By Cole Hinzmann, Rian Johnson, Justin Satawa
Fall has arrived in Kalamazoo and Western Michigan University students are sporting fall fashions as well as finding great autumnal traditions to enjoy, like a visit to Verhage Fruit Farms and Cider Mill on West Michigan Avenue. Another fall tradition is enjoying the produce at the Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market on Bank Street. The newly-renovated market now has room for more variety of vendors, including silkscreen t-shirts and custom-engraved pipes.
Gabe Zaleski and Ken Kidulas help customers print their own custom designs, as well as showing designs that were made by Zaleski. They created this business in 2018, premiering their new designs at music festivals. For just $10, customers can bring in their own designs and have them printed onto the shirt of their choice. After having to halt business from 2020 to 2021, Zaleski says, “2020 was harsh, but I got to spend my time working on my art and was able to work on my creativity.”The shirt pictured was designed by Zaleski in 2018, and was the inspiration to create this business.
The shirt pictured was designed by Zaleski in 2018, and was the inspiration to create this business. This tree might look ordinary at a quick glance, but at a closer look the branches appear to spell out K-A-L-A-M-A-Z-O-O.
The Kalamazoo Farmers Market is a rich combination of many different small businesses as well as unique people that make up the community. From custom t-shirts to slow-dried pasta sales to cannabis products, vendors sell something to appeal to almost any customer. The Kalamazoo Farmers Market on Sept. 24, 2022, at 1204 Bank St. Local businesses sell an array of different items to the general public. The market is back at the Bank Street location after having to relocate to Mayor’s Riverfront Park. The market is now open three days a week, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
New York Fashion Week contest winner and MODA member Grace Stibich smiles while wearing thrifted vintage pieces. Stibich won the NYFW Submission contest for WMU and got to attend NYFW Fall 2022. Her original graphically designed WMU vintage tailgate line is the cause of her win and each piece was carefully researched and created based on the WMU game day attire.
Antoine Mccoy takes to the streets and shows off his professional model walk. Mccoy is signed to BMG Modeling Agency and is the modeling coach for MODA, a WMU club which stands for Merchandising Opportunities and Design Association.
WMU students are dressing in autumnal shades of earth and jewel tones, and layers upon layers. Hundreds of students are making their way to class every day; most just dress to get to class. However, some Broncos use clothes as a primary form of personal expression. “I am going to be so honest, this is an outfit I just threw together. Typically you don’t want to say that when someone asks you about your outfit, but it’s good to say that because it shows your creative expression,” says Antione Mccoy. His “first day of fall look” consisted of knee length boots, burnt orange leather pants, a houndstooth patterned coat, a black beret, and a Hermes designer belt.
Jack Williams, a first year at Western Michigan University, enjoys a doughnut. “One of the best donuts I’ve ever had just melts in your mouth and the cherry I would have never guessed that was that good.”
The wide variety of doughnuts is nothing short of impressive. Any type of flavor is here from fruity with cherry to apple pumpkin spice. The use of local ingredients to baked good that are made fresh daily makes a lethal combo of flavor and feel.
Madison Strachan, a second year student at WMU, picked out her half dozen donuts. “Last year my roommate came back with these donuts, and I loved them. They were so fresh I couldn’t wait to get my hands on more. Now it is Kalamazoo staple for me and my friends.” Strachan enjoys a caramel apple doughnut on a sunny Sunday afternoon. “This place has that family feel you look forward to, you can really tell they care about the community and the product the community receives.”
Verhage Fruit Farms and Cider Mill, at 8619 W. Michigan Avenue, features a wide selection of apples from delicious red to granny smith. These sweet apples are used for a variety of things such as U-Pick apples, pies, caramel apples and cider. The U-pick is not just for apples, there are also miles of pumpkins and gourds for everyone’s fall enjoyment.
