This section is here to give our readers easier access when searching for a trusted neighborhood partner to use. Get to know the businesses that make this magazine possible. Please support them in return and thank them if you get the chance!
ATTORNEY
Attorney - Lisa Bernstein (847) 577-2227 dkmolaw.com
BAKE SHOP
The Bakester Patisserie (224) 310-9192 thebakester.com
BEAUTY
LTH Beauty Esthetic & Wellness Co (224) 425-4109 www.lthbeauty.com
Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances
Many thanks to the Arlington Heights community for your contributions! We are always looking for residents to find great stories and send us ideas. Let’s celebrate the great things happening in our community! No contribution is too small. Please email strollscarsdale@gmail.com with your pictures, suggestions and submission requests.
Rocco Smeriglio Resident Writer
Michele Freiheit Resident Writer
Taylor DeCook Resident Writer
Haley Petricca Resident Writer
JULY
Hello Neighbors!
Summer is in full swing here in Arlington Heights, and there’s something about July that brings such a vibrant energy to our community—patio gatherings, fireworks, festivals, and those long sun-soaked days we all wish could last forever.
This month, Stroll Scarsdale the people and stories that make our community shine. From local pets and small business spotlights to family fun and community events, this issue is a celebration of all the things that make Scarsdale - Arlington Heights such a special place to call home.
I’m so grateful to be on this journey with you—getting to know your families, sharing your milestones, and connecting through the stories that matter. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly as the new publisher. I appreciated all the kind emails and messages from you on our Socials. It’s truly a joy to bring this publication to your doorstep each month.
LOCAL EVENTS
Sunday, June 1 - Thursday, July 31
Arlington Heights Memorial Library - Summer Reading Program
500 N. Dunton Avenue
Read (or be read to) all summer long, anywhere, anytime. Track how many days you read this summer and earn prizes along the way! https://www.ahml.info/summer
Tuesday, July 1
11:30am -12:30pm
Kids Concert: Being Bilingual Rocks
North School Park, 307 N Evergreen Avenue
Alina Celeste and Mi Amigo Hamlet provide an interactive, one of a kind celebration of love, acceptance and diversity. They weave an eclectic blend of original and traditional songs from Latin America that kids and families on a musical journey. www.ahpd.org
Wednesday, July 2 - Sunday, July 6
5:00pm -10:00pm
Frontier Days Festival
Recreation Park, 500 E. Miner Street
49 years of a completely volunteer run 5 day Festival held during the 4th of July weekend in Arlington Heights. Please check website for the hours of operations. www.frontierdays.org
Friday, July 4 4th of July
Friday, July 4
10:00am -11:00am
Fourth of July Parade
Dunton & Oakton
The Fourth of July parade steps off at 10 a.m. from Dunton & Oakton, traveling South on Dunton to Miner, and then east to Recreation Park for the Frontier Days Festival. https:// frontierdays.org/4th-of-july-parade/
Saturday, July 5 - Saturday, October 11
8:00am -12:00pm
Arlington Heights Farmers Market 110 W. Fremont Street
Every Saturday thru October. Find a great selection of fruits, vegetables and other local products. www. artlightonheightsfarmersmarket.org
Tuesday, July 8
11:30am -12:30pm
Kids Concert: Little Miss Ann North School Park, 307 N Evergreen Avenue
Ann Torralba, aka Little Miss Ann, is an award-winning Chicago kids musician. www.ahpd.org
Saturday, July 12
10:00am -12:00pm
Banta Open House
Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W. Fremont Street
Step back in time at the Banta House during their FREE open house on the Arlington Heights Historical Museum grounds! Discover the rich history of this beautifully preserved home an explore the stories that shaped our community.
Tuesday, July 15
10:00am -12:15pm
Unplug Illinois
North School Park, 307 N Evergreen Avenue
Ditch your devices and “unplug” with bubble-making, cool crafts and live music with Ben Tatar and the Tatar Tots! www.ahpd.org
Wednesday, July 16
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Yacht Rock! with Anchors Away
North School Park, 307 N Evergreen Avenue
Anchors Away was founded in 2018 as a passion project of founder/band leader and percussionist Jim Pallucci. Anchors Away uses no “tracks” or pre-recorded music of any kind. What you hear is real music created in real time by real musicians. Every show is live, without a net!
Tuesday, July 29
5:30pm - 8:30pm
National Night Out
North School Park, 307 N Evergreen Avenue
National Night Out is a free event that is open to all residents and will feature live entertainment, fun activities for kids and families, and more! national_night_out.php
Thomson Insurance Agency, Inc.
PETRICCA Say Hello TO THE Family!
BY RESIDENTS RICK AND HALEY PETRICCA
Family members: Rick, Haley and Lincoln (7 year old English Cream Golden Retriever).
