Annisquam Sewing Circle Minutes

Tuesday, May

Tuesday, April

Tuesday, March

Tuesday, February

Tuesday, January

December – no monthly meeting

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Meeting called to order

Vicki called the October meeting to order and asked if a Motion could be made to accept
the September Minutes as sent; Minutes accepted. Before moving to the agenda, Vicki
noted that in the future, only committee chairs who have something to report will be listed
on the agenda to help keep meetings short!

Treasurer’s Report

(Maria Marolda) Maria reported a balance of $11,794 available. Report
accepted.

Membership

(Perry McIntosh) Perry welcomed three new members into the Circle, each of
whom was introduced by their sponsors:
Margaret Allard by Jerry Herbert
Mary-Jo Foley by Rosalie Hughes
Wendy Friend who was not able to attend the meeting

Hospitality

(Germaine Fritz) Circulated sign-up sheets for upcoming meetings. More help
needed for May and Christmas week.

PR

(Lisa Accardi) Lisa announced that Christmas Fair posters were up to date and ready to
fly.

Old Business:

Unfinished Projects – Jill reminded the Circle that there were meetings at her house every
other Tuesday at 1:30 (the first and third Tuesdays).

Christmas Fair –

• • Workshops to come:
    Bow Making – Tuesday, Oct. 22nd – with Karen Guerin
    Birdhouses – Tuesday, Oct. 29th at 1:30 with Kate Meader and Donna Caselden
    Accordion Books – Monday, November 4th with Heidi McGrath
    Origami – to be scheduled
    Cocoa Cones with Betsey Colby
    Vicki will send out emails re: workshops and schedule
    Lyn spoke re: Boxwood Trees; still need small vases for decorative green pieces

Gigs outlined instructions re: bringing in work for the Crafts Table – bring in pieces asap and
be sure each piece is well-marked with name, materials and any special instructions.
Wendy Banks and Lee Cunningham will be managing the Gourmet Table again.

Jerry and Jackie reviewed Grabs – reminding us to mark each “grab” for child, woman or
man, wrap nicely. Grabs will be priced at $5 each this year.

Jewelry – Donna and Vicki

Kate Meader announced that she’s carrying on Hazel’s tradition of collecting scarfs for
Open Door. If you make an y to donate, Kate will be collecting them

Wrapping up the meeting, Vicki reminded everyone to each bring 2 Grabs and 1 Baked
Good. Also – encouraged EVERYONE to help as much as possible during week leading up to Fair,
as well as on day of Fair.

Before adjourning meeting, (at 2 pm), Vicki again welcomed Margaret and Mary-Jo and
thanked the day’s tea hostesses: Amy Vacchina, Karen Guerin, Pippi Giuliano, and Gigs
Cunningham.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, November 12th at 1:30.

Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie B. Neal

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Meeting called to order –
Calling the meeting to order and welcoming everyone back to the start of the new year for
the Sewing Circle, Vicki asked for a moment of silence for Doris Rust, Hazel von
Rosenvinge and Yuri Tuvim.

A motion was made to accept the June Minutes as sent; report accepted.

Treasurer’s Report

(Maria Marolda) Maria reported that the Annual Mtg. Auction yielded
$2,675.23. Noting that the 2023-2024 year ended on June 30, 2024, Maria announced that
the ASC made 18 donations to CA Charities in the amount of $20,500, provided $4,000 in
Scholarship aid to 4 graduating seniors and made Sunshine contributions in remembrance
to past members: Ellen Stone and Mary Warner, and delivered Easter flowers to a number
of members of the Annisquam community. The “carry-over” funds available for the coming
fiscal year are $12,745.73, which will serve as a basis upon which the ASC can build
resources in order to continue to perform acts of benevolence. Report accepted.
Corresponding Secretary Kate Meader reported sending TY notes to organizers of the
Farmers Market and to: Vicki, Jackie L., Pippy and Deede Sargent.

Membership

(Perry McIntosh) Perry introduced three candidates for membership who
were unanimously voted in: Margaret Perry Allard, Mary Jo Foley and Wendy Friend.
Hospitality (Germaine Fritz) – Will be sending out sign-up sheets going forward.
Finance (Gerry Herbert) Gerry announced that an email will be sent out to CA
organizations inviting them to talk to us about some of their specific projects in need of
funding; She expects to also engage several speakers over both the winter and spring.
Anyone with specific ideas regarding speakers or organizations, please let Gerry know.
Nominating – No report.

PR

(Lisa Accardi) Lisa is anxious to get info re: Christmas Fair out there ASAP.
Scholarship (Lee Cunningham) No report
Website – Suzanne reported that our website has been updated.

Old Business:

Projects – Jill reported that the Unfinished Projects group will resume meeting on the 1st
and 3rd Tuesday each month at 1:30 at her house. Bring anything!!! Deb Ebeling’s sweater
was reported to now be 45 years in the making!

Greens – There will be workshops – i.e.: Pinecones, Bows (Ribbon coming in late
September). Lyn and Jill reported they will be making fewer boxwood trees due to less
demand in recent years; there will be more focus on round wreaths; they will also be
looking for interesting vases – any size but smaller is better – and interested in mugs, but
NOT teacups!

Casseroles: Mimi said her committee not ready yet. More info later!
Crafts Table: Gigs said they are always looking for interesting crafts, items and new ideas
for crafts that would sell well.

Baked Goods: Always a big seller, as are all those items on the Grab Table – Gerry
suggested even Household items go well! Be sure to wrap and label well – makes a
difference!

Jewelry: Donna and Vicki said they definitely need more pieces so start looking!
Hospitality: There will be 2 volunteers to serve workers each day – Mon.- Thursday
Workshops: The first workshop will be on Tues., Sept. 24th – Cone wiring
Heidi McGrath showed group several very doable handcraft items – gift cards,
accordion- style books. Other ideas: Cocoa Cones, Birdhouses.
Will need many to decorate the boxwood trees.

Other topics of discussion:
Vicki said that at the Officers August Mtg. there had been discussion re: purpose of the
ASC; that perhaps it was time to reword the Circle’s stated goal – being Acts of
Benevolence, that the wording had become dated. Perhaps there is a better way to
articulate who we are – a philanthropic organization committed to serving Cape Ann.
Vicki suggested we need a wordsmith to create a more timely mission statement. Is this
something the Circle would like to commit to? It was decided that further discussion was
warranted at a later time – AFTER the Christmas Fair.

The next meeting will be in the Library on Tuesday, October 8th at 1:30.

Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie B. Neal