At Home in Edmond - Spring 2023

Letter from the Publisher Letter from the Publisher

WELCOME TO SPRING AT HOME IN EDMOND

Thank you for taking the time to view Edmond’s only locally owned and operated magazine. If you are new to our publication, it will quickly become clear that we are about all things Edmond. Our staff and ownership are uniquely qualified to inform you on what is happening in our community.

We started our publishing company in the spring of 2000. To say Edmond has grown since then would be an understatement. Our number of Households in 2000 was 25,166 and it rose to 36,020 in 2018 with 37,123 in 2023 according to the Edmond Economic Development Authority. If you are like us, your home is one of if not the biggest investment you will make in life.

Edmond’s population has grown from just under 70,000 in 2000 to over 96,391 in 2023. The projection is for our population to be over 100,000 in a short time. These are numbers within the Edmond city limits. If you included the entire Edmond school district, the numbers would be much larger. The success and quality of our Edmond Public Schools has no doubt been the greatest economic driver for the city.

A popular topic among Edmond leadership and city government has dealt with “affordable housing”. I can honestly tell you I have no idea what that means. There is a plethora of levels that the term could be speaking to here in Edmond. How affordable?

Currently, the average new home price is $457,138, the average sales price is $408,367 and home ownership is at 65.6%. How low or what type of housing will reach the goal of affordable housing? Some like to point to what is being built in downtown Edmond as affordable housing but folks, it is far from it. Only professionals will be able to afford that type of housing. Before we zone for affordable housing we need to define it.

The bottom line to all the numbers is that any investment in purchasing a new home or remodeling your current home in Edmond is a good one. Our community is an outstanding place to live, raise a family and retire. Edmond has received numerous qualities of life ranked awards from local, state and national organizations.

This spring and summer are an exciting time in Edmond. There are many upcoming activities for you and your family to enjoy, even if you live outside of Edmond. You may not be able to vote in Edmond city elections, but you are more than welcome to come experience the quality of life we enjoy in our community.

I must thank our staff from advertising, production and the news room for all their hard work. Creating a beautiful, glossy magazine can be challenging when you put out a weekly newspaper and have all the deadlines that go with it. Our staff has risen to the challenge and worked hard to produce a quality magazine that Edmond can enjoy. We also thank our many loyal advertisers and welcome the new advertisers for their support of the spring edition of At Home in Edmond.

6 Road trip essentials

The open road beckons many people, inspiring everything from extensive adventures to short weekend jaunts. Whether a road trip lasts a few weeks or a few days, certain items should be packed along for the ride to ensure safety and convenience.

1. Safety items

Trips necessitate planning for the unexpected. When it comes to driving, that means certain maintenance tools and equipment. Some items to keep in a car include:

• jumper cables

• spare tire/car jack

• antifreeze

• motor oil

• windshield washer fluid

• flashlight and batteries

• emergency blanket

• nonperishable food/water

• spill-proof gas can

• flares or traffic cones

• plastic funnel

• first aid kit

2. Important documents

Don’t forget to bring along the necessary documents for operating a motor vehicle, including your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance. Be sure that you have valid credit cards, as it may be challenging to find an ATM in some rural areas. Keep in mind that cash is often king, so have some bills stashed away when credit cards are not accepted. In addition, tuck away a paper map, as cell phone signals may not be strong in mountainous areas or where coverage is blocked for other reasons.

3. Diversions

Long drives require entertainment to keep passengers occupied, no matter the age. Playing cards, portable video games, books, puzzles, movies, and more can be brought along to pass the hours on highways and byways.

4. Gadgets

Ours is a digital world in which technology reigns supreme. Be sure to bring along various device chargers, cameras, power banks, GPS devices, Bluetooth converter, and any other gadget that can make traveling more convenient.

5. Comfort items

Some creature comforts can make traveling more indulgent. Travel pillows, window shades, seat warmers, a toiletry bag with moisturizer and eye drops, sunglasses, slip-on shoes, and sunscreen are some of the comforts to include. Comfort items also can be customized depending on your preference.

6. Snacks

Cut back on the number of stops that have to be made by bringing along snacks. Trail mix, granola bars and other items that provide a mix of protein and carbohydrates will keep everyone from becoming hungry on the road.