Where are you originally from? Rick is from Arlington Heights and Haley is from Cleveland, Ohio.
How long have you lived in this neighborhood? We moved to Arlington Heights in October 2024.
Is there anything your neighbors might know you for? Our neighbors might have noticed our dog, Lincoln, roaming up and down the white picket fence whenever visitors pass by on Sigwalt.
How did you meet? We met in October 2019 when Haley was visiting one of her friends in Chicago, who just so happened to be friends with one of Rick’s friends. We met at the mutual friend’s apartment and hit it off right away! A few weeks later, Rick invited Haley back to Chicago to be his date for a MakeA-Wish Foundation charity event and she accepted. After an amazing weekend together, we visited each other every couple of weeks. When COVID hit in March 2020, Haley and Lincoln decided to quarantine in Rick’s apartment downtown and the rest is history!
What do they like to do for fun? Boating, staying active with fitness and tennis/pickleball, working on home projects, spending time with friends, traveling, cooking, and trying out new restaurants. We recently launched @actionheightslifestyle on Instagram to share our experiences living in Arlington Heights! It’s been a fun way for us to discover new spots, meet new people, and strengthen our bond as a married couple. Follow along and send us your recommendations. A true “tradition” for us is Bourbon Thursday. Now that we’re just a 10-minute walk from Rick’s parents and sister, we’ve started a weekly family dinner called “Bourbon Thursday,” which is basically an excuse to get together, eat, and enjoy some bourbon!
Tell us something interesting about your family. In 2022, we turned a passion for Chicago’s boating scene into a side project that grew into Chicago Boating Hub. Our business celebrates everything boating in the city; from Lake Michigan’s scenic shoreline to the iconic Playpen gathering spot. We help connect people with the best local boat rentals and charter services while supporting Chicago’s boating community. chicagoboatinghub.com!
What is your favorite family meal? Haley loves making her grandmother’s pasta sauce and is still perfecting the recipe. She usually makes it about twice a month, and we always enjoy it on Sundays while listening to classic Italian music. The recipe is featured in this issue!
What is your profession? Rick went to Indiana University and works on the Global IT team at Suntory Global Spirits. Haley went to Ohio University and works on the Marketing team at Built In.
Are you passionate about any charities? We go to the MakeA-Wish Foundation charity event called “I Wish to Party” every year!
What are your favorite things to do around town? Our go-to spot has definitely been the Arlington Ridge Center. We love the gym, pools, and the pickleball and basketball courts. We also enjoy heading downtown to check out the local restaurants and shops.
What are your favorite restaurants? Birdsnest, Armands, Salsa 17, and Passero.
Do you have a favorite vacation destination? We absolutely love going to Naples, Florida, during the winter. In fact, during COVID, we had the chance to “snowbird” there for four years! We love it so much that we even got married there in January 2024. Now, we’re planning a trip to Naples, Italy.
Have a family that you would like to see featured in STROLL Scarsdale? Scan QR Code to submit a nomination!
Check out Haley’s Recipe “Grandma Sally’s Sunday Sauce” on page 11
Arlington High School Baseball Team circa 1915. Photo Courtesy of the Arlington Heights Historical Museum.
Grandma Sally’s Sunday Sauce
BY RESIDENT HALEY PETRICCA
This is my grandma’s classic Italian red sauce recipe! It’s the kind of dish that makes your whole house smell like Sunday dinner. In our family, this sauce is a labor of love—started in the morning, simmered all day, and served over pasta for big family gatherings. It’s perfect for holidays like Christmas or Easter, or anytime you’re hosting guests and want to make something special but comforting.
INGREDIENTS:
• 4 - Pork Neck Bones (This is critical but you can also use Country-Style Ribs, you want to have the bone-in for flavor)
• 1 - Small Yellow Onion
• 2 - Normal Sized or 4 Small Garlic Cloves
• 2 (28 oz) Cans of Tomato Purée
• 1 (28 oz) Can of Crushed Tomato
• Parsley and Basil to taste (I start with about 1/4 cup each)
• Salt + Pepper to taste
• Water (see directions for amount)
• 1/2 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
PREP WORK
Chop the onion Mince the garlic Open all tomato cans and have them ready
DIRECTIONS
• Step 1: Brown the neck bones with EVOO and set aside
• Step 2:Brown the onion and garlic until translucent.
