Yes, fall is coming. With fall comes not only the change of seasons, but often the inevitable common case of fall boredom. Luckily, there is a cure for the fall blues. The following is a guide to inexpensive entertainment in the Dayton area.

Ease into fall with a trip to a local apple orchard on a lazy Saturday. Apple picking is certainly not your everyday college activity. You'll do more by noon than your roommates do all day. Get a few friends together and head out for a day of apple fun. Hidden Valley Fruit Farm in Lebanon, Ohio, offers 30 different kinds of apples. Whether you like Granny Smith or Gala, you can find a variety to suit your taste. Call (513) 932-1869 for more information about location and hours.

Peifer Orchards in Yellow Springs is another jewel in Southwest Ohio, with over a dozen varieties of apples to choose from. Visit http://www.peiferorchards.com for more information. A few tips for picking: look for trees with healthy looking fruit on the ground, not rotten. Also, remember that color doesn't necessarily indicate ripeness. Visit http://www.allaboutapples.com for more tips and recipes for cooking your pickings.

Get in the Halloween spirit by visiting an area haunted house. Nightmare on Valley Street is sure to be a scare. Guests will encounter more than 20 frightful scenes and 40 monsters along the trail. The Web site promises 'we will scare the yell out of you,' but don't take our word for it'find out for yourself. Visit http://www.nightmareonvalleystreet.com or call 397-2273 for more information.

Boonybrook Farms is another place to 'get your scare on.' Located a few miles from campus in Centerville, the farm is known for its fall festivals, haunted hayride and maze. According to the Web site, Boonybrook is Ohio's oldest haunted hayride. Visit http://www.bonnybrookfarms.com for more information or call 433-0866 with questions.

You can also enjoy the final days of nice weather by supporting the Flyer football team. Several home games are scheduled this fall. Come see the Flyers take on Morehead State October 7 at Welcome Stadium. Tickets are free with a student ID. Call x94433 or e-mail FlyerTickets@notes.udayton.edu for more information.

If you're the outdoorsy type, then you might enjoy the scenery in Oakwood. Oakwood's winding roads and rolling hills make it perfect for a mid afternoon stroll. Soon the leaves will be changing and the air is crisp, perfect conditions for a walk. Take a break from your work to enjoy the sights only blocks away from UD.

What are you waiting for? Get off your couch and explore what Dayton has to offer. After all, fall only comes once a year, so you might as well make the most of it.