A Mystiscope.
SEELEY LAKE - Winters with deep snows and long nights in Seeley Lake have traditionally tended to cause restlessness from being in a confined area. Some get an unhappy and impatient feeling that comes from being indoors for too long. Others get extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation indoors for a prolonged time. All these feelings are commonly known as Cabin Fever.
Over the past century winter residents have devised many ways to deal with this malady.
These days find people clad in snowsuits or lycra-wear while beeling or skiing to get exercise and vitamin D. Living rooms glow and blink from electronic games and television screens.
A half century ago Seeley Lakers had the same Cabin Fever maladies but the cures were quite different. Family puzzles and games, handmade brainteasers, woodworking, models and all sorts of handiwork were the evening entertainment – often without benefit of electric lighting.
Outdoor activities were blessed with plenty of snow and ice. Energy could be used pushing snow off the lake to create a skating area. Snowshoes and cross-country skis allowed exploration of the outback. Snow and gravity made sledding fun. Holes in the ice provided a pastime and an occasional meal. Families talked.
Occasionally, something a bit quirky or unique would show up to help cure the Cabin Fever. One such cure was a combination ouija board, spin-the-bottle and magic 8 ball. It was a "devise that thinks" called a Mystiscope. It was touted to usually give unmistakably true and good answers to foretelling the future, and healing those mentally and physically ill. An antique Mystiscope can be seen in the Seeley Lake Historical Museum.
The Seeley Lake Historical Museum now offers a display of several Cabin Fever Cures from yesteryear. Although the museum is only open by appointment from now until Memorial Day, a special showing of the display will be featured Sunday, Jan. 24 from noon-5 p.m.
For more information email slhistory@blackfoot.net or phone 677-2990.
Reader Comments(0)