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.

FAREWELL TO THE DENTAL BUS

Things are often done a little differently on the Gulf Islands. Partly by necessity, partly by inclination, these ...

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

Words by

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Photos courtesy of

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THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

The legend of the Flying Dutchman, a ghost ship doomed to never enter port, has been told and retold since the ...

How an infamous pirate’s luck ran out on Vancouver Island.

Words by

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GOOD AS GOLD

I first became drawn to mead because of my Scandinavian heritage: mead plays an important role in many of the ...

Mead-making: flavour and fun from honey.

Words by

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BY DESIGN

While some of us were out celebrating Valentine’s Day this past February, Eugen Sushko was feverishly drawing at ...

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

Words by

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BETTER BULLETINS

Colin Garritty has an enviable job. Four days a week, all winter long, he gets paid to ski and snowmobile the ...

Avalanche Canada comes to the Island.

Words by

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Campbellton

For decades, the renowned Campbell River surged past the small neighbourhood of Campbellton all but unseen by ...

From its roots to a community in renewal.

Words by

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FORAGING FOR FLAVOUR

When we think about hunting and gathering, the season we usually think of is fall. For many of us, there’s nothing ...

Local gourmet comfort foods help you settle in for winter.

Words by

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CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

My husband and I moved to the Comox Valley four years ago. From the start, we’ve enjoyed navigating our way around ...

An ode to the charms of the secondhand bookstore.

Words by

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GIVE IT A REST

When I was a kid growing up in the ’70s and ’80s in Montreal, stores were closed on Sundays. Every single store. ...

Go on, take a whole day off. We used to do it once every week.

Words by

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FEATURED ARTIST: LAURIE MARTZ

Laurie is a “late in life” painter who moved to the Comox Valley after retiring in 2015 from a busy career as a ...

BUILDING ON NATURE

Furniture builders share their love of the craft.

Words by

Ross Bodenmann

Opening photo by

Sparrow and Me Photography

SEAS OF CHANGE

Saving more than local kelp forests.

Words by

Tim Ennis

Opening photo by

Grant Callegari

LOST AND FOUND

A visit to Nymph Falls provides poetic inspiration.

Words by

Nora Bingham

Photos by

Paige Owen

HENS 101

A beginner’s guide to keeping chickens.

Words & Photos by

Rebekah Kenway

COMPLETE COMBUSTION

A young mason unites modern heating challenges with ancient solutions.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

BUILDING A LEGACY

A decorated fire chief combines the wisdom gained from experience with a view to the future.

Interview by

Ross Bodenmann

Photos by

Comox Fire Department

LIFELONG LEARNING

Community education thrives in Cumberland.

Words by

Sue Loveless

Photo by

Sara Kempner

FINDING A CONNECTION

One company’s quest to bridge the ever-growing gap between nature and technology.

Words by

Alissa Wild

Photos by

Kyle Hansen

HE ART OF THE PICK UP

Flexing your inner badass at the bar.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

ART ALCHEMY

Artists in the Comox Valley create and cultivate a vibrant studio/gallery.

Words by

RJ Herron

Photo by

Karen McKinnon

LITTLE VALLEY: ANJA LEIKERMOSER

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

Words by

Anja Leikermoser, Age 13

A RETURN TO LIFE

Monumental efforts help salmon return to the Tsolum River.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photos by

Dave Prothero

FLOATING BELOW

The tragic end and beautiful rediscovery of the SS Capilano.

Words & Photos by

Eiko Jones

FINDING BALANCE

One couple’s quest to fish sustainably and satisfy spot prawn-lovers.

Words by

Tatiana Baron

Photos by

Lance Underwood

FOREST FLOW

The esoteric feeling at the heart of forest conservation.

Words by

Evan Gough

Photo by

Nik Dunn

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Words by

Julie Sabey

Photo by

Nik Dunn

ABUELO’S CORN TORTILLAS

A local business grows by staying true to their origins.

Words & Photos by

Ross Bodenmann

COMPLEX TERRAIN

Navigating art and nature in the heart of Vancouver Island.

Words & Paintings by

Clive Powsey

HERBALISM 101

How to use supplements to reclaim health in the winter months.

Words by

Yarrow Willard

Philippa Joly

DANCING IN THE DARK

Vancouver Island’s greatest discoveries may lie beneath the rainforest and mountains it is most known for.

Words by

Terry McKall

QUIETLY QUADRA

At once, this peaceful destination typifies “island life” while following a path of its own.

Words by

Annette Yourk

Photos by

Boomer Jerritt

LOVE IS A BURNING THING

Words by

Mike B

FUMBLING TOWARDS GRACE

A writer finds her groove while cross country skiing in Strathcona Park.

Words by

Sandra Szabo

Photo by

SHOW OF PROGRESS

The stories told during the World Community Film Festival voice the passionate and varied work of present day activists and artists.

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

FINDING FORBIDDEN

Separating truth from fiction in the Comox Valley’s backyard.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Illustration by

Ian Adams

PULLING PLASTIC

Indoor climbing gives wet weather adventurers a new way to play on rainy days.

Words by

Dave Benton

Photos by

Lorenz Jimenez

TOFINO

Surf, storms, and serenity.

INSPIRED BY SOUND

Two of Cumberland’s citizens build a legacy of music from behind the stage.

Words by

RJ Herron

Opening photo by

Kove Photography

A BIG TENT WITH BIG INTENT

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photos by

Ron Pogue

BRIDGING HISTORY

The Trent River Trestle connects Cumberland and Royston with more than steel and timber.

Words & Photos by

Bevin Clempson

SEWING WILD

A man, his sewing machine, and a passion for new experiences come together in a Cumberland business.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

YOUTHFUL CYCLE

A Comox Valley adventure prodigy looks to the future without stressing about the present.

Interview by

Amber Zirnhelt

Photos by

Chris Webster

FORAGING 101

Words & Photos by

Kristy Pedersen

MATERIALIZING THE SOUL

Three Comox Valley jewellers carry on the tradition of hand made, wearable art while applying distinct creative visions.

Words & Photos by

OSCAR’S STORY

How a single animal’s spirit led to the care of many others in need.

Words by

Candice Pacholuk

Photos by

Leanne Robinson

KINDRED SPIRIT

Kindred Custom Snowboards

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

THE HUMAN FACTOR

Making smart decisions in the backcountry.

Words by

Jan Neuspiel

Photos by

Island Alpine Guides

WHEN HERRING SPAWN

An ecological highlight of the Comox Valley winter arrives alongside these fascinating fish.

Heather & Keith Nicol

LITTLE VALLEY: SHOLEH KERRIGAN

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

Words by

Sholeh Kerrigan, Age 9

OUT OF THE BLUE

An interview with Marla Limousin.