老司机传媒

As the weather cools and the leaves begin to change, fall is the perfect time to enjoy seasonal activities. Whether you enjoy the cozy indoors or prefer fun outdoor activities, there's something for everyone during this time of year. Here are some ideas to help you make the most of the fall season around the 老司机传媒 campus. 

1. Visit

Glendora Bookshop is one of the best things about downtown Buchanan, in my opinion. About a 15-minute drive from Andrews, Glendora is a welcoming, charming and thoroughly well-decorated space with just about everything a book lover could want. Carla, the owner, is very knowledgeable about the collection and full of great recommendations for books in most genres (for the record, she is also open to hosting book clubs). On some rainy days, you may even see her two dogs sleeping peacefully in the window. 

Glendora hosts a number of regular events—there are author events, open mics on the first Friday of every month, and a teacher appreciation day every second Thursday. (Check out the tab of their website for more information.) Plus, the bookshop is very conveniently near Union Coffee House and some very nice antique stores (if you have some money to spend, that is)—Alan Robandt’s collection is a personal favorite of mine. 

Find Glendora at 110 E. Front St., Buchanan, MI 49107; it is open Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. 

2. Go apple or grape picking at

What is fall without the classics? Now is the perfect time to participate in Stover’s Farm’s “U-Pic.” Grapes and apples are both available to pick right now, and the farm sells a number of jams, jellies, pickles, hot sauces, and fresh vegetables. Check out their for the varieties of apples that are growing this year. 

Find Stover’s Farm at 7837 M-139, Berrien Springs, MI 49103 (about a 6-minute drive); it is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Stover’s Farm’s U-Pic is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

3. Go pottery painting at in Niles 

Bee Crafty is a pottery painting studio conveniently located in Niles. You pick a piece you like from their selection, paint it, and pick it up after it has been fired. I can attest that prices are pretty college-friendly (think around $10 for a decorative ornament and $15-$30 for a bowl or plate, depending on how big you want it) and it is a ton of fun. Once fired, your pieces are dishwasher- and liquid-safe. My friends and I reserved the place a while back ($30 to book the whole studio for eight to 40 people), and I have ever since been the proud owner of a fish bowl and a Howl’s Moving Castle plate, which I eat off of at least twice a week. They also take walk-ins if you don’t have a 40-person party. 

Find Bee Crafty at 101 E. Main St., Niles, MI 49120 (about a 20-minute drive); it is open for walk-ins Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday and Friday from noon to 8 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. See for reservation details. 

4. If you’re the cooking type, check out . 

Right now, Villwock’s has a great selection of fall produce and beautiful flowers. It is the closest farmers market to campus, and they always have good-quality produce. Personally, I just like to walk around a farmers market, even if I have nothing to buy. 

Find Villwocks at 3441 N. U.S. Highway 31, Berrien Springs, MI 49103 (about an 11-minute drive); open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

5. Check out

It turns out that southwest Michigan has a lot of farms. Fortunately, many of these farms are available to visit! Sadly, lavender is a summer crop and the Lavender U-Pic is not open until June (but I do encourage Berrien Springs natives to go on behalf of those of us who can’t). However, they still have a nice store and lovely lavender-scented soaps, candles, oils, heating packs and even edible lavender buds for purchase. For those who are interested, their for spring classes is available now. 

Find Lavender Fields at 2175 E. Hinchman Road, Berrien Springs, MI 49103 (about a 7-minute drive); open from Sunday to Wednesday from 1–4 p.m. 

6. Take a scenic walk through

Who doesn’t love a botanical garden? Take a scenic stroll through Fernwood’s 105 acres (no need to do all of it in one day) and check out some of the that they host. As the weather gets cooler, the beautifully manicured arboretum, herb garden, and trails are perfect for the outdoor lover and the bug-fearer alike. 

Find Fernwood at 13988 Range Line Road, Niles, MI 49120 (about a 17-minute drive); open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

7. Enjoy an afternoon at !

I’m constantly surprised about how few people know about Apothica Teas in Niles. It is a Victorian steampunk-themed tea shop with a huge variety of fresh pastries (I highly recommend the British scones) and teas to enjoy in whatever form you like (iced? Hot? Milked? They have it all). Apothica is a great place to set up and do some studying for the afternoon; if you get tired of studying, they also have a nice set of board games to explore with friends. 

Find Apothica at 222 E. Main St., Niles, MI 49120 (about a 16-minute drive); open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

8. Catch a live show at South Bend’s . 

Be warned: These tickets are a little pricier for the college student's wallet. Prices will vary depending on the kind of show, but as a general rule, expect the cheapest tickets to be in the $30-$60 range (or, as I like to think of it, 2-3.7 Student Movement articles), and tickets can go up to $80-$100, albeit usually only for the good seats. 

Find the Morris at 211 N. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601 (about a 30-minute drive).

As we turn towards cooler weather, there’s no better time to explore some of the things to do near campus. Embrace the spirit of fall by trying something new or revisiting an old favorite — grab your favorite sweater, gather some friends, and make the most of the season!