Now that spring-cleaning is wrapped up, some homeowners may be starting to consider a face-lift. For the home, of course! Considering upgrading a kitchen, remodeling an attic, redecorating the kids' room or improving the exterior of your home? A great place to get some ideas is the Meridian-Kessler Home and Garden Tour!

The 34th Annual Meridian-Kessler Home and Garden Tour begins Thursday night, June 22, 2007, with the Twilight Masquerade and continues Saturday and Sunday, June 23 & 24, 2007, from noon until 5:00pm, when you can tour 10 beautiful, historic, and stately homes, bungalows and mansions in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood.

Start anywhere you wish, but Meghan Martin, Chairperson for Media and Marketing for the MKNA Home Tour recommends starting at the Haynes/Whorley home at 4245 N. Meridian. Take her advice and you're sure to be impressed by their carriage house and the "casino salvage" furniture and accessories. From there, stroll over to the Daly's home at 4275 N. Meridian and check out the amazing leaded-glass window on the stairway to the second floor. And, as you continue your tour, Martin advises: don't miss the elegant newly-remodeled master suite at the Kersey's home at 815 E. 57th Street, complete with French doors to the balcony.

Join the kick-off party on June 22 at the Twilight Masquerade and enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing as well as the memorable Silent Auction! According to the MKNA website, last year's Twilight celebration raised $17,000 for grants used to promote youth, senior and revitalization programs. This year's Twilight celebration will be held indoors at Highland Golf & Country Club on 52nd Street. A big change this year, as previous years' Twilight celebrations were held outdoors. This year, the air-conditioning is sure to be appreciated, and none of the pizzazz lost as pianist David Graf provides the cocktail hour music and The Impalas take over afterwards to provide "music that motivates" for the remainder of the evening's dancing and celebrating. Delicious samplings of Highland's Executive Chef will please your palate; make sure not to pass up the orange jicama salad, the apple raisin chutney pork tenderloins or the spanikopita. Or, just make a bee-line for the chocolate fountain! Tickets are $75 per person, and you can visit www.mkna.org or call Kelly Todd at 317.290.3705 for information.

Artist Lowell Hildebrandt will also be present at the Twilight Masquerade. His artwork renditions of some of the homes on the Garden Tour will be on display at the respective houses Saturday and Sunday. David Graf's talent will also be on display Sunday, as he plays piano at the Kersey's house at 815 E. 57th Street.

Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes as you tour the homes on Saturday and Sunday. There's a lot of ground to cover! The ten homes cover ground between Meridian Street and New Jersey Street and from 42nd Street to 57th Street. It's recommended that everyone park in the nearby neighborhoods. Unfortunately, due to the historic nature of the homes, accessibility is typically limited for the mobility impaired, says Martin. "However," she promises, "every effort will be made to accommodate the needs of these individuals within the physical limits of the home."

The tour goes on, rain or shine. If inclement weather arises, booties will be provided to cover your shoes during your walk through the homes.

Also, no smoking, eating or drinking will be allowed while inside the homes. Refreshments will be provided outside two of the homes. Children seven years and older are permitted to walk through the tour homes, but those younger than seven must be carried.

Enjoy this year's MKNA Home and Garden Tour and embrace the opportunity to get an intimate look at some of the greatest homes in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood. And take the opportunity to interact with the owners and get valuable tips on how to proceed with your own home projects!