Weekend road trips can go more smoothly when travelers have some essentials on hand. Customize the list based on who’s along for the ride and how long the trip will be.

Cooking in the Yard An Edmond resident found internet fame

Story and photos by Erika Williams

Like many of us Danny Dobrzenski enjoys cooking, eating, and sharing good food with others. Unlike many of us, Danny has taken this interest and turned that into an extremely popular social media brand called cookingintheyard.

Originally from New Jersey, Danny started cooking at a young age when he and his sister began helping their mom prepare dinner. This is where he first learned the basics of how to cook food well.

“It’s always been an interest of mine. I’ve always kind of liked to create something out of nothing. Taking some raw ingredients and turning it into something that can feed people and make them happy, that has always been an interest.”

This interest in cooking grew when Danny moved to Texas and learned how to make authentic Texas barbecue.

“I moved to Texas when I was in my early 20s and found out about really good barbecue. I started to play around with smoking meats and trying to replicate what I was getting at these really good places. Then it just became almost like a challenge or a game to try to keep getting better at it,” said Danny.

“So that was where I started cooking. I would say I really started with cooking meats and barbecue, and since then, it’s been a pretty regular part of my life.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Danny, his wife, Chanel, and their two kids moved to Edmond where Chanel is originally from. After moving, his wife suggested he create an Instagram account in April of 2020 to share photos of the food he made with his friends.

“I had a few buddies that when I would cook something, like a rack of ribs or brisket or something, I’d take a picture of it, almost competitively send it to them. They would send something back and we’d do that quite a bit. And then my wife just mentioned, why don’t you just post that to social media so everybody can look at it at the same time. And just kind of started from there,” said Danny.

Danny has no formal training as a chef but has learned by experimenting in the kitchen. Some of his success can be credited to his official taste tester, his 4-year-old daughter.

“She is very, very honest with her opinion, so if she says something is good, then I know that I nailed it,” said Danny. “She knows what a good steak is, and if it’s not good to her, then she’ll

tell you if it’s not and what’s wrong with it.”

Some of Danny’s success can be attributed to his willingness to try new things and experiment in the kitchen.

“I’m a big fan of eating so I just tried to recreate things that taste good. Honestly, doing all this, I’ve really learned a lot about recipe development and what flavor complements one another. It’s really been an interesting experience of how much I’ve learned with this as well,” said Danny.

Danny’s style of cooking and unique recipes soon began to attract the attention of others, and his following began to grow. He decided to branch out from barbecue and included other types of dishes in his work.

“I came to find out that we can only eat so many pounds of brisket or ribs in a week. So, I would take a brisket and I would do my brisket video, but then, I would do a few videos of doing some other dishes with the leftovers from it. I noticed those started getting really good attention, so I just started growing from there with it,” said Danny.

At this point Danny’s following began to grow, and he had amassed around 5,000 followers. He started to think about social media as a hobby and continues on Page 10

learned more about creating engaging content.

This change helped Danny reach a larger audience. He realized he could make cooking more approachable for people who wanted simple and fast recipes.

“What I’ve started to do is make things for a wider audience that appeal to a greater group of people and that’s kind of where it’s gone,” said Danny. “Recently, I focused on doing one recipe a day for a Super Bowl, like an appetizer sort of thing. It’s gone pretty well, and it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve gotten to eat a lot of new things also.”

As his following grew, Danny pivoted from photos to videos and expanded to other social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok, and Youtube. Soon, cookingintheyard became its own unique brand.

Danny really began to see his follower count grow in 2022. Cookingintheyard had 12,000 Instagram followers in January of 2022, and about 125,000 by the end of last year. Today, Danny has over 170,000 Instagram followers and multiple viral videos.

“I had a video that had like 50 million views on it. That brings a lot of people to your page. What I try to do is keep putting out really good content that

would get people engaged. I really kind of stuck to the process at that point, and it just grew.”

With the growth of cookingintheyard, Danny has also been able to partner with large brands like Domino’s Pizza, King’s Hawaiian Rolls, and Pepperidge Farms to name a few.

“With the big national brand ads, it’s really cool because I get to create something for a brand that I know and I’ve used my entire life. I don’t want to say

ads. They’re online marketing plan is to work with people like me and I really don’t take that lightly because I know how important every dollar is to a small business that’s just getting started.”

