Explore Collective Magazine Articles By Topic

Browse our growing collection of articles from current and previous issues of both the Comox Valley Collective and Strathcona Collective magazines by topic.

OLD HOUSE ON THE RIVER

Darren Howlett is sitting in Locals Restaurant, a place he has a long history with. He’s worked in this dining ...

The Kirk family home that houses Locals Restaurant is part of Courtenay’s history—and future.

Words by

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Photos by

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FOSSIL FASCINATION

It is a universal truth, I think, that the further you move through adulthood, the more you’re aware that life is ...

The Comox Valley has many ancient secrets for citizen palaeontologists to discover.

Words by

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A WORK OF COMPASSION

Since 1983, Comox Valley Hospice Society (CVHS) has been working to support the physical, psychological, ...

The Comox Valley Hospice Society (CVHS) marks its 40th anniversary of care.

ECHOES IN CHINATOWN

At Cumberland Chinatown’s peak in the years just after the end of World War I, around 1500 residents bustled down ...

How exclusion, discrimination, and racism took their toll on a thriving community.

Words by

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CREATING SPACE FOR TRADITIONS, OLD AND NEW

At its root, tradition is the sharing of stories. Perhaps our oldest tradition is exactly that: storytelling. ...

Intro by

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THE ART OF DRYING FLOWERS

The practice of pressing and drying flowers and herbs dates back centuries and is part of many Indigenous cultures ...

A fusion of Indigenous heritage and modern artistry is a way to keep memories forever.

Words by

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FALLING IN LOVE WITH FUNGI

“Fungi make worlds. They also unmake them. There are lots of ways to catch them in the act. When you cook mushroom ...

The Cumberland Fungus Fest celebrates the marvellous multitaskers of the natural world.

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THE NEXT RIGHT THING

My husband and I sometimes travelled with our kids when they were tiny. If we ever stayed in a motel, we would ...

Intro by

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REMARKABLY UNSINKABLE

It was April 1912 when Hilda Mary Slayter packed her travel trunk with an elegant trousseau in preparation for her ...

Denman Island’s Hilda Slayter Lacon was a stalwart survivor of multiple disasters.

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THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Paige Whitehead was 13 years old when she saw bioluminescence for the first time, during a midnight dip in the ...

Paige Whitehead is going beyond glow sticks to disrupt an entire toxic industry.

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Featured Artist: Lukas Mouka

Our Neighbours Without Homes

The reality of living without shelter

Words by

Sue Moen

Photos by

Nycky-Jay Vanjecek

Get on the Loop

Encircling and connecting the community of Campbell River’s beloved green spaces

Words by

Laurel Sliskovic

Words by

Laurel Cronk

In Search Of

A scout’s hunt for film locations on Vancouver Island

Words by

Tim Moshansky

Photos by

Nick Bergstedt

Humming Bird Zen

A local family’s amazing interaction with their feathered friends

Words & Photos by

Erin Wallis

DEMYSTIFYING MUSHROOMS

Move over, sourdough. The newest homesteading trend is mushrooms, and they’re popping up all over the place.

Words & Photo by

Darren Howlett

THE THREADS OF RECOVERY

A former adrenaline junkie becomes a different kind of adventurer, exploring new cultures through weaving.

Words by

Andrea Townsend

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

SPEAKING FOR THE TREES

The lush forest along the Puntledge River feels like a protected sanctuary, but some areas are slated for logging. A new local group aims to change that.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

FEATURED WORDS: LONGEST NIGHT

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photo by

Meredith Rose

Building up communities, one bike trail at a time, with Patrick Lucas.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Featured photo by

Scott Horley

LITTLE VALLEY: ZOË HENDERSON

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

Words by

Zoë Henderson

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

COASTAL COLLABORATION

In a pandemic season, tourism operators partner with First Nations to protect the shoreline.

Words & Photos by

Oriana Smy

THE VINYL REVIVAL

Why records are making a comeback.

