2026 ASC Workshop

 

It is January in Annisquam. 

The Annisquam Sewing Circle will meet to review the results of the 2025 Christmas Fair and hear from a speaker representing a Cape Ann nonprofit being considered for a donation.

It’s never too early to start preparing for upcoming events. 

On the ASC calendar: a series of Workshops. The January Workshop will create gift tags to be sold at the Spring Plant Sale, the Annisquam Exchange, the Annisquam Farmers' Market and the 2026 Christmas Fair.

Want to stay in the ASC loop? 

Email AnnisquamSewingCircle@gmail.com and include your name to become a Friend of the ASC and receive periodic notices of upcoming events.

 

 

Count down to the Christmas Fair

 Plans Made

&

Activated!

  

• Bows have been tied
• The wreaths have arrived
• Greens have been cut and brought to the Village Hall
• Tables are ready for the work of Greens Week to begin! 

Members will be working on the wreaths from now to Friday upstairs in the Village Hall. Downstairs in the Leonard Club boxwood trees and arrangements will be created as well as many centerpieces.

 

 

All will be ready for the opening of

The Annisquam Christmas Fair!

Saturday, December 6 with the doors opening at 8 am
Annisquam Village Hall, Gloucester MA 01930

Questions: AnnisquamSewingCircle@gmail.com 

www.TheAnnisquamSewingCircle.com 

Wheelchair and walker access through the Walnut Street door. 

Enjoying the Colors of Autumn...

 

Autumn's colors usher in colder weather

Each season presents a change in wardrobe. Plants change from many shades of green to deep reds and bright golds. We know it is time to prepare the garden for its time of rest and to bring out our warm sweaters and boots.

As our interests turn to indoor activites, cookbooks are scoured for new dishes to prepare, cookies to bake.  Crafting ideas are implimented. Fabric, paper, markers, scissors and glue are ready for project creation. Here in Annisquam there is a flurry of activity preparing for the annual Annisquam Christmas Fair that takes place shortly after Thanksgiving. There has been a search to find items that can be created by the members of the Annisquam Sewing Circle. Each year there is a flood of new ideas. This year is no exception.

Check out of few of the items at the Annisquam Sewing Circle website, on Facebook and Instagram. If you are near by stop in Saturday, December 6, 8:00 - 12:30, in the beautifully restored, Annisquam Village Hall, 34 Leonard Street, Gloucester MA 01930. 

Have questions?
Send an email to the Annisquam Sewing Circle. Send email  AnnisquamSewingCircle@gmail.com

 

 

Annisquam Christmas Fair...

The Christmas Fair in Annisquam

Plans are underway for another wonderful Fair. 

• One-of-a-kind handcrafted items
• Delicious food to share, gift or enjoy yourself
• Surprise Grabs for the whole family
• Beautifully decorated wreaths & centerpieces
• Holiday plants & bulbs 
  
  
  Mark your calendar - arrive early for the best selection. 
    
  Saturday, the morning of December 6, 2025
  Annisquam Village Hall 
  34 Leonard Street, Gloucester MA  01930

 Handicap accessible from Walnut Street

 

ASC Spring Plant Sale...

The Annisquam Sewing Circle Spring Plant Sale

Saturday morning, May 17, 2025

In the grounds between the Village Hall & the Exchange

Leonard St., Gloucester MA 01930

Annuals & Perennials

Photo: Lenten Rose hellabore

What to do with the Lemons from the Tea?

After the Afternoon Tea 2025

The Annisquam Sewing Circle hosts a lovely tea after each monthly meeting provided by four of its members. It may not look exactly like the teas of old but the spirit of friendship, cooperation and the silver tea service pay homage to our predecessors. 

As one of the hostesses in January I found that there was a considerable amount of sliced lemons going home with me. The question was, "What should I do with the lemons?" So this morning it was decided that they would go into a Lemon Meringue Pie.

 Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe

I do not remember ever baking a Lemon Meringue Pie but  know it was a popular dessert in the 40's and 50's. I will include a few hints as we go along. 

 

• Prep time 30 min.
• Bake time crust 10 min in microwave
• Bake time 15 - 20 min completed pie
• 325 degrees
  

Graham Cracker Crust

• Altho' this pie is usually made with a pastry crust, I thought I would try it with the graham cracker one.