Danny also supports locally-owned businesses in the Edmond and Oklahoma City area by sharing about them on social media.

“The local community has been great. I’m always the first one to want to take a picture of my food or my beer and put it on my social media platforms to try to help out the local community as well.” Said Danny, “I don’t know if it makes a difference, but a lot of local establishments have been really good to me. I’ve got somewhat of a platform now, so I tried to return the favor.”

Outside of brainstorming ideas with his wife, Danny runs cookingintheyard by himself. It has grown beyond what he imagined and has taken on a life of its own. Although the growth has been fast, Danny says it’s been organic.

“It’s really moving. At this point, I’m enjoying it even more. It’s been fun.” Said Danny, “Candidly, I’d be very surprised if in two years I’m doing exactly what I’m doing now because I think it’s going to continue to evolve.”

Danny has adapted and learned to make cookingintheyard a success. He says he’s open to new opportunities but wants the growth to continue naturally as it always has. He is hoping to create a website where he can house his content and recipes more easily.

For those wishing to become a better cook, Danny’s advice is simple: practice.

like I’ve arrived, but it’s really cool that I get to work with some national brands,” said Danny.

National partnerships are an exciting part of this work for Danny, but he enjoys working with small businesses too.

Said Danny, “I do a lot of work for mom-and-pop businesses, spice companies and barbecue sauce companies, who can’t afford to buy a TV spot or who aren’t going to be buying full page

“Don’t be afraid to mess it up. If the expectation is perfection the very first time you do it, it’s not going to work out. You’ll drive yourself nuts and quit,” said Danny. “I would say, you know, you set the expectation of trying to create something that’s edible. Then you say, okay, this would be great with a little more salt. Or I want this a little sweeter, a little spicier, something like that. Then you do it again and you tinker with it until it fits your taste buds are what we’re looking for.

To see Danny’s recipes, follow cookingintheyard on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and Youtube.

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Edmond Farmers’ Market

Shop fresh shop local

By Rose Drebes

The Farmer’s Market celebrates 20 years as one of the city’s community programs when it returns to Downtown Edmond on Saturday, April 15.

Emily Young, marketing coordinater/Farmer’s Market Manager, said the market takes place every Saturday through Oct. 28, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The market is be closed on May 6 for the Downtown Edmond Arts Festival. Vendors set up at the city’s Festival Market Place, just west of Broadway off 1st Street.

“June-September we also have a midweek market located at Mitch Park,” Young said. “This market is every Wednesday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., for those four months.”

In the late 80s, a small group of farmers came together in a parking lot in the downtown area to sell their products to the community, she said. In 2004, the City of Edmond took over management of the enterprise and the Festival Market Place pavilion was named its home. Since then, the market has continued to grow with the addition of new farmers, ranchers, food manufacturers and local artisans.

The market is a one-stop-shop for the best quality goods from the best farmers and manufacturers in Oklahoma, Young said.

“The Edmond Farmer’s Market is a 100 percent Oklahoma market,” she said. “This means that all the items

found at the market were grown, made and manufactured in OK.”

In addition to the platinum anniversary, Young said this season promises to be the biggest ever.

“The market will be growing, again,” she said. “Shoppers can expect to see over 50 vendors each weekend. “New product offerings this season include more garden plants, fruit trees, goat and lamb products, goat cheese, unique baked goods, milk, cream and so much more.” Edmond Farmer’s Market’s longest-tenured farmer is Wayne Whitmore with Whitmore Farms. Whitmore Farms has been producing vegetables and beef since 1983.

“Wayne has been a staple at the market for many years and shoppers look for him on Saturday mornings,” Young said. “

Several new vendors are on board this season, Young said.

“From international baked goods to beef jerky to unique flavors of some of our crowd favorite items (think spicy lollipops or All Ya Need Seasoning Cheese), there will be something new for shoppers to try every weekend,” she said.

For more information, visit edmondok.gov/365/Farmers-Market or its Facebook page for the latest updates on weekly vendors.

PHOTO PROVIDED

At the Edmond Farmer’s Market, people can purchase produce, meat, plants, baked goods, salsa, BBQ sauce, herbs, crafts and more.

