CV Collective Fall
Communities in the Pacific Northwest are essentially human settlements in logging clearcuts. Whack down trees, lay out a street grid, start framing buildings, then landscape around them. Trees were viewed […]
Words by Andrew FindlayOpening photo by Jen Groundwater
CV Collective Fall Intro
My husband and I sometimes travelled with our kids when they were tiny. If we ever stayed in a motel, we would make them a “cozy nest” out of spare […]
Intro by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Ron Pogue
Collective Efforts CV Collective Summer
In this Community in Action feature, we’ve profiled dozens of charitable organizations who work to improve various aspects of life in our community. Over the years, many of these groups […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhotos by Kareen Sanderson
CV Collective Summer
Dance is a language that transcends borders, barriers, and abilities. We use it to share stories, communicate ideas, and connect with one another. Through dance, we bring our inner world […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Meredith Rose
CV Collective Intro Summer
Welcome to our ZEST issue, which has nothing to do with citrus fruit and everything to do with gusto, enjoyment, and delight. The pages of this magazine are always filled […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Nick Thornton
CV Collective Intro
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIVING A LIFE: PAY ATTENTION. BE ASTONISHED. TELL ABOUT IT. – MARY OLIVER In the process of editing this magazine, I’m often awestruck by the stories that appear […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Ron Pogue
CV Collective Opening Introduction Winter
When I was a kid growing up in the ’70s and ’80s in Montreal, stores were closed on Sundays. Every single store. Every single Sunday. Sure, at the dépanneurs (corner […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Jenn Dykstra
CV Collective Fall Opening Introduction
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. – Søren Kierkegaard, 1843 I don’t usually go around quoting Danish philosophers, but I think Kierkegaard was on […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Ron Pogue
CV Collective Summer
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably driven past the community halls north of Courtenay along Highway 19A many times without giving them a second thought. They’ve seen better days, […]
Words by Jen Groundwater
CV Collective Intro Summer
When LOVE was suggested as our summer theme, I jumped on it. I planned to write an inspiring intro that would bring the whole valley together in shared appreciation for […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Jennifer Brazil
CV Collective Spring
When Kermit the Frog said, “It’s not easy being green,” he wasn’t talking about investing, but he might as well have been. It’s a complicated topic to cover on just […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Jenn Dykstra
CV Collective Intro Spring
If you’ve ever spent time with a toddler, you’ll know they ask “Why?” about seven thousand times a day. When my first son was about two or three, my husband […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Sam Rae Harriss
CV Collective Winter
Imagine noticing smoke in the distance, then, less than ten minutes later, your property is fully consumed by flames and there’s no time to do anything but flee. Imagine watching, […]
Words by Bevin Clempson& Jenny Deters
CV Collective Intro Winter
Everyone remembers the first time they met Thomas Dunn. He was a rare individual who made an impression—mostly positive, sometimes abrasive, always fun—with people he met. Born in Wigan, England, […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Nik Dunn
CV Collective Fall
Things are changing in the Comox Valley: our population is growing as more people move here in appreciation of the Valley’s natural qualities and lifestyle. And our population is aging: […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Marcie Dumais
CV Collective Fall Intro
I’m so glad you’re here. As many readers know, each issue is part of a cycle with four linked themes. COVID-19 has made the 2021 cycle our most challenging yet. […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Scott Bell
CV Collective Summer
A few years ago, a fog rolled in on me, gradually placing a dim, grey mist over my view in all directions. I didn’t choose for it to happen, and […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Jarrett Lindal
CV Collective Opening Introduction Summer
After so many months of navigating an ever-changing pandemic landscape of worries, warnings, restrictions, and rules, I think it’s safe to say most of us are feeling pretty damn depleted. […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Jenn Dykstra
CV Collective Opening Introduction Spring
Welcome to the 25th volume of our ongoing love letter to the Comox Valley. In 2014, Ross Bodenmann had the honour of writing the first editor’s introduction, which he closed […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Jennifer Brazil
CV Collective Winter
It began in a small kitchen on a small island, with peanut butter, honey, and oats. It was 1993 when Trish Vet’s business got, ahem, rolling. After years of refining […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Josh Dooley
CV Collective Intro Winter
I began to write this letter on a rainy, blustery day in early November—possibly not the best time to reflect on resilience. With the ongoing news about the pandemic, institutional […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Scott Bell
CV Collective Fall
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Fossil Beach Farm is a-bustle with activity. People are sitting at long picnic tables on a wide lawn, tasting the half-dozen ciders that are made […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhotos by Kali Wexler Photography
CV Collective Fall Intro
Early in 2020, our editorial team envisioned the general look and feel of the covers and themes for the year ahead: four issues, four seasons, four elements. It would be […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Allan Sawchuck
CV Collective Fall Intro
When I wrote the last Editor’s Letter, things were still reasonably normal in the Comox Valley. But some time between our spring issue heading off to print and the time […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Kyle Hansen
CV Collective Spring
Musical wizardry is something I’ve always admired, and after meeting Comox Valley luthier (guitar maker) Wyatt Wilkie, I now understand that the magic of music begins long before any musician […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhotos by Sara Kempner
CV Collective Intro Spring
Ah, spring. It’s the time when the light begins to spill over our valley again—a little longer every day—and the air is filled with possibility. April showers bring May flowers? […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Vince Kehn
CV Collective Who Winter
The first thing you need to know about Glen Alwin Farm is that nobody involved is named Glen. Or Alwin. The people who run the show are Joanna (Jo) Smith […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Jenn Dykstra
CV Collective Intro Winter
Almost all the ancient civilizations identified four similar basic elements: earth, air, fire, and water. I believe there’s a part within all of us—even in our modern times, where many […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Dave Prothero
CV Collective Fall
PETER GEE: CONNECTOR If you recently arrived in the Comox Valley and found a family doctor with little trouble, you can thank Dr. Peter Gee. As Site Director of the […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhotos by Jenn Dykstra
CV Collective Spring
ERIC RUSH: EXPLORER To put it mildly, Eric Rush is pretty fond of road biking. A member of Courtenay’s Riverway Dental Racing team, he regularly puts in weekly 100-kilometre rides. […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterFeatured photo by April Bencze
CV Collective Winter
On a late October day, a pale sun shines through sparse golden leaves, making sparkles on the Orford River. I know there are four grizzly bears just across the water […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhotos by Jenn Dykstra
CV Collective Intro Winter
As the light dims, we must find ways to fill our hearts, challenge our minds, and keep our bodies healthy. We turn to the elements to satisfy ourselves and make […]
Words by Jen GroundwaterPhoto by Galyn Franklin
