Lissa Alexander

Building a Passion By Carol Watterson | Photos by Brian Argyle The manager of Paradise Acres Ranch, Katrin Bakshi, walks us over to the summer pasture to meet the horses.  They’re at the far end of the 60-acre pasture grazing, but a shake of Kat’s grain bucket entices them … [Read more...] about Paradise Acres Ranch

By Carol Watterson, Photos by Brian Argyle TAKING FLIGHTDust flies as 13-year-old Ethan Surry clears a massive jump. Ethan lives in Parksville and spends a lot of time on the local trails and at the bike park in Qualicum Beach. But mostly, he’s into dirt jumping. Since … [Read more...] about Finding Your Perfect Ride

Operation Freedom Paws: Dogs and people rescuing each other By Carol Watterson. Photos by Brian Argyle To find the training centre for Operation Freedom Paws (OFP), we needed detailed instructions — at least until we got close enough to follow the sounds of barking. Once … [Read more...] about Four Paws, Two feet, One Team

BY SHIRLEY CUPLIN, PHOTOS BY PETER MCCULLY AND LISSA ALEXANDER It would be easy enough to assume that the Silver Spur Riding Club is little more than a social group that offers fun events for equine enthusiasts. And it does do that, but there is so much more to the story of … [Read more...] about Blazing a Trail

Hilliers Estate Farms BY LISSA ALEXANDER, PHOTOS BY BRIAN ARGYLE Chris and Allena Bergen met at a barn party, and three years later, surrounded by fields of young blueberry bushes, they celebrated their marriage in that very place. The location held deep significance for … [Read more...] about A Burgeoning Berry Business