upcoming event
Get to know our local bats at the November dinner meeting
The Garden Club of Kent Monthly Dinner Meeting
DATE/TIME: Monday, Nov. 17, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
COST: $16 per person (cash or check only at the door)
LOCATION: Roy Smith Shelter House, 601 Middlebury Rd, Kent OH
RSVP: By Thursday, Nov. 13: BackyardPest@gmail.com
WE'RE TESTING A NEW RSVP OPTION! Register for the dinner online at
https://form.jotform.com/252474617300048
On the Dinner Menu: Baked Italian chicken, vegetarian rigatoni, green beans almoden, parsley potatoes, tossed salad, rolls and butter, cake and cold beverages.
Presentation: "Creatures of the Night Sky: How Our Gardens Benefit Bats and Bat Benefit Us" with Todd and Ann Cartner
While some people get the willies from bats — it's important to note that no bats will be attending this meeting — these furry flyers are quite interesting and good citizens. Here are some fun bat facts from the U.S. Dept. of the Interior:
- There are more than 1,400 bat species worldwide.
- We wouldn't have bananas, avocados or mangoes without bats.
- Bats are the only true flying mammal.
- Bats are fast. Some species can reach over 100 miles per hour.
- And they have bellybuttons!
Learn more when Todd and Ann Cartner present "Creatures of the Night Sky: How Our Gardens Benefit Bats and Bat Benefit Us." What you can’t see can’t hurt you … right? .. and might actually be helping you in ways you could never imagine. Learn about Ohio’s bats, the severe challenges they face and the many services that bats provide as both pollinators and insect predators.
Todd and Ann, residents of Suffield, Ohio, founded Discover Bats Ohio in 2024 as a bat advocacy, education and research organization. As two proud (OCVN) Citizen Scientists, their work has taken them all over Ohio, Michigan and Western Pennsylvania to teach thousands of adults and children about these misunderstood and under-appreciated creatures. They also conduct research for Portage Parks District, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and other organizations. As they like to say, and say often, “Bats … who knew?”
upcoming event
Build a Rustic Birdhouse Workshop
Presented by Eric Miller, professional carpenter and designer
NEW DATE & TIME WITH TWO TIME SLOTS
DATE/TIME: Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
COST: $10 per person (cash or check only at the door)
LOCATION: The Garden Club of Kent, 480 Ravenna Rd., Streetsboro OH
RSVP: By Friday, Oct. 31: BackyardPest@gmail.com
Please indicate if you want to attend the 11:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. session
Join us for a hands-on rustic birdhouse building workshop! In this two-hour session, participants will assemble their own birdhouse using pre-cut pieces of reclaimed, untreated wood from pallets and other sustainable sources. Several rustic styles will be available, designed to attract beneficial garden-friendly birds.
Assembly tools and hardware will be provided, and basic tools will also be on hand for small modifications. We’ll also cover creative mounting options and finishing techniques — like torch-burning for a weathered look. Paints and decorative accessories will be available for customization, but feel free to bring your own supplies to make it truly unique.
These birdhouses make wonderful additions to your garden and thoughtful handmade gifts, just in time for the holidays. Whether you’re new to woodworking or looking for a creative fall project, this workshop is a fun way to support local bird populations and add character to your outdoor space.
upcoming event
HOLIDAY WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOP
Presented by Linda Boardman, owner of Acorn & Evergreen Floral Studio
DATE: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025
TIME: 4:00 p.m. (1:00 p.m. class is sold out)
COST: $55 per person (cash or check only at the door)
LOCATION: The Garden Club of Kent, 480 Ravenna Rd., Streetsboro OH
RSVP: By Nov. 2 to BackyardPest@gmail.com
All materials provided. You’ll take home a beautiful, fresh, fragrant and unique 20- to 24-inch wreath!
All wreath-making tools, step-by-step instruction and materials included in fee. You’ll work with live greenery such as Noble Fir, Carolina Sapphire Juniper, Cedar, Eucalyptus and Princess Pine. You can bring additional decorative items to incorporate, such as ribbon, pine cones, ornaments and lights. You’ll also want to bring a pair of gardening gloves. Our instructor is Linda Boardman, owner of Acorn & Evergreen Floral Studio in Kent.