TO WATER

A LOVE LETTER TO WATER

Explore water as a living entity through a convergent program at the Comox Valley Art Gallery.

Words by

Photo by

FEATURED ARTIST: CHRISTIAN GEISSLER

FEATURED ARTIST: CHRISTIAN GEISSLER

FEATURED WORDS: I’M LEARNING

FEATURED WORDS: I’M LEARNING

Words by

Photos by

Alexandre Crouzet

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: MORGAN NORTH

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: MORGAN NORTH

COMMUNITY, CARE, AND QUILTING

COMMUNITY, CARE, AND QUILTING

Local quilters have created a thriving guild, block by block and decade by decade.

Words by

Photo by

LITTLE VALLEY: MYLA BEHZAD

LITTLE VALLEY: MYLA BEHZAD

Our young residents reflect on the home they’re growing up in.

Words by

TUNED TO THE COMMUNITY’S FREQUENCY

TUNED TO THE COMMUNITY’S FREQUENCY

100.7 The Raven’s diverse team revitalizes a language and works to heal a nation.

Words by
Dave Flawse
Photo by
Jenn Dykstra

THE THRILL OF THRIFTING

THE THRILL OF THRIFTING

Only got $20 in your pocket? Pop some tags in the Comox Valley.

Words by

Photos by

MIND YOUR SKIN, NATURALLY

MIND YOUR SKIN, NATURALLY

Your skin protects you from the world. Take care of it with plant-infused products from local makers.

Words by

Photo courtesy of

Native Naked Naturals

THE SEA IS RISING

THE SEA IS RISING

It's hard to get excited about something measured in millimetres. But ignoring climate resilience is no longer an option.

Words by

Photo by

STYLE AND SUNSTAINABILITY

STYLE AND SUNSTAINABILITY

The Comox Valley’s artisanal clothing designers create slow fashion that will look and feel great for a very long time.

A GARDEN FOR EVERYONE

A GARDEN FOR EVERYONE

For 25 years, the Gardens on Anderton have offered peace and beauty to all who enter.

Words by

Loraine Hartley

Photo by

BURNING QUESTIONS

BURNING QUESTIONS

Landfill tours help youth rethink the hows and whys of waste—and what to do about it.

Words & photos by

Tina Willard-Stepan

GREENING YOUR MONEY

GREENING YOUR MONEY

Is it possible to invest for retirement—without supporting companies you don’t approve of?

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

WHY WE RISK

WHY WE RISK

It’s not just for the high—it’s in my DNA.

Words by

Photo by

NEITHER SEEN NOR HEARD

NEITHER SEEN NOR HEARD

The Island's apex predator might just be the perfect neighbour.

Words by

Photo by

FELLOWSHIP OF THE FOREST

FELLOWSHIP OF THE FOREST

Along the Cumberland Trail Network, you’re sure to be in good company.

Words by

Photos by

SEAWEED, SVP

SEAWEED, SVP

Words & Photo by

THE TEACHING THAT NATURE PROVIDES

THE TEACHING THAT NATURE PROVIDES

Farm and forest experiences help kids thrive by connecting them to the land.

Words by

Photo courtesy of

Fianna Wilderness School

ALWAYS ASKING QUESTIONS

ALWAYS ASKING QUESTIONS

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Sam Rae Harriss

Featured Artist: Terri-lynn Papagiannis

Featured Artist: Terri-lynn Papagiannis

Featured Words: Neall Calvert

Featured Words: Neall Calvert

Poems by

Photos by

Jennifer Jellett

Featured Photographer: True Dennison

Featured Photographer: True Dennison

Art, Medicine, and Soap

Art, Medicine, and Soap

There’s tradition and luxury in every batch of RavenSong.

Words by

Photos by

Q̓ʷalayu House

Q̓ʷalayu House

Words by

Photos by

Dasha Armstrong

Leña Residency

Leña Residency

An artist’s retreat on Galiano Island.

Words by

Photos by

Dayna Szyndrowski

Experience Tahsis

Experience Tahsis

Ample adventure, history, and nature on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Words & Photos by

Inspired by Nature

Inspired by Nature

West Coast images travel the world on clay.

Words by

Photos by

It’s In The Details

It’s In The Details

A local homebuilder shares his love for West Coast architecture.

Words by

Photos by

Nycky-Jay Vanjecek

Healthy Hives

Healthy Hives

How to inspect for a thriving, growing bee colony.

Words by

Rachel Halliwell

Photos by

Riding Off-Grid

Riding Off-Grid

Words by

Photos by

Nancy Carr-Hilton

LITTLE RIVER: SOPHIE AND SIMON KUHL

LITTLE RIVER: SOPHIE AND SIMON KUHL

Reflections from our younger residents

Words by

&

The Gardening Movement

The Gardening Movement

Three soil experts share their knowledge on the past and future of growing

Words by

Words by

Building a Technology Hub

Building a Technology Hub

How angel investors support economic development through innovative projects.

Words by

Photos by

Paddling Adventures

Paddling Adventures

A family explores Cortes Island by kayak

Words & Photos by

Traffic Jam

Traffic Jam

A newcomer’s reflections on migrating to the Strathcona region.

Words by

Photos by

Small Farm, Big Ideas

Small Farm, Big Ideas

A family grows on Quadra’s SouthEnd Winery

Words by

Photos by

Vertical Madness

Vertical Madness

Students sewing themselves into the sky

Words by

Photos by

Burrell’s Bog

Burrell’s Bog

Protected space for the birds in Beaver Lodge Lands

Words & Photos by

Words by

Trevor McMonagle

In Motion

In Motion

Words by

Trevor McMonagle

Photos by

WANTED: DEATH COMPANIONS

WANTED: DEATH COMPANIONS

We’re all going to die, but most of us don’t want to talk about it. Let’s reframe the conversation.

Words by

Madeline Christie

Photos by

Jennifer Jellett

MEET THE BOOT FITTER

MEET THE BOOT FITTER

When you’ve got happy feet, you just ski better.

Words by

Photos by

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