The sound of slap, slap, slap could be heard by visitors at the Weisenberg-Lowhill Historical Society fall festival Sept. 9 at Werleys Corner.

The sound came from boys playing beanbags without any rules and the bags were bouncing off the targets and each other - but they were having fun.

Carl Mengel was back with Carlos, his goat that pulls a wagon.

His first goat that came to the festival has arthritis and can no longer pull the wagon. The second goat is too old, so Carlos, 5, has taken the reins.

The name Carlos is derived from Carl and Louise, his wife.

John Hirschbock was talking about the Cetronia Ambulance Corps and giving tours of the vehicle to those who were interested.

He said many people stopped by and the children took coloring books and crayons when they left.

Don Breininger presided over a table filled with old tools and a Howard’s Potato Chips can. He pointed to two women, Ella Mae Hemerly and Irene Wessner, who knew more about the Howard’s company.

Howard’s last name was Sofie and the chips were made on the Edna Sechler farm. The company also made corn curls and was the first company to make peanut butter corn curls.

They were there at least as far back as the 1930s and the company lasted into the 1940s or ’50s.

Scott Dietrich said he lost about 50 percent of his bee colonies last winter and fears it may be worse this year.

He told children they should try to find the queen bee in the observation hive he brought. The queen is noticeably larger than the worker or drone bees, he explained.

Members of Big Valley Bluegrass, Bill Parker on mandolin and guitar, Keith Kester on bass, Gina Ross on guitar and Paul Spriet on banjo, provided the musical entertainment.

Gayle Jones and Chris Bruno, of Hereford, brought Lola the donkey, along with other barnyard animals. Jones said donkeys are stronger than a horse and will turn around in an area no larger than a chair. She has two other donkeys at home, as well as two horses, and two goats used by their daughter for 4-H, and rabbits.

“Everything we have are pets,” Jones said.

Toy-size farm equipment was on display in the history room of the hotel. Life magazines from 1936 to 1972 were bound in notebooks and are available for viewing.

A stereoscope had a sign suggesting visitors view the picture, which was of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Two public sale and farm stock posters were in the barroom and one advertised a horse sale.

Gloria Zimmerman said she was reminiscing with some friends in one of the upstairs rooms. The family Bible of Owen Werley and Sarah Seibert Werley was on the table.

And, Justin Cappuccino played some old hymns on the antique organ.