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.

It’s not true BBQ until you add low heat, live fire, and flavourful smoke

An afternoon spent sweating over flame and smoke is an American pastime on par with football and Christianity. For ...

The art of Smoke

Words by

Photos by

Sandra Viney of Courtenay’s Atlas Cafe

On a warm Friday afternoon, Atlas Café begins to hum with activity. A bartender preps her station and servers ...

Thirty years of cuisine and community

Words by

Photos by

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At the Royston Roasting Co. it’s a new era and a family affair

Nestled among blackberry bushes and evergreens, in the heart of the seaside community of Royston, sits a local ...

Boldly Brewing

Summer skin, simplified

As the seasons shift in the Pacific Northwest—and Vancouver Island in particular—so does our skin. It needs extra ...

Beneath the surface

Words by

Illustration by

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A Young Author on Writing and Self-Discovery

EMERGING ARTIST: A PROFILE OF A YOUNG ARTISTEveryone says they have a book in them, and they do, in a way. We ...

Creating her own story

Words by

Photos by

Creativity and collaboration rule the world of Live Action Role Play (LARP)

Back in 2008, I asked a group of kids at the Boys and Girls Club if they wanted to go outside. “Nooo,” they ...

Join the quest!

Words by

Photos by

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Understanding food flows in the Comox Valley

In the spring in the Comox Valley, a farmer plants a seed, which grows into a beet. Later in the summer, that beet ...

Planning for a resilient, sustainable, edible future

Words by

Photo by

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Compass Adventures: A Comox Valley water sports legacy

For over three decades, a small family-run business in the heart of the Comox Valley has been making ...

Riding the waves for 30 years

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Comox Valley paragliding offers pure, joyous flight

There’s a special kind of magic that happens when you’re thermalling alongside an eagle, both of you circling in ...

Frontier flying

Words by

Photo by

Easy from the outside

It all comes down to perception—and effort Ah, June. We have a fresh, wide-open summer ahead filled with ...

An Introduction to Vol. 42

Words by

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STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

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

Words by

Carrera Teal

Photo by

John Gower

A THEATRICAL FORCE FOR GOOD

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

Words by

Chelsea McCannel-Keene

Photo by

Tim Penney

THE GIFT OF LIFE

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

Words by

Sara Cherewaty

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

FAREWELL TO THE DENTAL BUS

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

Words by

Laura Busheikin

Photos courtesy of

Peter Walford

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

Mead-making: flavour and fun from honey.

Words by

Derek Adams

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

BY DESIGN

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

Words by

Vivian Dean

Photos courtesy of

Supermod

BETTER BULLETINS

Avalanche Canada comes to the Island.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photos by

Colin Garritty

Campbellton

From its roots to a community in renewal.

Words by

Morgan Ostler

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

FORAGING FOR FLAVOUR

Local gourmet comfort foods help you settle in for winter.

Words by

Jodi Kozicki

Photo by

Taylor Dawning

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

An ode to the charms of the secondhand bookstore.

Words by

Susan Barratt

Photos by

Meredith Rose

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

Jenn Dykstra

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

Words & photos by

Claire Gordon

THE COAL BENEATH OUR FEET

Words by

Dawn Copeman

DINNER IS SERVED

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

Words by

James McKerricher

Photos by

Alison Peill

MAGIC IN THE DYE POT

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

Words by

Marie Maccagno

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

EVERYTHING WE KNOW IS WRONG

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Ron Pogue

WERE IT NOT FOR THE BIKE

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

Words & Featured Photo by

Dave Nowak

Gallery Photo by

Gary Egli

ELDER VALLEY: RETIREMENT REDEFINED

Reflections from an older resident.

Words by

Stewart Goodings

Photo by

John Bonner

LITTLE VALLEY: DAKOTA BLOMGREN

Reflections from a younger resident.

Photos by

Shannon Koroll

THE DAY THE PRINCE CAME TO TOWN

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

Words by

Dave Flawse

ALTERED LANDSCAPE

Restoring and reconnecting land and water includes understanding our history.

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photos by

Scott Bell

FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN

Spend a Monday night at the LINC.

Words & photos by

Kyle Hansen

WHALE BREATH AND ANGEL WINGS

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

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photos by

Luke Phillips

JUMP SCARES AHEAD

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

Words by

Mac Newton

Illustration by

Ian Adams

A DOORWAY TO HOPE

ReStore helps get families into safe, sustainable NEW homes.

Words & Photos by

Karen McKinnon

SUNSET AT SMITH LAKE FARM

Four photographers capture more than just snapshots.

Words by

Sara Kempner

Featured photo by

Meredith Rose

MISADVENTURES IN BAKING

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

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photos by

Jennifer Brazil

THE SCIENCE OF SASQUATCH

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

Words by

Terrance James

Featured Photo by

Jo-Anne Johnson

VIVA LA TRASH PANDA

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

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

THE WOMAN IN THE FLORAL DRESS

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

Words by

Heather Gray

Photos by

Kareen Sanderson

RIDING DRAGONS ON THE SALISH SEA

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

Words by

Anne Arseneau

Photos by

Sara Kempner

ALL IN THE SAME BOAT

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

Words by

Jim Whyte

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

CHEERS TO THE LAZO BARREL COLLECTIVE

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

Words & Photos by

Sara Kempner

BRANCHING OUT

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

Words by

Mike B.

Photo by

Sara Kempner

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

Reflections from a younger resident.

Photo by

Sara Kempner

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

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