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.

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: KATIE PHILLIPS

Exploring the boundaries of photography, and pushing past them: that's the goal. When we imagine a "photoshoot," ...

FEATURED ARTIST: NICOLA NORTH

Nicola North spent her South African childhood climbing trees, riding horses, and living an outdoor lifestyle. ...

SEASONAL GOODS: FALL

Some things to make your autumn better—or maybe get a head start on your Christmas shopping? Keep your stuff ...

WINTER RESOLVE

It is late November and winter has hauled its gloomy tarp over the island. The sun has not appeared in weeks and I ...

Words by

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ELDER VALLEY: NATURAL EXPLORATION

The human instinct to explore is infinite To explore is to investigate the unknown, to learn about or become ...

Reflections from an older Comox Valley resident

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Elder River: Life after 70

The satisfaction found in adapting and creating A few birthdays ago, somebody told me “Everything changes ...

Reflections from an older Strathcona Region resident

Words by

Photo by

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LITTLE VALLEY: A SURVIVAL TRIP STORY

Finding magic in the sea, the forest, and our imaginations Exploring is something you do to find out more ...

Our young Comox Valley residents reflect on the home they're growing up in

Words by

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THE WORLD IS YOUR EGGPLANT

I’ve been bumping up against a lot of self-proclaimed eggplant haters lately. “Impossible!” is usually my reply. ...

Don’t be a hater. Boldly go forth and try it.

Words by

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LITTLE RIVER: ANNA ENGLAND

Life in motion: Balancing competitive sports with family-first adventures My name is Anna England. I am 13 ...

Reflections from a younger resident

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CLIMATE HOPE

In the face of increasing environmental challenges, many of us feel frequent anxiety about the planet’s future—but ...

We have the power to make change. Hope helps us act.

Words & illustration by

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INGRAHAM

The secret life of a vintage clock.

Words by

Sophie Gilmore

Photo by

Jennifer Brazil

GUYS TALKING

The power of conversation in Comox Valley men’s groups.

Words by

Hans Peter Meyer

Illustration by

Matia Meyer

40 YEARS OF VOLLY PATROL

Some dedicated folks who help keep the rest of us safe on the slopes.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photos by

Jess Cavanagh

COMOX VALLEY TRANSITION SOCIETY

Safe, affordable housing makes all the difference.

Photos by

Meredith Rose

FOUR WHEELS OF FORTUNE

Could RVs make Comox Valley housing more affordable?

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Illustration by

Lauren Spinner

PACIFIC REMEMBERING

Reflections on the joy of cold-water surfing.

Words by

Rhianna Walz

Photos by

Shelby Reid

A LINK TO THE PAST

The history of the Grieve family barn.

Words & Photos by

Jim Whyte

NEWCOMERS’ BOOK CLUB

Turning the page on another year of stories and friendship.

Words by

Hannah Slomp

Photos by

Joslyn Kilborn

A (SNOW) SHOE-IN

Finding peace in the winter mountains.

Words & photos by

Joanne McElroy

Centre Stage

The appeal of taking part in community theatre.

Words & photos courtesy of

Doris Wagner

FROM THOUGHT TO REALITY

Publisher's introduction to Vol. 36

Words & Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

GRIT AND GRACE

Kayleen VanderRee and Tyler Turner might be more competitive than your average couple. But when they participated in The Amazing Race Canada, they had to go with the flow to stay in the game.

Words by

Kayleen Vanderee

Photo by

Amazing Race Canada

Sticking To My (Traveller’s) Word

Seven continents in 40 years.

Words & Photos by

Aleisha Thomas-Lebid

Radical Love at the Art Hive

Open doors provide more than a creative opportunity for everyone.

Words by

Sara Lopez Assu

Photos courtesy of

Campbell River Art Gallery

Spending the day among strands of seaweed.

Words by

Shaelynne Bood

Photos by

Kimberley Kufaas

KEEP IT GREEN

In an era of climate change and housing pressures, how can urban forests survive and thrive?

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Opening photo by

Jen Groundwater

FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS

The history of fire protection services in Cumberland.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photos by

Sara Kempner

10,000 Volunteer Hours of Urban to Alpine

Campbell River’s Search and Rescue Society.

Words by

Tim Fairbank

Photo courtesy of

Daniel Gelson

DRIPPING IN CULTURE

Sweating my way through the public saunas of Finland and Estonia.

Words by

Lisa Jaster

Dan Webb

THE SEA IN THEIR BLOOD

Meet the diving family who’ve been harvesting geoducks by hand for three generations.

Words by

Serena Kerr

Photos by

Coast Seafoods

A CARING PRESENCE

Every week, Indigenous Elders connect with students at 11 Valley schools through the Ni’nox¯sola program.

Words by

Ni’nox¯sola program Elders

ELDER VALLEY: NESTING INSTINCT

Taking pleasure in the rituals of the changing seasons.

Words by

Doloris Paquin

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

FROM VENTURE CAPITALIST TO VINTNER

Alex Guertin’s circuitous path to a Comox Valley vineyard.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photo by

Michelle Bucher

LITTLE VALLEY: AZALEE BANKS

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

Words by

Azalee Banks, age 11

Photo by

Jen Rollins

LISTEN TO THE WHISPER

Self-discovery at hollyhock retreat centre.

Words by

Mary Ruth Snyder

Photos courtesy of

Hollyhock Retreat Centre

Drawn to the Water

Documenting coastal mariners.

Words by

Suzanne Jolly

Photos by

Stan Novotny

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: CHUCK BURDICK

The Heriot Bay Inn

Where ghosts, custodians, and community gather.

FEATURED ARTIST: SARAH CLARK

CAMP ROAD SPECIAL

Putting down roots in a place where people and stories live.

Words by

Simone Gingras-Fox

Photos by

Luke Phillips

Exploring the Roots of Midwifery

A midwife’s reflections.

Words by

Lindsay Wells

Photos by

Nycky-Jay Vanjecek

WHY WITCHCRAFT?

Modern witchcraft and how it may be able to help heal the planet.

Words & Photo by

Catriona Richardson

LITTLE RIVER: CLEMENTINE AND PEPPER WILTSIE

Reflections from a younger resident

Words by

Clementine & Pepper Wiltsie, ages 6 & 7

Photo courtesy of

Caitlin DeMill

Discovering Ancient Coastal Migration Patterns

The Hakai Institute’s new ancient DNA lab opens on Quadra Island.

Words by

Camilla Sampson

Photos courtesy of

The Hakai Institute

The Journey is the Gift

Finding Mick Taylor’s forever place.

Words by

Kathleen O’Reilly

BOW HUNTING: A MULTI-GENERATIONAL LIFETIME OF LESSONS

Raising daughters to appreciate nature through conservation.

Words by

Alison Bell

Opening photo by

Scott Bell

CREATING COMMUNITY BY THE KEG-LOAD

The family legacy behind the North Island Craft Beer Festival.

Words by

Ross Bodenmann

Photos by

Amanda Rentiers

UNCOVERING THE MYSTERIES OF TWIN ISLANDS

Stories from Sheltering in the Backrush.

Words by

Jeanette Taylor

Photos courtesy of

Cortes Island Museum & Archives