Early residents in our area often turned to special tonics and salves when they were searching to cure the ailments they had. Hawkers from medicine shows sold bottles of magic potions that promised to cure everything from bunions to baldness, and local stores would stock elixirs that touted the same kind of properties.
The Stryker Area Heritage Council is inviting people to enjoy a fun night as two area ladies known as the Black Swamp Medicine Girls look back into the old time remedies that were common in the 19th and early 20th century. The program will also feature actual demonstrations of some of the vintage medical treatments people would use as a glimpse into how ailments were treated in bygone days.
Susan Wiesehan and Jeanne Caryer have collected a host of vintage medicine bottles and will discuss the old time remedies with the crowd.
They will include demonstrations of treatments, such as the violet ray electrostatic machine that was touted as having the ability to cure everything from lumbago to carbuncles.
They also invite people to bring any old medicine bottles or local apothecary bottles to their presentation and ask any questions they have about them.
The program by the Black Swamp Medicine Girls will be held on November 11 at the Stryker United Methodist Church, 301 Cherry Street, and is free and open to the public.
The presentation is the major part of the Stryker Area Heritage Council’s annual meeting that night. A brief business meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. consisting of a review of the 2016 activities and election of 3 trustees by the heritage council members followed directly by the program.
Prior to the meeting, there will be a dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the church featuring a meal of scalloped potatoes and ham, green bean casserole, cole slaw, dinner roll, drink and assorted cakes. Cost for the meal is $10, which is payable at the door. Reservations need to be made for the dinner by calling 419-682-1653 or 419-682-1673 or by e-mailing the council at info@strykerahc.org. Reservations should be made by Nov. 7.
INFORMATION PROVIDED