• 9" pie plate
• 1-½ C Graham crackers, crushed 
• Easy to crush in a large zip-lock bag with a rolling pin or wine bottle
• 5 T Butter, melted 
• Can be melted in the pie plate
• ¼ C Granulate sugar
• Press crumbs into plate
• Use the bottom of a glass or measuring cup
• Bake in the microwave until firm 
• 10 min in microwave on Bake or 
•  1 to 2 minutes on high with tray rotating. Watch carefully so it does not burn.
• Or - Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes
  

Lemon Filling

• 2 Lemons juiced and zested
• Prepare ahead
  
• 1 C Granulated sugar
• 2 T All-purpose flour
• 3 T Cornstarch
• 1-½ C water
• 2 T Butter
• 4 Egg yokes, beaten in small bowl
• My eggs seemed a bit small so I used 5 eggs
• Prepare ahead
  
• 4 Egg whites
• Set aside in a medium to large-sized bowl
• 6 T Granulated sugar

Instructions

Combine the flour, cornstarch and the 1 cup of sugar in a medium-sized sauce pan. Add lemon juice,  zest and water. Stir. Cook on medium heat, stirring often until it boils. Add ½ cup of the hot mixture slowly into the egg yolks, stirring constantly. Add the yolk mixture to the hot mixture, stirring constantly, until it returns to a boil. Remove from the heat.

Whip the egg whites until foamy. Add the 6 tablespoons of sugar while beating. Continue to beat until stiff peaks are formed.

Pour the lemon mixture into the crust in the pie plate. Top with the egg whites pulling the meringue to the edge of the crust to seal.

Bake in 325 degree oven until whites are golden brown. Watch carefully so not to brown too much.

Maybe a good option for the Circle Bake Sale around the 4th of July!

 

 

 

 

From the garden: Herbs for Cleansing

Clearing your environment by burning herbs

Smoke cleansing is an ancient practice found in many cultures and faiths. Early written records of smoke cleansing come from the ancient Hindu texts written in Sanskrit. In the ancient world herbs were burned to create sweet-smelling smoke in their temples, homes and in the presence of illness.

In New England local plant materials can be combined into a Smoke Cleansing Bundle.

Sage: Cleansing - Lavender: Calm - Rosemary: Clarity, memory, Cedar: Stress relief
From Annisquam Creations

More information: blog.mountainroseherbs.com/smoke-cleansing

Available at the

Annisquam Sewing Circle Christmas Fair

Saturday, December 7, 8:00 to noon

Annisquam Village Hall

34 Leonard St., Gloucester 01930

 

During the summer...

 

The Annisquam Sewing Circle will hold its next meeting in September.

That does not mean the members are idle! The Needles group meets year round. It was formed a number of years ago for members who wanted to learn how to needlepoint or perfect their skills. The desings are created by our member, Connie Mason assisted by Jill Lovejoy. Each ornatment has depicted an Annisquam landmark, for example, the Annisquam Lighthouse. It will be presenting a new ornament at the Annual ASC Christmas Fair again this year. The design is known to the Needles group and unveiled at the Fair.

Other members are knitting, sewing and preparing jams and jellies. They are also part of the Annual Sea Fair held the last Saturday in July, manning the various activities.

2024 Annisquam Sea Fair -

“The Largest Little Fair Known”

Saturday, July 27, 10 - 3

Leonard School Yard, 32-34 Leonard St., Gloucester MA 01930
Parking is limited, carpool when possible.

• Boat Race on the Bridge at Noon
• Ice Cream Social and Winner Annoucement: 12-1:30 pm
• Wax Works: 11 am, noon, 1 pm, 2 pm, 5 pm @ Village Hall
• Games and Crafts for Children of All Ages on The Green
• Food | Drinks | Baked Goods | Books | Artwork
• T-Shirts | Mugs | Tattos | Plants | Silent Auction

All proceeds go the Annisquam Village Hall and the Annisquam Village Church

The Annisquam Sewing Circle Christmas Fair is the first Saturday in December.

ASC at the Annisquam Farmers' Market again!

The change in weather is delightful!

Delight is what you will find this Friday. We have been invited to the Annisquam Farmers’ Market, Friday, June 28th, from 9:00 to noon, in the School Yard beside the Annisquam Village Hall, 34 Leonard Street. Gloucester, MA. 

The members of the Annisquam Sewing Circle will be selling their delicious,  homemade pies, cakes, cookies, brownies and more - ready to take home or give to your party hostess.

Pick up an adorable flower arrangement for a finishing touch.

 

A Huge Thank You to the Annisquam Farmers' Market for inviting us again this year.  

All the proceeds from this fund-raiser are donated to the Cape Ann Community.

Annual ASC Spring Plant Sale

Rain or Shine!

Saturday, May 18, 8:00 am to noon

in the School Yard between the Village Hall and the Annisquam Exchange

Two of our dedicated members scour the area's nurseries for the best plants for your garden, window boxes and planters. 

The Sale is held in the School Yard between the Village Hall and the Annisquam Exchange from 8:00 am to noon. Members of the ASC will be on hand to answer your gardening questions, make suggestions for your particular application and help get your purchases to your vehicle.

The Annual Plant Sale is brought to you by the Annisquam Sewing Circle.

For information about the Annisquam Sewing Circle: But do they sew?

And: www.AnnisquamSewingCircle.org

Email: AnnisquamSewingCircle@gmail.com