BWE Maine '25: Friday, July 25th, and Saturday, July 26th.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Feb 28, 2025 5:34 pm

****UPDATE 3/15/25****

BWE MAINE '25

+++++++++++++

Hi BWEers,

This Maine weekend is really exploding into quite an event, between on- and off-line commitments, we could have 20-30 BWEers there, which would be awesome in my book. After 25 years, I have no idea how many more of these gatherings we have in us, I take none of these occasions for granted. I'm already working on making sure I have the infrastructure in place to accommodate everyone.

I'm happy to accommodate even last minute reservations, it's just a matter of making sure we order enough lobster. The steak orders on the second night (with fine northern Medocs) are even easier to accommodate. The bigger issue is making sure you can get into Maine and getting hotel accommodations in the Lewiston area. PLEASE DO NOT PLAN ON ARRIVING AT THE LAST MINUTE!!! I simply cannot emphasize that enough. If anyone has any thoughts of attending, please at least book local hotel reservations (listed below) now. I believe they all have liberal cancellation policies.

We have two two-day events blocked off that week, everyone is invited to either or both of these events:

EVENT #1: THE MAIN EVENT WEEKEND.

Day 1
Friday, July 25th

Dinner:

4-8pm

Steamed lobster at my house with fixings, with champagne, white and red Burgundy, and Sauternes, and red Bordeaux is not ruled out.

We will of course have other food options available to those allergic to lobster.

Day 2:
Saturday, july 26th

Lunch:

We leave Lewiston at 10:30am for 50 minute drive to Five Islands Lobster Company for early lunch (to beat the crowd at 11:30am) lobster rolls, we are encouraged to bring our own wine (white Burgundy), it is a spectacularly beautiful spot on the coast of Maine.

https://fiveislandslobster.com

Dinner:

5-8pm

Steaks grilled at my house, corn on the cob and other fixings, we pull out the big boy northern Medocs from my cellar, more champagne, Sauternes, etc.

On both nights of course, we have available that delicious Maine chocolate dessert treat known as La Pie de la Whoopie....

EVENT #2: THE JEAN-FRED / JOSIE VISIT

Everyone is invited....

Day 1: Wednesday, July 30th

4-8pm

Steamed lobster at my house with fixings, with champagne, white and red Burgundy, and Sauternes, and red Bordeaux is not ruled out.

We will of course have other food options available to those allergic to lobster.

Day 2: Thursday, July 31st

Lunch:

We leave Lewiston at 10:30am for 50 minute drive to Five Islands Lobster Company for early lunch (to beat the crowd at 11:30am) lobster rolls, we are encouraged to bring our own wine (white Burgundy), it is a spectacularly beautiful spot on the coast of Maine.

https://fiveislandslobster.com

Dinner:

5-8pm

Steaks grilled at my house, corn on the cob and other fixings, we pull out the big boy northern Medocs from my cellar, more champagne, Sauternes, etc.

On both nights of course, we have available that delicious Maine chocolate dessert treat known as La Pie de la Whoopie....

+++++++++

Nearby hotels that BWEers have stayed at:

Hampton Inn, Lewiston (about 2.5 miles from my house).
Marriott Residence Inn, Auburn (about 5 miles from my house).
Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn (about 3 miles from my house).

Airports to fly into would be Portland, Maine (45 minutes from Lewiston), or Boston Logan Airport (2.5 hours from Lewiston).

The general rule is that everything in my 1,200+ bottle cellar is available (except my '95 Petrus!). I promise we'll pull out the crazy stuff!

My CellarTracker inventory is under "JimHow" at: https://www.cellartracker.com

Of course, those coming from afar are encouraged to spend some extra time in Maine exploring places like Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park, Boothbay Harbor, Portland, Old Orchard Beach, Popham Beach, Wells Beach, Baxter State Park, Eastport/Campobello Island (bring your passport) etc., etc., Maine is the most beautiful place on earth.

Everyone is welcome, including significant others obviously, the more the merrier, obviously the more notice I have the easier it will be to plan. And keep in mind, it gets tough to make reservations for travel and accommodations the later we get into the summer.

I will have drivers available to provide transportation to and from hotels.

Nearby hotels that BWEers have stayed at:

Hampton Inn, Lewiston (about 2.5 miles from my house).
Marriott Residence Inn, Auburn (about 5 miles from my house).
Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn (about 3 miles from my house).

Airports to fly into would be Portland, Maine (45 minutes from Lewiston), or Boston Logan Airport (2.5 hours from Lewiston).

I have a beautiful back deck here in a wooded, private part of town. What better way to celebrate BWE's 25th anniversary!!!

