MISERY BAY PARK—On July 23 Friends of Misery Bay (FOMB) hosted a group of 92 people from the Toronto area. Seventy-seven young adults from the Toronto area who are attending a six-week long leadership summer camp in the Sudbury area and their 15 group leaders came to explore the unique alvar habitat at Misery Bay.
Volunteer guides Ian Anderson, Kris Mutasov, Gaynor Orford and John Diebolt led hikes to the shore, pointing out unusual features. Mike Meeker gave presentations on fish ecology and fish farming and Ian Anderson on the fur trade. The presentations were listened to very attentively by all groups. The guides’ knowledge was tested repeatedly by skill testing questions by the students!
The group was treated to an impressive luncheon with smoked fish provided by Mike Meeker and food items donated by a host of volunteers.
The day was an educational outing for the Solelim Camp and a small fundraiser for the FOMB. President John Diebolt said, “It went extremely well, so much so that they are coming back next year. Thanks goes to Gaynor from all of us for organizing this outing. I would say that I am amazed at the amount of support and help we received. It is simply what our Friends do.”
The summer staff at Misery Bay Provincial Park will take visitors on guided tours from Monday to Friday between 10 am and 4 pm. This is the only provincial park on Manitoulin Island that has an information centre for the public, and it has well-marked trails. One of the trails leads to a brand new shelter along the bay. Most of the park land was donated by one family, Calvin and Eunice Sifferd, for the enjoyment of the public and the protection of the unique alvar habitat here.
Another group of volunteers are once again turning bowls on the potter’s wheels, producing more soup bowls to be used as a fundraiser for FOMB. Jan McQuay and a group of talented artists raised approximately $1,700. These monies helped pay for the new shelter. Bowl sales this year are once again going briskly. Garden’s Gate Restaurant has sold quite a few and some weekends they are available at the Mindemoya Market.
Added John Diebolt, “We have sold bowls to people from all over the world. It’s a nice thought—the artistic productions are spreading a little bit of Manitoulin and Misery Bay around the world.”