Arcadian Getaways

By Erika Williams

There’s nothing better than sneaking away with a loved one to a secluded romantic cottage designed for love and romance. Arcadian Getaways, located at 2600 East Camp Drive in Guthrie, makes this dream a reality.

Formerly known as Aaron’s Gate, Arcadian Getaways offers couples the perfect opportunity to relax and connect. Owners Gary and Martha Hall have been working as innkeepers for over 30 years. They opened the cottages in 2002 after running a bed and breakfast for several years.

In 1990, Gary and Martha opened the Arcadian Inn which was a five-room bed and breakfast. The couple later

expanded to nine rooms and added jacuzzi tubs.

“We put a jacuzzi in one of our rooms, and then that room became the most popular. So it turned out that we would put jacuzzies in all of our rooms. At one time, the Oklahoma City metro area only had 12 jacuzzies en suite, and I had seven of them,” said Martha.

Adaptations like these helped Gary and Martha build their reputation as experts in hospitality. Running the bed and breakfast, they honed in on what services create the best experience possible for couples.

In 2016, the couple sold their bed and breakfast, and now focus on Arcadian Getaways full time. Each cottage

has a different theme, and all of them feature a king bed, an outdoor hot tub, gas fireplace, and more.

Arcadian Getaways also offers many packages and services that are centered around their guests’ needs and wants. The midnight picnic service, for example, was created in response to a need that Gary and Martha often saw from a specific type of customer.

“We have a package called Fly Me to the Moon, and it has in it a midnight picnic. That came from customer service because newlyweds come in hungry. They get there at midnight, they haven’t eaten yet because they’ve been visiting with all their guests and

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PHOTOS PROVIDED

Meadowlark Barn cottage

PHOTOS PROVIDED

French Hen cottage

continued from Page 14 everything. We called it the midnight picnic because they’d have something to eat when they got in,” said Martha. Guests can also choose from other services like, rose petals on the bed, strawberries with two types of dipping sauce, a couples massage, breakfast and dinner meals, and even a milk and honey champagne bath.

Said Martha, “Each cottage has a big jacuzzi tub for two. Beside their tub they have the milk and that salt mixture in a beautiful carafe. They start running the water and put that in. Then they put in this little jar of honey that’s provided. After they get in the tub, they pour two bottles of champagne in and it does have therapeutic effects like drawing toxins and stuff

out, but really, it’s an indulgence, a romantic indulgence of taking a bath in champagne.”

Gary and Martha pride themselves on making sure each couple has a unique and meaningful time during their stay at the cottages.

“Probably the most important thing Gary and I do is making sure we have their names on the board and on their favors that they get to take home with them,” said Martha. “We try to have everything they need, and we try to be available to them. We try not to say no because there’s always some way to help them, to assist them.”

Because of their location, the cottages provide customers a more intimate experience. They are located only a few miles away from Edmond, Guthrie, and Oklahoma City, but Martha has found

that many couples prefer to stay on the cottage grounds.

Said Martha, “We’re close enough to the metro, so guests are not too far from restaurants and activities. However, most everyone wants to get to their cottage and get tucked in”

No matter the occasion, Arcadian Getaways is a great place for a romantic experience.

“A lot of our guests are just regular people celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, but we want them to feel like they’re newlyweds again,” said Martha. “We want them to feel like they’re on their honeymoon. We want them to feel that spark and revive that romance.”

For more information please visit www.arcadianinn.com or call 405-2011632.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Parrot’s Cove cottage

The Lark

Just a two-minute walk west of downtown Edmond

By Rose Drebes

The Lark is a community where neighbors share life together and where friends walk to their favorite café for morning coffee, enjoy the Edmond farmers market on a cool summer Saturday morning, take long afternoon walks under the shade of majestic pecan trees and end the day on their porch swing while sharing a glass of their favorite wine.

Located just a two-minute walk west of downtown Edmond on 1st Street, the Lark’s cottages are thoughtfully designed to make living easy and clutter-free. Homes are built in a pocket neighborhood and neighbors naturally feel like family. Front porches are as lived-in as any room in the house.

With 1 bed, 1.5 bed, and 2 bed cottages revealing stunning kitchens, luxurious bathrooms and peaceful living areas with cozy fireplaces, the Lark allows owners

to upgrade to the “the loveliness of less.” The homes range in size from 689-1,273-square-foot cottages to 2,240-square-foot duplexes.

