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October 29 – November 1, 2026

Program Details*

Title

Lactofermentation: Why You Shouldn't Be Afraid!

Description

Jim plans to discuss growing your own vegetables, then fermenting them. He'll discuss the different fermentation methods as well as the reasons people ferment foods. He will also provide some hot sauce tastings. Caution!

Presenter’s Name

Jim Thommes

Presenter’s Bio

Jim Thommes started fermenting vegetables in 2018 because he enjoyed the flavor it brought to the food. He started experimenting with hot sauces and salsas, then started making them hotter and hotter. Next thing he knows, Ihe's an admin on two Facebook  fermentation pages that have a combined membership of almost 250K members.

*Note: The information above is a draft provided by the presenter and may be different in the HalloweeM Program Booklet (when it becomes available).

Date/Time/Location†

Sunday at 9 AM in Willow

Add Lactofermentation: Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid!

†Note: The date, time & location listed in our PAAG supersedes the date, time & location listed here, if different. The hotel layout for HalloweeM can be found here.

Deadlines

  • Registration - Join the fun at WeeM. Register at the door if you haven’t preregistered. The deadline for online registration was October 16th.
  • Vendor space - Please complete and submit a Vendor Application by Thursday, October 22nd. If you have any questions after reviewing the Vendor Flyer containing all the details, contact the WeeM Vendor Liaison .
  • Lodging - The deadline set by the hotel for the WeeM rate was October 9th.
  • Volunteer Now! Get involved and become a star. We have a great WeeM every year due to the many of you who sign up to help out for a few hours or more. Sign up as a volunteer and qualify for raffle tickets to win one of the gift cards. Earn the coveted WeeM pin when you volunteer for least 4 hours.
  • Room Sharing - Let us help match you up with another attendee who is also interested in sharing a room by submitting your information by Wednesday, October 28th.
  • Speaker/Meet & Greet//Swaps/Exchanges/Tournament Submissions - The deadline to submit your proposal for a Program, Meet & Greet, Swap, Exchange, or Tournament for inclusion in the WeeM Program Booklet and in the website's program list was Saturday, September 19th.

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29
Oct

Add HalloweeM @Westin North Shore Hotel

HalloweeM @Westin North Shore Hotel
[p]Chicago Area Mensa’s Regional Gathering (RG) HalloweeM is being held at the Westin North Shore Hotel. This is a large (about 500 attendees), fun, family-friendly event. Drinks, snacks, and most meals are included. There are games, tournaments, dances, and a multi-track program as well as the infamous Costume Contest on Friday and both Pretentious Drinking and the Epicurean Experience on Saturday. [/p][p]We encourage you to register and book your room in advance to qualify for any discounts, but you may register on-site. [p]Please sign-up on the website to volunteer in before you come to WeeM.[/p][p]Bring books and media to donate to our book sale—all proceeds are donated to a charity.[/p][p]See our HalloweeM website ([url]https://chicago.us.mensa.org/weem/index.php[/url]) for the most up-to-date details.[/p]
2026-10-29
16:00
2026-11-01
13:00
601 N Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090

2026 Volunteer Pin
Latest PAAG
(including floor plan)

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