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.

A LINK TO THE PAST

One of the oldest buildings in the Comox Valley stands silent vigil on the highway to Campbell River. You can see ...

The history of the Grieve family barn.

Words & Photos by

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NEWCOMERS’ BOOK CLUB

A group of women were gathered around a propane fire pit on Kye Bay in the fall of 2022. The sun was setting; they ...

Turning the page on another year of stories and friendship.

Words by

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Photos by

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A (SNOW) SHOE-IN

The mountains beckon me throughout the year, but somehow their call in winter is different and holds a special ...

Finding peace in the winter mountains.

Words & photos by

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Centre Stage

My name is Doris Wagner and I was born in Innsbruck, Austria. I grew up with parents who loved the music of our ...

The appeal of taking part in community theatre.

Words & photos courtesy of

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FROM THOUGHT TO REALITY

The birth of the Comox Valley Collective As we go into our 10th year of publishing this magazine, I am ...

Publisher's introduction to Vol. 36

Words & Photo by

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GRIT AND GRACE

Tyler and I stood crouched at the start line in Winnipeg this past April. Snow blew sideways, but our nervous ...

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

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Photo by

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Sticking To My (Traveller’s) Word

When I was 17, I was accepted to participate in the Tall Ship Millennium Challenge out of Southampton, England; a ...

Seven continents in 40 years.

Words & Photos by

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Radical Love at the Art Hive

Tradition is a funny thing. It's something we hold on to when the lights go out—guiding, connecting, grounding us. ...

Open doors provide more than a creative opportunity for everyone.

Words by

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Photos courtesy of

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Photos by

Nancy Carr-Hilton

Little River

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

Words by

Sophie Kuhl

Words by

Simon Kuhl

The Gardening Movement

Three soil experts share their knowledge on the past and future of growing

Words by

Arzeena Hamir

Words by

Heather Gray

Building a Technology Hub

How angel investors support economic development through innovative projects.

Words by

David Baar

Photos by

Damien Jannet

Paddling Adventures

A family explores Cortes Island by kayak

Words & Photos by

Lisa Levesque

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