Matthew Myers and his team started thinking about the Lark development in 2018. But it got started officially in 2022, Sarah Tunnell, head of marketing, said.

“We were inspired by home buyers who are wanting a smaller and more functional home with more luxury,” she said. ‘’People are tired of large yards to maintain and big homes to heat and cool. Lark buyers want to live a more simple lifestyle that is walkable to dozens of places to eat, drink and shop in downtown Edmond.”

It seems like people are really getting on board, Tunnell said.

“We think it connects with people who sense the challenges of having an automobile-centric lifestyle where it’s difficult to see others in the day and really can be lonely, not just for

themselves but their children,” she said. “The Lark offers a high-end cottage option with ample opportunity to connect with neighbors and walk to work/retail/the farmers market.”

The Lark appeals to a variety of homeowners.

“People are really excited as it works for many different types of people,” Tunnell said.

Empty nesters, young professionals and even large families are showing interest in the Lark. She said the Business Geographer did a market profile of Edmond and 60 percent of Edmond households are one-to-two-person and 77 percent are one-to-three-person.

“There is a real need for smaller more urban living conditions,” she said.

Much of the development should be complete in 2023, with the rest being mostly finished up in 2024. For more information, visit edmondlark.com.

Small renovations

Home renovations provide a host of benefits. Such projects can increase resale value and improve on the safety, aesthetics and functionality of a home.

Some homeowners may employ the mantra “go big or go home” when they embark on home improvements, thinking that only the largest renovations produce noticeable change. But that’s not the case. Various smaller renovations can provide a lot of bang for homeowners’ bucks as well.

• Countertops (and hardware): A complete kitchen overhaul may stretch some homeowners’ budgets. However, changing an older countertop for a new material can provide the facelift a kitchen needs. And while changing the cabinets may be homeowners’ ultimate goal, swapping hardware in dated finishes for newer handles and pulls can provide low-cost appeal.

• Paint: Painting a space is an inexpensive improvement that adds

maximum impact. Paint can transform dark and drab rooms into bright and airy oases. Paint also can be used to create an accent wall or cozy nooks. Homeowners also can showcase their personalities with their choice of paint colors.

• Lighting: Homeowners should not underestimate what a change in lighting can do. When rooms or exterior spaces are illuminated, they take on entirely new looks. It’s worth it to invest in new lighting, whether it’s a dramatic hanging light over the dining room table or task lighting in dim spaces.

• Weatherproofing: Improving windows, doors, weatherstripping, and insulation in a home can offer visual appeal and help homeowners save money. The initial investment may be significant, but those costs will pay off in energy savings. According to One Main Financial, space heating is the largest energy expense the average American

homeowner has, accounting for around 45 percent of all energy costs.

• Mudroom: Turn an entryway into a more functional space with the addition of cabinets, benches or custom-designed storage options that perfectly fit the area. Cubbies and cabinets can corral shoes, umbrellas, hats, bags, and much more.

• Accent updates: Any space, whether it’s inside or outside a home, can get a fresh look with new decorative accents. Invest in new throw pillows and even slipcovers for living room sofas. Use new tile or paint the brick on a fireplace in a den, then update the mantel with decorative displays. Purchase wall art that can bring different colors into a room. Change the cushions on deck furniture and buy color-coordinated planters.

These subtle changes will not cost as much as full-scale renovations, but they can still help homeowners transform their homes.

can make a big impact

Pillar to Post Home Inspection

By Rose Drebes

After retiring out of Tinker with the Air Force, new Pillar to Post Home Inspectors franchisee Chris St. Peter says he feels he has landed the perfect next career.

“This company has made me feel right at home, much like the community here in Edmond has made me feel,” he said. “I enjoy everything that Pillar to Post has to offer and love sharing that with my clients.”

St. Peter was looking for a business opportunity that was not only interesting, but offered flexibility, allowing him to dictate his schedule as he and his wife Giulia are the parents of nine children. He said he has always had an interest in home construction and saw providing home inspections as a necessary service for potential customers rather than a discretionary one.

