Fall Lecture Series 2026
Offered in-person at the Stan Hagen Theatre or online via Zoom
Each Lecture costs $12 if purchased in advance or $15 at the door ($20 for guests) providing there are seats available.
Eat, Drink & Be Merry - A Second Helping
From hand-crafted chocolates to the challenges of a family-run winery, we're digging in for a second helping of the food and drink that makes the Comox Valley special. We'll talk about what you can grow in your own backyard with the author of West Coast Garden Kitchen, learn how craft beers are made, trace the 30-year journey of Courtenay's Butcher's Block, and more.
Sweet Success: The Story of Hot Chocolates
Michele Henry, Hot Chocolates
Saturday Oct 17, 10-Noon
It all began with some homemade truffles on Denman Island. Now, Hot Chocolates is celebrating its 40th anniversary selling handcrafted sweet treats in Courtenay. Come hear about the journey and taste some delicious samples from the store.
Michele is the general manager and co-owner of Hot Chocolates and Cakebread Artisan Bakery, two locally
owned Comox Valley businesses with a combined legacy of more than 60 years. Since 2002, Michele has helped
guide the companies through growth, innovation, changing retail landscapes and an evolving digital marketplace,
while remaining committed to exceptional customer experiences and meaningful community involvement.
Food Security in the Valley
Arzeena Hamir, LUSH Valley Food Action Society
Saturday Oct 24, 10-Noon
Food security touches everyone in the Comox Valley. We all rely on food coming from off-island to provide sustenance year-round. LUSH Valley Food Action Society aims to strengthen the local food system by encouraging more people to grow their own food as well as to purchase food from local farmers to increase economic viability. The society also teaches citizens how to cook and preserve the bounty of the valley.
Arzeena earned her bachelor’s degree in crop science from the University of Guelph and a master’s in sustainable agriculture from the University of London, England. She worked as a CUSO volunteer in Thailand and as a researcher in Jamaica, India, and Bangladesh. She was the staff agrologist for West Coast Seeds from 1997 to 1999, served as the coordinator of the Richmond Food Security Society from 2008-2012, and was co-chair of the Technical Committee for Farmers for Climate Solutions. She and her husband run Amara Farm, a 25-acre certified organic farm in Courtenay.
The Meat Industry, Then & Now
Robert Smith, The Butcher's Block
Saturday Oct 31, 10-Noon
The Butcher’s Block’s assistant manager gives us a close look at how the beef industry has changed over the last 40 years. Find out why there’s a sudden surge in beef prices now and learn the history behind the Butcher Block’s time in the Comox Valley.
The Butcher’s Block has been serving the Comox Valley as a locally owned and operated butcher shop since 1985. As assistant manager, Rob Smith has been with the business from the beginning.
A West Coast Kitchen Garden
Sabrina Currie, Edible Vancouver Island
Saturday Nov 7, 10-Noon
Photographer and writer Sabrina Currie will take us on a journey through her backyard garden and give us tips on how to forage and grow our food.
Sabrina is a writer and photographer, and the creator of the popular food and gardening blog West Coast Kitchen Garden. She is a regular contributor to Edible Vancouver Island and often offers her writing and photography services to food and beverage-based businesses. With a background in culinary school, photography and sommelier training, she is passionate about encouraging her readers and community to grow, forage and source food as locally as possible.
Ace Brewing Company
Jo-Anne Landolt, Ace Brewing Company
Saturday Nov 14, 10-Noon
Explore Ace Brewing Company from its beginnings to present day, with Jo-Anne highlighting challenges, struggles, and proud moments along the way. Learn about the trials and tribulations of owning and operating a brewery in a highly competitive industry while maintaining a positive outlook and continuing to adapt to changing times.Ace Brewing Company opened its doors on Friday, September 13, 2019 — just six months before the COVID-19 pandemic began. While many businesses, including breweries, were forced to close their doors, Ace has persevered by continually adapting to the demands of today’s economy.
Jo-Anne brings a background in logistics and management, while her husband Kent serves as head of maintenance. After relocating back to Vancouver Island, the couple decided to open their own brewery. Kent has been building and installing brew systems across North America since the early 1990s, and together they thought it would be “fun” to create a brewery of their own.
40 Knots: Family Behind Farm
Brenda Hetman Craig & Layne Robert Craig
Saturday Nov 21, 10-Noon
Discover how, at 40 Knots Winery, one family’s return to farming became a journey of connection, sustainability, and celebration. Learn how multi-generational traditions shape the way the family grows and crafts wine and cider—directly from its land to your glass. This talk explores the joy of cultivating with purpose, preserving heritage, and sharing the richness of Vancouver Island through experiences rooted in the farm.
Layne and Brenda are the husband-and-wife team that owns 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery. Brenda was raised in the Peace River area, on a farm in North Pine, BC where her grandfather first came over from Manitoba in 1930. Her families originally immigrated from Poland in late 1800s. Layne was raised in Midale, Saskatchewan, and is a sixth-generation farmer in Canada. His family immigrated in early 1800s from Ireland.