• Step 3: Add all three tomato cans
• Step 4: Add two cans’ worth of water
• Step 5: Add salt, pepper, parley, and basil
• Step 6: Stir and bring to a boil
• Step 7: Once it is boiling, you can add the meat and reduce to simmer
• Step 8: Simmer for at least 3 hours as it thickens
This recipe comes straight from my grandmother’s mouth to the notes on my phone; no fancy steps, just good, simple cooking. Her directions were always short and sweet, passed down verbally, and I’ve tried to keep them that way here. A pinch of this, a handful of that — it’s less about measurements and more about feel. That’s how she cooked, and it’s how I try to capture her flavor every time I make this.
Meet Tetiana Nyzhnyk founder of Event Couture
A luxury event design studio
BY TETIANA NYZHNYK
ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO, I decorated my daughter’s birthday party for the very first time. I poured my heart into every detail — and to my surprise, I absolutely loved the process. That day, something clicked. I discovered a side of myself I didn’t know existed — the creative side, the designer, the dreamer.
What started as a simple gesture quickly became a passion. I began creating decor for friends and family, often for free, just for the joy of it. Slowly but surely, word spread. People started reaching out, asking me to design for their birthdays, baby showers, and special milestones.
Over time, my hobby transformed into a full-fledged business — and eventually into Event Couture, a studio built on passion, precision, and the desire to make people feel celebrated.
Today, I specialize in custom event decor, offering everything from luxury balloon installations, floral centerpieces, and backdrops to personalized helium balloons and elegant party rentals. Every project is tailored to the client’s vision and personality — I believe no two events should ever feel the same.
One of the things I’m most proud of is opening my very own studio. The studio also doubles as a professional photo space, available for private sessions and rentals. It features beautiful backdrops, lighting, and curated setups perfect for any occasion.
What truly drives me is connection. I take the time to listen to my clients — their tastes, their dreams, their stories — and from there, I design with heart. Communication is key in my process, and I strive to make everything as clear, collaborative, and inspiring as possible.
I’m also a proud mom of three, and my family is my biggest inspiration. They keep me grounded, motivated, and constantly dreaming bigger. For me, Event Couture is more than a business — it’s a reflection of who I am, what I love, and the joy I find in
helping others celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. Thank you for being a part of my journey.
Event Couture (224) 200 - 3445 eventcouturellc@gmail.com. 20771 N Rand Rd Unit 5B, Kildeer www.eventcouturechicago.com
Check out our Instagram page! @event_couture_chicago
Tetiana Nyzhnyk founder of Event Couture
Rocco’s Review
Cilantro Taco Grill: Your Dose of Deliciousness
BY RESIDENT ROCCO SMERIGLIO
Have you ever stumbled across a discreet place that may not be the most visible corner of your town? Then you find it and it’s your little secret? I did that very thing last month, only I have decided to share it to our loyal readers.
My wife Andrea and I, love Mexican food, so we tried Cilantro at 6 South Dunton Ave. in downtown Arlington Heights. Opened by former Harley Davidson corporate executive Eduardao Bravo, Cilantro reflects so much of the culture and passion that Eduardo was raised with.
Cilantro’s elevated casual feel and format serves the dine in, carry out and catering consumer well. For the dine in customer, we found this establishment to be incredibly clean and efficient. Orders take place at the counter followed by a delivery to your table. Carry out and catering are a big part of the business and provide a great alternative to typical pizza orders. Specifically, the Charola De Tacos boast a tray of 20 tacos for $79 and would be great for any gathering.
The rest of Cilantro’s menu is rather simple, and delicious. Taco’s, Torta’s, Burritos, Taco Salads, and a Burrito Belly Bowl
that is available with 14 different protein options from steak to breaded chicken. On this particular night I dove into one of Cilantro’s specialty options. The three Quesabirrias order comes with Consome and was a delicious choice. The fresh and tender asada, combined with the light crispy shell was a wonderful diversion from so many of the usual options found in restaurants. Andrea made a healthy choice by ordering the Tilapia bowl. She was delighted and thoroughly enjoyed the selection as it was fresh and on the lighter side. The house made salsas were also a star of the visit. All made fresh.
The staff at Cilantro is very friendly and deliver food quickly and hot off the grill. Bottom line, Cilantro is a great value, consistent, affordable and clean. A wonderful experience!
Cilantro Taco Grill - Arlington Heights
6 S. Dunton Ave. (847) 606 - 7608
Sunday - Thursday 11 AM – 9 PM Friday & Saturday 11 AM – 10 PM
Rocco Smeriglio and Cilantro owner, Eduardao Bravo
Andrea and Rocco Smeriglio
OMNI for All - Serving the Northwest Suburbs with Mental Health Services
BY LAUREN CHILVERS, CFRE, COMMUNITY & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, OMNI
and support services to more than 115,000 people. We serve kids, adults, and families facing emotional, behavioral, substance use, and mental health challenges. Our services are available to all Scarsdale residents —whether they have private insurance, Medicaid, or no insurance at all. Caleb was a teen who wasn’t just struggling with school—his life was full of chaos. A hospitalized family member took up most of the household’s time and resources. On top of that, Caleb has ADHD and was caught in ongoing bullying, making school feel more like a battleground than a safe place to learn. Thanks to OMNI, help came to him.