Words by

Jamie McCue

Photos by

Meredith Rose

TAKING THE PLUNGE

A pledge to jump into Comox Lake once a month for a year.

Words by

Joanne McElroy

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

RAISING WOMEN

Now in its 21st year, Comox Valley Girls Group provides a safe space for the development of female empowerment.

Words by

Allie Jenkinson

Photo by

Wendy Morin

CALLED TO THE BAR

Hornby Organic is building an energy-bar empire based on a family recipe.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Josh Dooley

STORM, SPIRITS, AND ISOLATION: LIFE ON THE LIGHTS

Words by

Trish Weatherall

Photo by

John Kelsey

RAKING THE COALS

Seeking meaning in a beloved mother’s dementia.

Words by

Joline Martin

Photos by

Catriona de la Torre

TAKING THE TEMPERATURE ON GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS

When it comes to energy efficiency, what’s hot may not be that cool.

Words by

Daniel Booy

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

UNHINDERED GOOD TIMES ON FORBIDDEN PLATEAU

It was all fun and games ’til the roof caved in—but the former Wood Mountain Ski Park still delivers the goods.

Words by

Mike B.

Featured photo by

Lindsey Pattinson

ARE WE OUT OF THE WOODS YET?

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Scott Bell

THE MYSTERIOUS FAROE ISLANDS

Words by

Kat Craats

Photos by

Kat Craats

GOING DEEP

Reflections on life under water.

Words & Photos by

Ryan Miller

LITTLE VALLEY: ZOLA FINDLAY

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

Words by

Zola Findlay

with help from her sister

Sabine

HOW YA GONNA KEEP ‘EM DOWN ON THE FARM

Exploring family connections where farm meets sea, at Hornby Island’s Fossil Beach Farm.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photos by

Kali Wexler Photography

GLOBAL BUSINESS, LOCAL IMPACTS

When is it better to do something by half? Allow AquaQuest to demonstrate.

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Featured photo by

Sarah Barrie

BEAVERS, WIDE OPEN!

As RuPaul might say, getting to know more about our beavers may improve our quality of life.

Words by

Kristof Trout

Photos by

Bruce Moffat

THE ONLY WAY OUT IS THROUGH

Hunger Moon is a shining read for a season of strangeness.

Words by

Nora Bingham

FROM FENCE BOARDS TO SURFBOARDS

No foam here: old cedar takes on new life in handcrafted heirloom surfboards.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Sara Kempner

GREY TURNED GREEN

Comox, British Columbia, tops the list of Best Communities to Live in Canada 2040.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photo by

Luke Phillips

MORE THAN KUS-KUS-SUM

Project Watershed is using a federal grant to restore the salmon highway: the Salish Sea's nearshore habitat.

Words by

Jennifer Sutherst

Dan Bowen

THROUGH THE VENEER

Getting creative in the place between water and air, where the perspective is elastic and welcoming.

Words & photo by

Lisa Graham

EAT YOUR MEDICINE

On a mission to teach all kids that healthy food can taste great.

Words by

Shannon Simpson

Photos by

Meredith Rose

MOVING THROUGH CHANGE

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Allan Sawchuck

ON SMOKING AND PICKLING

SIMPLE PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES PROVIDE FOOD SECURITY—AND FLAVOUR.

Words by

Darren Howlett

Photos by

Jennifer Brazil

INFLUENZA’S DEADLY TRAIL

At the close of World War I, the so-called Spanish flu claimed lives all over the world, even in the Comox Valley.

Words by

Dawn Copeman

Photo courtesy of

The Cumberland Firehall

THE BEAUTY OF THE BURN

Buddhist wisdom tells us that pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. Try telling your body that.

Words & Photo by

Sarah Seads

THE SUSPENSE WON’T KILL US

COVID-19 has changed global tourism forever. Here on the island, local operators and residents need to imagine a new future for the industry.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photo by

Kat Craats