Tag Archives: Campbell River

Community

Folk U: Life on Read and Sonora Islands (Part 1)

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(Interview by Manda Aufochs Gillespie; written version by Roy L Hales)

On Friday, June 5, host Manda Aufochs Gillespie welcomed three women from neighbouring islands to Folk U Radio. Renate Harvey and Renée Desautels from Sonora Island and Sheila Hollanders from Read Island talked about their lives, families, communities and hopes for years to come. This is the first part of a highly edited and abridged version of that interview.

Manda (Host of Folk U):  Today, we’re getting closer in community with our neighbour islands—many who are even more remote than Cortes. What do we have to learn and share with our neighbours from across the waters?

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Business

Quadra Island Thrift: One Year, 30,487 Items, and a Very Well-Dressed Island

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Originally published in the Bird’s Eye

A year ago, Hannah Rohan and Shelby Mitchell stood outside a paper-covered storefront in Quathiaski Cove, grinning in front of a hand-painted sign: Thrift Store Grand Opening, Saturday, May 17. It was one of my first real cover stories as the Bird’s Eye’s new editor — two Quadra-raised locals who came home with a vision, a shared love of thrifting, and one legendary bonding bike trip behind them.

Continue reading Quadra Island Thrift: One Year, 30,487 Items, and a Very Well-Dressed Island →
Politics

Area C Director’s Report: recycle depot opening, Strathcona Gardens Service advocacy + MORE

From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney

Hello,
The buzz of bees in blooms has been welcome and the buzz around the community is increasing as spring days warm and lengthen. This report shares news about Quadra’s recycle depot (it’s opening May 30!), ongoing advocacy re: Strathcona Gardens assent vote, and Board support for investigating a First Responder Service for the Outer Discovery Islands.

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Forests

Coming Soon: The 2026 New Forest Act Roadshow

The 2026 New Forest Act Roadshow will be coming to our area next month. The Sentinel Educational Foundation and Watershed Sentinel magazine are the sponsors of the Vancouver Island leg of its tour. Jennifer Houghton, Campaign Director of the New Forest Act Proposal, will be speaking at the Campbell River United Church at 7:00 on Thursday, June 11, and Quadra Island Community Centre at 7:00 on Saturday, June 13. 

Jennifer Houghton:  ”Right now we’re seeing a decline in timber supply, mill closures, degraded lands, degraded watersheds, rising disaster costs, and less stable communities. The current system isn’t even protecting the future of forestry itself. Ecosystem decline is a serious problem across BC, and the whole structure of forestry needs to be replaced. That’s why we’ve developed a legislative proposal to restructure all forestry in BC.” 

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Politics

Strathcona Gardens – How Many Dollars Count as a Meaningful Voice?

Originally published in the Bird’s Eye

Two communities, both alike in ocean views, in fair Strathcona where we lay our scene. From ancient boundary disputes to new taxation, where civic math… wait a second, this doesn’t add up. 

I’ve been debating whether to include this story since April 29. Is it relevant? Is it journalism? Is it just my own feelings getting tangled up in local politics? Or is it representation for the people that were there? Heart and ego occasionally arrive wearing the same outfit. You know I’m telling the story.

April 29, 2026 12:27 p.m. – Your Editor arrives at the SRD building. Air cast, cane, very little sleep, and even less snacks. Outside, an impressive number of Quadra folks and friends gathered with their handmade signs, chants at the ready.

Then the front doors swing open. “Is there any media here?” a staffer shouts out.

Startled, I raised my hand. “It’s me. I’m the media.”

Continue reading Strathcona Gardens – How Many Dollars Count as a Meaningful Voice? →