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.

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

Words by

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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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Engineering a new life at Surf Side Fungus Farm

In January 2024, the words “gourmet mushrooms” hadn’t left the noisy confines of my brain. By 2025, Surf Side ...

How to quit your day job

Words by

Photos by

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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 Donohoe-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

ALL FIRED UP

Award-winning potter Gordon Hutchens may be in his seventies, but he’s still got plenty of clay to shape, students to teach, and ideas to pursue.

Words & Photo by

Trish Weatherall

Photo by

Scott Bell

PLAYING WITH FIRE

On a hot summer day in 1938, a few sparks from a locomotive caused Vancouver Island’s largest blaze.

Words by

Christa Petch

Photos provided by

Courtenay and District Museum

COURTENAY AFTER COVID

Twenty years after the pandemic, a local historian looks back.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

DRAWN TO THE FLAMES

Because our personal relationship with fire is a cautious one, we love the excitement of fire shows.

Words by

Lisa Hamilton

Photo by

Ali Marie Parker

ART, A HARVEST, AND A BLESSING

Public Place / Sacred Space leaves a meaningful legacy in downtown Courtenay.

Words by

Spencer Sheehan-Kalina

Photo by

Alun Macanulty

SWEAT IT OUT

Bathing in the benefits of hot-cold rituals.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

VERACITY OF THE VESPIDS

Wasps are a family of insects truly to be loathed. Or are they?

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photo by

Curtis Parker

PUTTING THE SUN TO WORK

Vancouver Island’s first Passive House Plus is healthful, comfortable, beautiful—and costs nothing to heat.

Words by

John Gower

Photos by

Luke Phillips

FORGED IN TOUGH TIMES

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Kyle Hansen

Small Town, Big Music Scene

What you not know about the Sayward Valley Folk Music Society

Words by

Bob Sampson

Photos by

David Stevenson

Haig-Brown Writer in Residence Program

A place of welcome and inspiration on the banks of Campbell River.

Words By

Ken Blackburn

Words By

Sandra Parrish

Freedom, Flexibility, and Adventure

Enjoying the region in an unconventional way.

Words By

Daniela Bizama

Photo By

Reuben Mills

Born Wild

Meet Matt Ravai, The Oudoorsman.

Words By

Nicole Bertram

Article Photo By

Jenn Dykstra

Finding Connection, Nourishing Community

One family's renewed commitment to celebrating food, family, and friends.

Words By

Carmen Amberson

Photos By

Erin Wallis

Braving The Storm

Surfing wind waves during winter is not for the light-hearted.

Words By

Trevor Blasky

Photos By

Pat Salamon

Little River: Jonah E. Richter

Reflections from a younger resident

Words By

Jonah E. Richter

Photo By

Jess Cavanagh

Small But Mighty

Meet one of Campbell River's community builders.

Words By

Sophia Sauter

Photos By

Alex McIntosh

From Tater Tots to Full-Fledged Foodie

How an inedible childhood cultivated a Campbell River chef.

Words By

Amber Assu

Photos By

Sierra Assu

A Very True Story

My grizzly bear attack and run of exceptionally good luck.

Words By

Colin Dowler

Photo By

Jenn Dykstra

Always A Rock in my Pocket

Transforming the way we look at simple, everyday objects.

Words By

Julie Glaspy

Photos By

Vince Kehn

Featured Photographer: Moira Le Patourel

Helping people help others for over 30 years.

Words By

Craig Gillis

Laurel Cronk

An Aerial Perspective

Seeing the forest and the trees without leaving the ground.

Words & Photo By

Colin Filliter

Exploring West

Thirty-five kilometer of trail, six friends, six backpacks, four days, three nights, and one impromptu adventure.

Words & Photo By

Laurel Sliskovic

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