November Monthly Dinner Meeting & Presentation
DATE & TIME: Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: United Methodist Church (Pierson Hall), 1435 E. Main St., Kent OH
COST: $16 per person - cash, check or credit card at the door
PRESENTATION: Sophia Gillespie, “Inside the Forest, Behind the Lens: A Screening and Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Making of By Nature’s Design”
REGISTER AT: BackyardPest@gmail.com
ON THE DINNER MENU Cranberry chicken over rice, vegetable medley, dinner salad and rolls, dessert and beverages. Vegetarian choice: Entree-sized salad with greens, variety of salad vegetables and chickpeas.
ABOUT THE PRESENTATION
Sophia Gillespie, associate producer of content at PBS Western Reserve and a Garden Club of Kent member and seasonal gardener, will be our speaker at the club’s monthly dinner meeting on Monday, Nov. 16 at 6:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Kent.
In Sophia’s presentation, “Inside the Forest, Behind the Lens: A Screening and Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Making of BY NATURE'S DESIGN,” she will talk briefly about her PBS docuseries and what goes on behind the scenes of making a show. Attendees will then enjoy an episode from the second season of the series, “Flora and Fauna,” which investigates species inhabiting the forest, from wildflowers and old-growth trees to insects and deer. The program uncovers the importance of native species and their resilience against invasive species. Plus, experts offer tips and resources to help identify species.
PBS Western Reserve’s original nature series, BY NATURE'S DESIGN, returned for a second season in September. The three-part series highlights the native wildlife of the Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania region. In this season, the program takes viewers beyond the screen and into the forests of Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania through scenic landscapes and approachable science that examines the plants, animals and hidden networks that make these ecosystems thrive. Sophia sits down with local experts to understand the science, get the facts and appreciate the natural wonders worth protecting in the place we call home. In addition to “Flora and Fauna,” the other titles in this season’s production are “Floor to Foliage” and “Fundamental Fungi.”
“Walking into a forest always seems to take my breath away, so being able to talk to experts about everything that happens inside a forest was a great experience,” said Sophia. “I think we can take for granted just how magnificent and sophisticated our environment is. My hope for this season is that people gain a better understanding of not just what we see above the ground, but also what’s happening below the ground.”
Originally from Pittsburgh, Sophia earned B.S. in digital media production at Kent State University. Her series, BY NATURE'S DESIGN, has won two Public Media Awards – one in 2025 for Youth Media in Education which awards creators who are under 25 years of age, and one in 2026 for Visual Design. BY NATURE'S DESIGN was also nominated for a Regional EMMY Award in the Documentary – Topical category in 2026. Outside of work, you can find Sophia baking, reading a new book or checking on her vegetable garden.
Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop
DATE & TIME: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026 - 1:00 pm
LOCATION: The Garden Club of Kent, 480 Ravenna Rd., Streetsboro OH
COST: $55 per person - all materials provided by workshop presenter
REGISTER AT: https://tinyurl.com/GCoK-WreathMkg
The Garden Club of Kent welcomes back Linda Boardman, owner of Acorn & Evergreen Floral Studio in Kent, for a fun-filled holiday wreath-making workshop. Each participant will leave with a beautiful, fragrant and unique 20- to 24-inch wreath — handcrafted by you!
INCLUDED IN THE $55 WORKSHOP FEE
• Live greenery including Noble Fir, Carolina Sapphire Juniper, Cedar, Eucalyptus and Princess Pine
• Ribbon to make bows
• All wreath-making tools and step-by-step instruction