“I didn’t like the idea of going to another government job or the corporate sector where I’m basically making someone else money,” he said. “I like the idea of being an entrepreneur since it shows you can still make a good living without having to spend a crazy amount of money on a degree that might not even get you an interview nowadays.”

Another of the many reasons St. Peter chose Pillar To Post Home Inspectors is the innovative technologies the company introduced in the past 18 months. He said these advanced technologies, along with the business model, provide an exceptional home inspection with unique and innovative features that are all

delivered within a seamless brand experience. All developed pre-pandemic and ready to be utilized when the pandemic struck, the new features further highlight Pillar To Post Home Inspectors’ standing as a visionary in its industry. The package is now known as the Ultimate Home Inspection and it’s revolutionizing the home inspection industry. So much so that the company was just awarded the much-coveted Best Innovators by Franchise Update Media in the category of “best customer service tools.”

St. Peter said that with his franchise, he received very vigorous training. He has been certified by the state and is licensed as a home inspector. Right now, he is the only employee.

“Later in the year, I plan on hiring local veterans to employ as my business expands,” he said.

As a home inspector, St. Peter said his job is to give a detailed account of the home involved so clients are aware of any potential discrepancies or dangers involved with the home. There are quite a few things that set Pillar to Post apart from other home inspection services, he said.

“For starters, we have the ability to print our reports in color and on site at the time of the inspection,” he said. “Clients do not have to wait days or weeks to get the report back.

“Another thing that makes us different is that we offer a monitoring

service for a lot of the home’s major equipment such as air conditioners, furnaces and water heaters to name a few,” St. Peter continued. “One of the biggest things that make us stand apart is that we include a virtual 360-degree tour with all of our inspections. We even have the ability to include a measured floor plan.”

“Of course, there’s even more than what I’ve mentioned but I think one of the biggest things is the first-class level of service my company offers that continues to impress our clients. It’s for these reasons that I purchased a franchise as I believe it is simply the best home inspection company out there.”

St. Peter said he “absolutely” loves being a franchise owner with Point to Post.

“I look forward to serving Edmond and our surrounding neighbors even more and giving back to the community that took me in,” he said. St. Peter can be reached at (405) 960-2240 or by email at chris.st.peter@pillartopost.com. Visit his website chrisstpeter.pillartopost.com.

Wheelhaus Tiny Homes Living Large with Less

Prefabricated, modular tiny homes surged in popularity during the pandemic as homeowners sought more space at home, home offices, and getaways to remote locations. Flash forward to 2023 with mortgage rates pushing 7%, construction costs soaring, and the housing market crumbling, and tiny homes are more practical and desirable than ever.

“We are seeing clients more than ever purchasing our tiny homes as a way to stay in their existing homes and expand, instead of moving to get more space,” says Jamie Mackay, founder of modular prefab tiny house manufacturer, Wheelhaus.” Our tiny homes are ecofriendly, modular luxury cabins on wheels and they’ve never been more in-demand than right now.”

The attraction of living large with less now rests in what prefab tiny homes can become: an easy extension of your existing home. From a guest house designed for multigenerational living to a rumpus room or “she shed,” the addition of a tiny house to an existing home is an easy and relatively affordable

way to radically change lifestyle for the better.

Founded in 2006, Wheelhaus introduced the motto, “Living LARGE with Less” with the first affordable, yet truly high-end tiny homes and modular homes. The company’s less is more mantra rings true with millennials and Gen Z homebuyers: less building materials, less square footage and less waste.

“High-quality craftsmanship, materials, and design go into every Wheelhaus home,” said Mackay. “Our homes are delivered turnkey and ready for immediate use. Starting at $149,000, they are often more affordable than doing a renovation or addition to an existing home. Plus, if you decide the space is unnecessary down the road, you can sell the unit to recoup most of your initial investment.”

Blending rustic and modern, Wheelhaus designs combine both the durability and quality craftsmanship of a log cabin with a modern focus on energy efficiency, innovative design, progressive space management, and top of the line building materials.

Spring into cleaning with these helpful tips

Spring is a season of renewal. When the flowers are blooming and the trees are budding and the weather is pleasantly warm, people often feel inspired to make changes around their homes. Work may begin with culling belongings and organizing essentials.

