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    • Home
    • Friends Of Misery Bay
      • Mission Statement
      • Become A Member
      • Talks & Presentations
      • Donations - Fund Raising
      • Our Projects
      • Turtle Tracks
      • Observations & FAQ's
      • Board of Directors
      • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Visitors Centre
      • About
      • Displays & Activities
    • Park Information
      • History
      • Description
      • How Misery Got Its Name
      • Map & Directions
      • Ontario Parks
      • Trail Maps & Hotspots
    • Reviews
  • Home
  • Friends Of Misery Bay
    • Mission Statement
    • Become A Member
    • Talks & Presentations
    • Donations - Fund Raising
    • Our Projects
    • Turtle Tracks
    • Observations & FAQ's
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • Store
  • Visitors Centre
    • About
    • Displays & Activities
  • Park Information
    • History
    • Description
    • How Misery Got Its Name
    • Map & Directions
    • Ontario Parks
    • Trail Maps & Hotspots
  • Reviews

TAKE A LOOK & LISTEN TO GEORGIA HATHAWAY'S haunting NEW SONg

BETWEEN THE GREEN - Released April 11, 2024

The songs on this album are inspired by the people and places I encountered during my artist residency with 4elements Living Arts on Manitoulin Island. They also represent the journey I’ve taken to heal from trauma, and the transformative power of going somewhere new to find yourself.  


Born from a glacier thousands of years ago, the Alvar ecosystem on Manitoulin is the only one of its kind in Canada. Picture flat rock, extending far along the shoreline, tiny holes embedded in it. These little depressions in the rock are homes to many species of mosses and algae, the only organisms that can survive the harsh climate of the area. They are exposed to the elements all year round - hot sun, winds, freezing temperatures, snow and rains. Every living thing that ekes out an existence here has had to carve out its own path and live through incredible challenges. 


For me, the Alvar is a teacher:  the very harshness of the ecosystem contributes to its beauty.  Having lived through multiple brain injuries causing me to live with disability, the Alvar inspires me in its capacity to embrace limitation.  It's a symbol of resilience - the drive to keep going no matter what life throws at you.


Thanks to Misery Bay Provincial Park, who allowed me to film this incredible place, and 4elements Living Arts with whom I did my artist residency.  Thank you also to everyone who collaborated on this song - Kathryn Merriam on piano, Tristan Murphy on drums, Elena Spanu on fiddle, and Chris Adriaanse on bass.


For more information on Georgia & her tours,  go to:   www.georgiahathaway.com 


LYRICS TO ALVAR

Glacier cutting through

The comma and the groove

Ancient shoreline sands

The thistle roots command

Roots command, roots command

Algae, dolostone,

The Mosses make their home

Feather scale and skin

Exoskeleton

Alvar, thrives on the edge

Alvar, carving a way ahead

Carving a way ahead 

The soils freeze and thaw

The acid decomposes all 

The soils freeze and thaw

The acid decomposes all

Alvar, thrives on the edge

Alvar, carving a way ahead

Carving a way ahead 

About the park


Misery Bay Provincial Park is located on an ancient flat rock sea bottom and features areas of flat limestone plains known as alvars, unique habitats that host highly specialized vegetation adapted to the harsh conditions of this environment. During the late spring and late summer, the alvars are ablaze with wildflowers. It is this feature that makes the Misery Bay Nature Reserve a world class park. The Great Lakes Basin has the only alvars found in North America, and most of the alvars found in the world. The Manitoulin cluster of alvars are the most significant alvars found anywhere in the world.

The park also supports rich and varied population of wildlife. Manitoulin is noted for its many migrant and resident birds, and Misery Bay lives up to that reputation. At Misery Bay birders will find a variety of birding environments and staging areas during Misery Bay Provincial Park is located 35 kilometers west of the Town of Gore Bay, on the south shore of Manitoulin Island; the world's largest freshwater island,  It features flora, fauna and glacial features that are among the rarest of their kind in the province. It also contains the most significant wetland on Manitoulin Island, 15 km of Lake Huron shoreline and extensive areas of scrub woodland and mixed forest. The park, a day-use only nature reserve, was created for the protection of these habitats while allowing opportunities for the appreciation of this diverse natural heritage. A network of carefully selected hiking trails wind through the less fragile areas of the park, providing excellent viewing opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. For winter enjoyment these same trails become a snowy wonderland.migration. Butterflies are numerous in the park, as are turtles. Visitors might be fortunate enough to glimpse a variety of such other wild creatures as otter, fishers, fox, coyote, and other mammals. 

Alvar Shoreline

Alvar Shoreline