BD

Gerry M. · Post by **Gerry M.** » Fri Feb 28, 2025 9:28 pm

I'd love to make it. I'll watch for dates.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Feb 28, 2025 10:16 pm

Excellent, Gerry, I'm getting a nice response from folks. Hope to have more information soon.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Feb 28, 2025 11:01 pm

Everyone is welcome!
As I told Stuart last week, my whole cellar is open except for the '95 Petrus that I intend to drink on my 75th birthday!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Mar 02, 2025 3:11 pm

I'm getting a nice off-line response to this, right now we are conceptualizing late July, I hope to tie things down soon.
I highly encourage anyone to come on up this summer, it is always a great time, the soft shell lobster are at their peak between July 1 to October 1.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sun Mar 02, 2025 6:12 pm

I have a lot going on in July and August, but we might be able to make it if it is not on the first weekend in August, Aug 1-3.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Mar 02, 2025 6:16 pm

I order you guys to come, Stefan, I'm getting a lot of feedback, I think it promises to be a very nice event!

Harry C. · Post by **Harry C.** » Sun Mar 02, 2025 9:03 pm

Greg is wanting to see his family in Fort Fairfield this summer. Timing may be perfect!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Mar 02, 2025 9:06 pm

Oui oui Harry!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Mar 03, 2025 3:07 pm

I've been getting a great response, it looks like we could have upwards of 20 people attending.
I'm hoping to finalize the dates soon, but it looks like late July.
That will be during the height of summer tourist season in Maine, so it will be important to plan ahead.
I'll be back soon with more details.

Michael Malinoski · Post by **Michael Malinoski** » Mon Mar 03, 2025 7:11 pm

If Gerry is in, I would love to hitch a ride up to Maine with him and join you all. Of course, space permitting and date-dependent, but would surely enjoy re-visiting BWE Maine from those many years ago!
-Michael

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Mar 03, 2025 8:03 pm

Looking forward to it Michael!
Everyone is welcome!

smoore4 · Post by **smoore4** » Mon Mar 03, 2025 9:22 pm

Def interest on my part Jim. I have some catching up to do with you! Steve

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Mar 03, 2025 9:32 pm

Would love to have you over Steve!

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Wed Mar 05, 2025 7:03 am

Assuming all our parts are in working order, we’re interested!

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 05, 2025 12:02 pm

I order your attendance DavidG!

ericp · Post by **ericp** » Wed Mar 05, 2025 4:39 pm

Jim - I think you just said, Lobster, Lobster, Steak! Jeez, I might have to come off the bench after a few, long years lol.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 05, 2025 6:46 pm

It is time for you to come out of retirement and join us this summer, Eric, for some lobster, lobster, steak, champagne, white Burgundy, red Burgundy, red Bordeaux, Sauternes….

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:00 pm

So I've gotten a tremendous response, both on-line and offline.
This originally started with a plan to host Jean-Frederic and Josie around the time he is running in a race here in Maine.
He is running the weekend of July 25th and says the best dates to come to my house would be that following Wednesday and Thursday, July 30-31. Those dates don't work for others.
For me it does not matter whether it is over the weekend or on a weekday, the courts will clear my trial schedule if I request protection early enough.
I'm wondering if the best dates would be that Friday July 25th and Saturday July 26th. (In which case I would host JF later in the week.)
Or, sometime during the weekdays following Jean-Fred's race, July 27th to July 31st.
The first weekend of August seems to be out for a number of BWEers.
Keep in mind that this is the height of summer tourist season in Maine and traffic, travel and accommodations can get crazy that time of year.

As I mentioned previously, the usual routine that seems to have worked well is:

Day One:

Dinner:

4-8pm

Steamed lobster at my house with fixings, with champagne, white and red Burgundy, Sauternes, and red Bordeaux is not ruled out.

Day Two:

Lunch:

We leave Lewiston at 10:30am for 50 minute drive to Five Islands Lobster Company for early lunch (to beat the crowd at 11:30am) lobster rolls, we are encouraged to bring our own wine (white Burgundy), it is a spectacularly beautiful spot on the coast of Maine.

https://fiveislandslobster.com

Dinner:

5-8pm

Steaks grilled at my house, corn on the cob and other fixings, we pull out the big boy northern Medocs from my cellar, more champagne, Sauternes, etc.

On both nights of course, we have available that delicious Maine chocolate dessert treat known as La Pie de la Whoopie....

The general rule is that everything in my 1,200+ bottle cellar is available (except my '95 Petrus!). I promise we'll pull out the crazy stuff!

My CellarTracker inventory is under "JimHow" at: https://www.cellartracker.com

Of course, those coming from afar are encouraged to spend some extra time in Maine exploring places like Bar Harbor/Acadia National Park, Boothbay Harbor, Portland, Old Orchard Beach, Popham Beach, Wells Beach, Baxter State Park, Eastport/Campobello Island (bring your passport) etc., etc., Maine is the most beautiful place on earth.

So.... I'm completely flexible, let me know here or offline whether any of those dates between July 25th and July 31st work best for you!

Everyone is welcome, including significant others obviously, the more the merrier, obviously the more notice I have the easier it will be to plan. And keep in mind, it gets tough to make reservations for travel and accommodations the later we get into the summer.

I will have drivers available to provide transportation to and from hotels.

Nearby hotels that BWEers have stayed at:

Hampton Inn, Lewiston (about 2.5 miles from my house).
Marriott Residence Inn, Auburn (about 5 miles from my house).
Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn (about 3 miles from my house).