Caleb’s counselor met him and they found strategies to handle bullying and manage emotions. Caleb began to thrive—finding joy, pride in his progress, and the focus to learn and grow.
Tell us how OMNI started? OMNI was founded in 1972 by community members to support local youth during a time of cultural change and growing need. What began as a teen hotline quickly evolved into a full-service behavioral health organization. Today, we serve individuals and families of all ages, staying true to our name—OMNI, meaning “all”—by providing inclusive, accessible care to everyone in our community.
Why is it so important to our community? The need for mental health and substance use support
continues to grow in our community. OMNI plays a vital role by providing accessible, high-quality care and strengthening partnerships that connect people to the help they need. When individuals and families are supported, the entire community thrives.
Is there a way that others can get involved or support your organization? You can support OMNI’s mission in many ways—from one-time gifts to monthly donations, event sponsorships, or including OMNI in your will.
Are there any important events coming up with your organization? OMNI’s Back to School Campaign and our Holiday Gift Drive— which provided gifts to over 800 kids last year.
OMNI www.omni4all.org (847) 353-1500
OMNI Intact Clinical Supervisor Miriam Torres prepares to home deliver diapers donated by generous OMNI supporters to a family in need.
OMNI’s Back-to-School campaign provides backpacks and supplies to families facing hardships.
Hanna Wierzba, Project Lead, Prevention Department, in one of OMNI’s play therapy rooms. OMNI provides counseling to kids 5 and older.
ROXIE THE GOLDENDOODLE
BY RESIDENTS ROXIE (MICHELE) FREIHEIT
Family members: Chuck, Michele, Felicity, Nathan, Roxie Freiheit
Street you live on: Windsor Dr.
Is Roxie an angel or a bit of a troublemaker? Roxie is the boss! When she wants something she lets us know! If she wants pets she hits us. Food-- she barks. If she wants to play, she jumps
Ocean Prime Travel
How would Roxie tell the story of the day she met you and your human family? The first time we met Roxie we met all of her siblings. She would probably say that we all held her so tight and loved her so much and that the mom (me) kept calling her the fat one with the most curls! Then several months later when we got to bring her home, she would say “ OMG I was so excited to meet my forever family. I remember walking down the block with my forever mom, watching Felicity and Nathan walk home from school and surprising them. I jumped all over them, licking and kissing Felicity. She dropped to her knees on the sidewalk, crying, and hugging me. It was magical! It was everything I ever dreamed of!
What are her personality traits? She is very playful! She greets everyone at the door with all of her energy & excitement!
What is her favorite Arlington Heights park? We walk and run through Centennial Park!
What is her pet peeve? Don’t lay on her! She will get up and walk away! It’s like she is part cat. And then she’ll come right back up to you hitting you with her paw to pet her chest.
Taylor DeCook
BY RESIDENT TAYLOR DECOOK
Street you live on: Pine Ave
School you attend: I went to Dryden Elementary, Prospect High School and now I am a Junior at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
How old are you? 21
What sport do you play? I play soccer and have been playing soccer for 16 years.
What inspired you to get started with soccer? My Dad inspired me to go out for any sport we could basically think of. Soccer instantly became my favorite sport, and with my greatest strength being my speed he threw out the idea of joining track with my siblings.
What positions do you play? My primary position in soccer is forward, but I’ve also been trying out right wing back. I’m hoping I can make that my main position in upcoming years.
What do you enjoy most when playing soccer? I enjoy getting hyped and cheering on my teammates. I just love to get loud and jump around celebrating all of the hard work that goes into every play. Getting to share that energy and passion for soccer is my favorite part.
Who is someone you admire? Someone I admire is my twin sister Payton. She has always had an unbelievable work ethic, and discipline like no other I’ve ever known. She has always striven to be the best she can be, and supported me with all of my dreams. She was amazing at everything she ever did, and I’ve always looked up to her courage and confidence. She is my best friend since birth and my best soccer duo partner.
What advice do you have for others looking to get into soccer? Trust in your self and never stop putting in the effort. Taking the extra time to play outside of practice makes the biggest difference. Success starts with belief, and effort is the key to unlocking that potential.
Beyond sports, what do you like to do? I enjoy staying active hanging out with my family, friends, and pets. I still like to find time to kick back, draw, play video games, or listen to music.
If you were to continue to play soccer, what do you hope to become or accomplish someday? If it were a perfect world, I would love to continue my soccer career by playing professional overseas.
