Come hear the tale of the odd adventures of Marble and his family at Dungeon Rock in the Lynn Woods. That's where they spent nearly 30 years blasting a tunnel into solid rock in search of pirate treasure that local lore says was buried there in the 17th century.

This stranger-than-fiction true story has an other worldly twist: Marble and his family believed their efforts were directed by messages from the spirit world, channeled to them through mediums active in an era when Spiritualism flourished on the North Shore. While he fervently hoped to find the pirate treasure, Marble also said that his excavations, which began in the 1850s, "would either prove the truth of Spiritualism or dig its grave."

Kate Victory Hannisian and Richard G. Provenzano are the speakers who will spin this tale of spirit guides, pirate legend and the geology of the Lynn Woods. Hannisian is a Danvers-based writer and editor at work on a book inspired by the Marbles' adventures and the owner of Blue Pencil Consulting. Provenzano is a Peabody resident who taught eighth-grade history in Saugus for 41 years, and has also worked as a seasonal park ranger at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for 37 years. He is the author of a booklet published by the Saugus Historical Society, "Pirates' Glen & Dungeon Rock: The Evolution of a Legend."

The Marbles' efforts attracted attention and visitors, playing a key role in Lynn realizing what a treasure it had in Lynn Woods as a whole. Today, Lynn Woods Reservation is the second-largest municipal park in the United States, twice the size of Manhattan's Central Park. The Dungeon Rock story is many things to many people, but most of all, it is about the powerful combination of place and legend to inspire the human imagination.

Meetings of the Lynn Rock and Mineral Club are open free to the public. New members are always welcome; yearly dues are $10 for singles and $15 for families. Meetings typically include a raffle of rock and mineral specimens, with proceeds supporting the club.

For more information, call Ellen Blomerth, club secretary, at 978-535-6155 or e-mail steveblomerth@verizon.net.

Beverly Rotary searching for stars on North Shore

Attention North Shore stars (to be) - start polishing up your act and plan to be part of a community singing contest to benefit Beverly Rotary Club Foundation.

Set for Friday, Jan. 26, at the Danversport Yacht Club, the event will feature some of the North Shore's most talented amateur singers performing in a talent show with the winner earning the title of "North Shore Star."

If you are interested in becoming a "star" and have talent to share, e-mail Beverly Rotary Club event chairman Michael Harrington at mjhesource@comcast.net.

Garden clubs in full blossom this fall

A round of applause to the members of the Salem Garden Club who have been busy planting daffodil bulbs all along the Essex Street Mall. Thanks to their efforts, come next spring, the area from the Peabody Essex Museum all the way to Rockafella's (site of the former Daniel Lowe's) will be a beautiful sea of yellow.

And hats off also to the Peabody Garden Club for receiving an award from the National Garden Clubs. The award recognizes Peabody Garden Club's commitment to yearly tree planting in the community. Co-Presidents Fran Lucas and Tina Smith accepted the award, which was presented by Kathy Thomas, president of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts.

Get a head start on holiday shopping

The North Suburban Jewish Community Center and Temple Ner Tamid have joined forces to host a Holiday Shopping Fair Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at Temple Ner Tamid, 368 Lowell St., Peabody.

Vendors will include Ivy's Invitations, Jabby Designs, Art From the Heart, Sparkles, Arbonne Int., Pampered Chef, Teresa's Creations, Tupperware, All Around Active Sole Sisters, A Charming Boutique, Back Street Boutique, Glass Act, Beadarific, Silver Lining, Home Interiors, Infinity Boutique, Tastefully Simple, Fun & Fancy, Baskets by Susie Q., My2Boys Design, Whimsey 'n Wicked Soapworks, Hagen Gallery, Brogan Arts, Fran Cunningham, Lisa's Trinkets and more.

Admission is $2 for adults; kids get in free.

Mothers of Multiples welcomes new moms

North Shore Mothers of Multiples, a nonprofit organization that offers support to mothers, grandmothers and female guardians of twins or more, meets the second Wednesday of every month.

The next club meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 8 at First Church in Danvers, at the corner of Hobart and Centre streets. Expectant mothers of multiples are also welcome.

Call Christine at 978-646-9406 or visit www.nsmom.org.

Administrative professionals host dinner

The North Shore Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Cantina Room of the Edgewater Cafe, 155 Washington Street, Salem.

Guest speakers will be Jean M. Cusato, CPS/CAP, who will talk about "Professional Certification: The Career Advantage," and Jeff Davies, director of sales and marketing for Team Bonding, one of the leading corporate team-building companies in the country.

Members and nonmembers are welcome. Advance reservations and a meeting fee of $15 are required. For more information, call chapter President Nancy Emmons at 978-390-2276 or chapter secretary Marcia Silverman at 978-744-1010. Visit www.iaap-northshore.org for more.

Hospice of North Shore focus of Ladies' Sodality talk

Karen Carney, director of marketing and business development at Hospice of the North Shore, will be the guest speaker when St. John's Ladies' Sodality of St. John the Baptist Parish in Peabody meets Tuesday, Nov. 14.

Mass will take place at 7 p.m. in the lower church, followed by a brief business meeting in the church hall. Pauline Brennan will also update members on the new Sodality Archives. All members are invited to come and bring a friend. Pastry donations are appreciated.

Sodality members are also hard at work putting the finishing touches on knit goods and arts and crafts items to be sold at the Sodality Table at the Nov. 11 church fair.

Computer Society offers updates for PC users

The North Shore Computer Society presents "Intel Processors Revealed" on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Higgins Middle School Auditorium, 99 Perkins St., Peabody.

With the release of Microsoft's new Windows Vista operating system just around the corner, anyone considering buying a new computer or who wants to find out more about Apple's new Intel-based product line is encouraged to come learn more.

Intel Corporation's Tom Murphy will talk about which processors should be on your shopping list and why. A field sales engineer with Intel's Computer Sales Group, Murphy will discuss Intel's current and future microprocessor products and other topics.

The nonprofit North Shore Computer Society is focused on education, support and community. Its members come from more than 60 communities. All meetings are open free to the public. Call 888-955-NSCS (955-6727) or visit www.northshore.org.

St. John's Thrift Shop seeking volunteers

The volunteers of St. John's Church Thrift Shop recently met at the home of Vice-President Pauline Brennan for a thank-you Halloween party. Refreshments were served after a brief business meeting. The group extended its thanks to Alice Gallagher, who will be the winter manager starting in January.

President Jane Harris has issued a plea for help on Mondays to do sorting, cleaning and organizing while the store is closed. She adds that the store will be open during St. John's Church Fair on Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and help will be needed that day both at the store and at Grandma's Attic. Interested volunteers may contact Harris at 978-531-8659.

A day at the races with Peabody Emblem Club

Come and enjoy horse races sponsored by the Peabody Emblem Club #2 to benefit the Massachusetts State Convention Fund. The fun is set for Sunday, Nov. 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Peabody Lodge of Elks, 40 Oak St., Peabody. There will be raffles, refreshments and fun for all.

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The Club News runs every other Friday on Life North. If your club or organization has news to share, call Cynthia Garber at 978-531-5863; e-mail: cgarber@star.net or csgarber@comcast.net or fax: 978 531-6756.