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.

ESCAPE AT INNISFREE FARM

"I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree, And a small cabin build there of clay and wattles made: Nine ...

Exploring a whimsical, botanical playground

Words and Photos by

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REVIVAL VINTAGE

As a vintage clothing seller, I’ve noticed the evolution of garments over the years, from well-made, ...

seller’s perspective on bringing a lost art back to life

Words by

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HEATHER GORDON MURPHY: HELPING PEOPLE DRINK LESS

As a long-time resident of Campbell River, Heather Gordon Murphy has seen many iterations of the community. One ...

WITH A GRANT FROM CAUDS, A PLAY STARTS A CONVERSATION

Words by

Photos by

WOLF BLOSSOM

There’s a certain magic in working with your hands. For Amy Woulfe, the founder of Wolf Blossom, it began with a ...

CRAFTING LEATHER WITH PASSION, PURPOSE, AND A LITTLE WILD SPIRIT

Words by

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Photos by

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THE REINVENTION OF A HISTORIC PUB-TO-PUB TRAIL

Once upon a time—actually, as recently as 2017—the Oyster River area was home to one of Vancouver Island’s most ...

Oyster River to Salmon Point

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Illustration by

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CHRIS GIBBONS FINDS FUN IN HIS WORK AS AN ARBORIST

When we first meet, Chris Gibbons tells me he spent the past weekend in Quatsino Sound taking down a danger tree—a ...

More than monkey business

Words by

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The Comox Strathcona Waste Management Service

The spark of environmental stewardshipAs a small child, my dream was to make a difference in the world. ...

Community initiatives

Words by

Photo by

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Cycling Without Age offers free bike rides for seniors

During my 35-year nursing career, I embraced the idea that everyone has a story and those stories need to be ...

Wind in their hair

Words by

Photos by

Upana Caves

Deep in the earthDeep in the heart of the earth our voices sounded muted, absorbed by layers of rock. ...

one traveller finds more than they sought

Words by

Photos by

SEA LION SOLILOQUY

I’ve got to tell you. The first time I caught a glimpse of her, I did a double take. I had been travelling up the ...

A poetic young pinniped and the art of storytelling.

Words by

Photos by

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Traffic Jam

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

Words by

Tacey Keighley

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

Small Farm, Big Ideas

A family grows on Quadra’s SouthEnd Winery

Words by

Ben McGuffie

Photos by

Erin Wallis

Vertical Madness

Students sewing themselves into the sky

Words by

Mike Davies

Photos by

Allan Sawchuck

Burrell’s Bog

Protected space for the birds in Beaver Lodge Lands

Words & Photos by

Bob Dice

Words by

Trevor McMonagle

In Motion

Words by

Trevor McMonagle

Photos by

Tyrah Hofer

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

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

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photos by

Luc Antaya

IT’S A WET COLD

Winter camping in Strathcona Provincial Park.

Words by

Kayleen Vanderee

Photos by

Matt Meredith

LITTLE VALLEY: AVA THOMAS

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

Words by

Ava Thomas

Photo by

Sara Kempner

THE BLUE BUZZ

Wild swimmers are only ever one swim away from a good mood.

Words by

Kerry Hale

Photo by

Glenn Naylor

THE GIFT OF MOTION

A new non-profit wants all queer athletes to have role models and cheerleaders.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photos by

Meredith Rose

RETHINKING ONIGIRI

A Hornby Island entrepreneur takes a beloved Japanese seafood snack to the next level.

Words by

Britt Hanson

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

GETTING THE DRIFT

As a vibrant poetry scene emerges in the Valley, a new anthology showcases over three dozen poets’ work.

Words by

Ed Varney

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

DROP INTO A DEEP READ

Photographer Duncan Hague creates space to tell mountain biking’s unsung stories.

Words by

Dave Flawse

Photo by

Duncan Hague

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Meet the organization that aims to help all Comox Valley children reach their full potential.

Words by

Trish Weatherall

Photos by

Crystal Chowdhury

MUD, MESS, AND MAGIC

Making a case for outdoor education.

Words by

Britt Hanson

Photos by

Sara Kempner

SALMON AND STEWARDSHIP

the K’ómoks First Nation Guardian Watchmen use the bounty of the sea to help protect the forest.

Words by

Lisa Levesque

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

BREWMOX VALLEY 2.0

Not even a pandemic has stopped our growing love for local craft beer.

Words by

Max Oudendag

Photos by

Sara Kempner

WHERE THERE’S WATER, THERE’S HOPE

Clearflo Solutions was already working on the global clean water crisis. Then their technology was needed much closer to home.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Jenny Deters

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS

Winters in the Valley aren’t what they used to be. What does this mean for our water supply?

Words by

Tim Ennis

Photos by

Brett Kroeker

KNIT LIKE A NORWEGIAN

Words by

Allie Jenkinson

Photos by

Joslyn Kilborn

MUSIC WAS OUR CONTRABAND

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photo by

RJ Herron

LET THE RIVERS RUN

Streamkeepers keep a watchful eye on the Valley’s precious waterways.

Words by

Tanis Gower

Photos by

Meredith Rose

THE DUBIOUS PLEASURES OF WINTER BIRDING

Join the hardy, determined, somewhat anti-social ranks of winter birders.

Words by

Jason Straka

Photo by

James Mackenzie

BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED

From Cumberland to the Caribbean, Chicago, and back: a local couple comes full circle.

Words by

Anja Roberts

Photo by

Crystal Chowdhury

A LIFE LIVED WITH VOLUME

We dedicate this volume of the CVC to Thomas Dunn, who inspired family, friends, and entire communities to experience everything in a big way. He will be missed.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Nik Dunn

COME TO THE DARK SIDE

Heighten your senses with a walk in the forest after dark.

Words by

Wendy Mayers

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

BULBS OF GLORY

Oh, how we love you, beautiful, smelly, powerful garlic.

Words by

Darren Howlett

Photo by

Jennifer Brazil

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: CURTIS BLACKBURN

THE COHOUSING CONCEPT

Courtenay’s sustainable, social cohousing community creates a village of neighbours.

Words by

John Gower

Photos by

Meredith Rose

FEATURED ARTIST: SHARON LALONDE

THE NORTHEAST WOODS

Comox’s favourite forest playground has many stories to tell.

Words by

Kerry Hale

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

The Origins of the Comox Valley Writers Society

Word-lovers unite

Words by

Joline Martin

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

PUBLISHED IN A PANDEMIC

Recent and recommended – books by local authors.

LITTLE VALLEY: RORY KEHLER

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

Words by

Rory Kehler

SHELTER IN A NEW LAND

For decades, private sponsors have been helping refugees find safe haven in the Comox Valley.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photo collage courtesy of

Sue Rambow

THE VILLAGE TINKER

Forging ahead in uncertain times.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

EVEN BETTER TOGETHER

The Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation harnesses the power of collective giving to enhance local healthcare.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Marcie Dumais

PUTTING DOWN THE SAWS

Sy Pederson’s short film Tree Killer tells a story of rebellious loggers and advocates for change in BC’s forestry industry.

Words by

RJ Herron

Photo by

Chukwumuobi Obasi

FROM SECRET KNOWLEDGE TO SELF-IMPROVEMENT

A brief history of freemasonry.

Words by

Kevin Flesher

Featured photo by

Jim Whyte

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