Airports to fly into would be Portland, Maine (45 minutes from Lewiston), or Boston Logan Airport (2.5 hours from Lewiston).

I have a beautiful back deck here in a wooded, private part of town. What better way to celebrate BWE's 25th anniversary!!!

BD

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:03 pm

I think late July would work for me - always nice to visit Maine in the summer and Maine lobster is always wonderful.

Chris Bublitz

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Wed Mar 05, 2025 9:05 pm

Amen my brother WC, looking forward to seeing you there again, I think this would be your fourth trip to Chateau How.

JCNorthway · Post by **JCNorthway** » Thu Mar 06, 2025 4:51 pm

We are pretty flexible with dates assuming we can fit in our other planned stops around whatever you set.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Thu Mar 06, 2025 5:48 pm

Excellent Jon!

I say we do the “main” event on Friday July 25th and Saturday July 26th.

Then I’ll have Jean Fred over on July 30 and 31st.

I can’t emphasize enough: Traffic and accommodations in Maine at that time of year are insanity plus. You’re not going to be able to just fly in on late Friday afternoon and make it to my house, you have to plan ahead, especially on a weekend.

DavidG · Post by **DavidG** » Fri Mar 07, 2025 8:16 pm

We’ve got a flight into Portland on Saturday the 26th for the dinner at Jim’s that evening, and a reservation at the Hampton Inn in Lewiston for that night after the festivities. Sunday we’re heading off to Portland for a few days.

We’ll skip the Friday lobstah-fest on the 25th since Peggy can’t even touch the stuff without a massive allergic reaction.

Jim, in the first post in the thread you wrote Friday July 26 and Saturday July 27. I assume you meant Friday July 25 and Saturday July 26?

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Mar 07, 2025 8:37 pm

Excellent! Yes I’ll fix that Dave.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Fri Mar 07, 2025 10:02 pm

By the way, we're more than happy to cook up something alternative for Peggy!

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sat Mar 08, 2025 12:02 am

We'll do our best to come. I have to be able to juggle dates of medical procedures to make it work.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Mar 08, 2025 12:33 am

That would be awesome if you guys can make it, Stefan!
Hope your health is holding up.

stefan · Post by **stefan** » Sat Mar 08, 2025 1:15 am

Basically good, Jim, but old bodies are like old cars: frequent tune ups and repairs are needed.

Gerry M. · Post by **Gerry M.** » Sat Mar 08, 2025 1:32 am

Jim, this sounds like a great weekend you have planned! I'll reach out to Michael to see if we can make it work.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sat Mar 08, 2025 2:34 am

I order you and Michael and the Boston crew to be there, Gerry, it is a 36 hour Maine experience from heaven! I'm counting on you to round up the Boston crew. There is an even chance the mighty Stefan and Lucie will be there!! These are BWE gods!

Nicklasss · Post by **Nicklasss** » Sun Mar 09, 2025 10:29 pm

You don’t make it easy for me Jim… now i have to choose between being there on the weekend, or when Josée/JeanFred will be there later in the week…

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Sun Mar 09, 2025 10:48 pm

Ha both dates are available to everyone Nicola, even if they book at the last minute.
I do recommend that folks not wait until the last minute, though, as that is literally about the busiest week of the year tourism-wise.

Winona Chief · Post by **Winona Chief** » Mon Mar 10, 2025 9:59 pm

We (Marjorie will be joining in the celebration) have reservations at the nearby Hampton Inn for July 25 and 26.

Chris Bublitz

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Mar 10, 2025 11:00 pm

Yes!!!!!!!

Gerry M. · Post by **Gerry M.** » Mon Mar 10, 2025 11:32 pm

Jim,

Michael and I are in!

I'm going to book a room probably at the Hampton Inn for the 25th and 26th also.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Mar 10, 2025 11:36 pm

Awesome Gerry, this is going to be a historic event, looking forward to it!!
I highly encourage everyone to book one of those Lewiston Auburn hotels, I think they have pretty liberal cancellation policies!
My big fear is that July everything is literally like booked up.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Mon Mar 10, 2025 11:47 pm

At some point, probably about a week before, I'll ask for a "final count" to make sure I order enough lobster in time for the Friday night event, during the busiest time of Maine summer lobster season. Steaks on Saturday is not an issue. As for the trip out to Five Island on Saturday, I'm not worried about it, as long as we get out there early enough!

My single biggest concern is travel, accommodations, traffic, etc. Please... If you think you are going book a last minute trip to Maine in late July.... It's not going to happen. If you think you MAY want to come, I highly recommend that you at least book refundable hotel reservations. Travel in Maine in late July is as crazy as it gets.

JCNorthway · Post by **JCNorthway** » Tue Mar 11, 2025 12:00 am

We are working on a plan, hoping to book some hotels later tonight. Airfare is already in-hand. Hoping it all works out because this sounds like a colossal experience.

JimHow · Post by **JimHow** » Tue Mar 11, 2025 12:03 am

it would be really great to have you and Paula at this historic event Jon. My biggest concern is accommodations, making sure things get booked before the tourist rush hits.