There is debate regarding where the practice of “spring cleaning” originated. Some researchers link it to certain religious groups. It has long been an ancient Jewish custom to thoroughly clean a house in preparation for the springtime feast of Passover. The house is scoured to remove any yeast bread, or chametz, from the home. Similarly, members of the Greek Orthodox church celebrate “Clean Week,” which is a week of cleaning before Lent. In Iranian culture, families spend days cleaning prior to the Persian New Year, which begins on the spring equinox.

Spring cleaning also has some secular roots. For instance, in the 1800s, Londoners routinely cleared their homes of grime and soot that accumulated over the winter.

Spring cleaning is still a ritual for many today. As people embark on their plans to tidy up, these tips can help them along.

Tackle one big task a day

Who hasn’t started one project only to be distracted into moving along to another room? This often occurs when people discover something out of place in one space and then move that item where it belongs, only to find a new cleaning task at hand in that space. Inefficiency can make you give up on spring cleaning prematurely. Agree to address one room/task a day. Keep a basket or box handy to store errant items until you move on to the next room.

Stock up on supplies

Prepare all of the cleaning supplies in advance. Put together a tool kit of sorts with the equipment you need, including mops, brooms, rags, cleansers, and the like. Organization can keep you on course.

Harness your strengths and weaknesses

Some people clean because they

are stressed or angry, others do so to avoid other tasks. Keep personality in mind when establishing a cleaning schedule. For example, clean at night if you’re a night owl, or wait until you are feeling antsy before embarking on a “calm down cleaning.”

Tackle seasonal chores first

Some tasks need to get done to prepare for the spring and summer season. These may include cleaning the grill and sorting through outdoor furniture and decor. Spring cleaning may involve readying the pool for another year of use, or cleaning out rain gutters to prepare for spring storms. Tackle time-dependent tasks first and then move on to others that are less time-sensitive.

Spread out the work

Some people like to devote full weekends to spring cleaning, but that can be overwhelming for others. Breaking down cleaning tasks into 15to 30-minute intervals each day can make the job more tolerable.

Spring cleaning season has arrived, and certain tips can make the job more efficient and manageable.

Spring activities for families to enjoy together

Spring is one of the most popular seasons of the year. After several months of chilly temperatures in many regions, spring provides a welcome reprieve from the cold.

Moderate temperatures makes it much more comfortable and inviting to venture outdoors, particularly for families with children who might not adapt to the cold as well as adults. The following are some family-friendly activities that make the most of spring renewal.

Visit botanic gardens

If there’s a botanical garden nearby, a visit in spring is a great time to soak in the beauty of nature. That’s because an abundance of flowers bloom during the spring, meaning a garden will be in peak form. Visitors can meander through rows of rose bushes or tour the labyrinth of trimmed hedges. Beautiful, flowering cherry trees, with their delicate pink or white petals, also are sights to behold in spring.

Prepare a home garden

Visiting a garden is one thing, creating one at home is another. In addition to planning a vegetable garden to enjoy tasty pickings throughout summer, you can devote some property to flowers that will attract wildlife. Check with a garden center about

which flowers and plants attract butterflies and other beneficial insects. Many garden centers sell butterfly and hummingbird mixes to attract wildlife.

Go animal watching

Flowers are not the only thing on display come the spring. Many animals, including birds, are born this time of year. Baby animals are not only adorable, they can be entertaining to watch grow. Families can spend time viewing the animals that visit their yards or surrounding parks, being careful to keep their distance.

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Adults may be quite protective of their young, so it’s better to watch from the lens of a camera or with binoculars. Always resist the urge to help a baby animal who seems like it was abandoned. The parent may be a short distance away gathering food or trying to avoid drawing attention to the young to deter predators.

Get out on the water

A bright, warm day is an ideal time to enjoy the open water. Spring is a season when many marinas reopen and avid boaters put their vessels back into the water. You also can venture into streams or lakes aboard kayaks or canoes, getting exercise and seeing the scenery in the process. Bring a fishing pole along and cast it into the water for a few hours of recreation.

Make wind chimes

Enhance the garden or decor around the home by making wind chimes or other percussion items that can create beautiful music when spring breezes blow. Commercially available kits are sold, but wind chimes also can be made from items like bamboo or even strung shells.

These are just a few family-friendly activities

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