Fall 2025 Meeting Registration

CONFERENCE HOTEL: Best Western, 451 WMC Drive, Westminster, MD 21158

A block of 15 rooms (1 King or 2 Queen beds) has been reserved for check-in October 9 - 10. The room rate per room reserved will be $139.00 on 10/09 and $159 on 10/10. To make reservations call 410 857 1900 and mention "SPOOM Meeting", or follow this link online and confirm the dates needed for your stay. Room block will be held until August 24^th. After that date, rate applies but availability is not guaranteed. Advanced reservations are encouraged as there are multiple wedding events scheduled at the available hotels that weekend.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9

5:30pm - 8:00pm: Banquet Dinner and Guest Speaker at Union Mills Homestead (3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD 21158). Member social with appetizers start at 5:30. Buffet style entrees and dessert. Dinner speaker will be Kevin M. Atticks, Maryland Secretary of Agriculture.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10

9:00am - 10:00am: Mill Tours - Bus service will pick up attendees at the hotel for a scenic drive with a short stop to view the exterior of Roops Mill and Arters Mill nearby as well. The drive itself will be informative showcasing the rich mill history of the Big Pipe Creek watershed.

10:00am - 11:30am: Shriver Grist Mill at the Union Mills Homestead - (3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminister) Our bus will then stop for a tour of our conference host, the Union Mills Homestead. In addition to the functioning grist mill, the Homestead’s museum of American rural culture features original artifacts - everything is much the same as when the original Shriver family lived there.

11:30am - 12:30pm: Lunch at Union Mills - box lunches, lunch outside (weather permitting). Bus will board at 12:30 for the afternoon session.

1:00pm - 2:00pm: Tour of Wellers Mill (3710 Watson Lane, Union Bridge, MD) Stop for a tour of this mill built along Roop Branch of Little Pipe Creek between Linwood and New Windsor. The original mill built by John Winter included a saw mill. William Engleman subsequently purchased the property and built the current mill in 1853. Joseph H. Weller purchased the property in 1925. Multiple phases of operation are visible at the mill including 20th century electrical powered machinery.

2:30pm - 3:30pm: Bear Branch Malt - Tour of Malting House (816 Bear Branch Rd, Westminster) Brad Humpert will guide us around the facility. Brad is a farmer who has a technical background in malting and was a brewer for several years. The facility demonstrates a lively current regional grain economy in Maryland.

4:00pm - 5:00pm: Pub Dog Brewing (1203 New Windsor Rd, Westminster) From the field, to the mill, to the table, every step plays a role in shaping the final beer. Take a brewery tour to see it all come together into a refreshing brew. Our motorcoach will drop us back at the Best Western.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11

9:00am - 10:00am: Breakfast and Roundtable Discussion - Union Mills (Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD) Join a special breakfast for SPOOM members attending Union Mills Grain Festival. Roundtable discussion.

10:00am - 1:00pm: Union Mills Grain Festival - Festival and Open House provides the opportunity to visit with bakers, millers and other local businesses contributing to our active local grain economy.