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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
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
Marta Braunstein Resident Writer
Wesley Tosch Resident Writer
Elaine Schreck Resident Writer
SEPTEMBER
As summer winds down and the school year kicks off, September always feels like a fresh start in Arlington Heights. Whether you’re walking kids to school, cheering on fall sports, or simply enjoying the shift in seasons, there’s an energy in the air that reminds us of the strong community we’re lucky to be part of.
In this issue, we’re spotlighting neighbors who inspire us—from local students and families to small business owners and community volunteers. We’re also highlighting upcoming events and sharing ways to stay involved as the calendar fills up with activities and gatherings.
As always, thank you to our sponsors and readers for making Stroll Scarsdale possible. Your support helps us celebrate what makes this town so special—its people.
Here’s to new routines, cooler temps, and plenty of connection this season!
Dolly McCarthy Publisher
Scan the QR code to sign up to receive a digital copy of STROLL Scarsdale, nominate a neighbor, athlete or pet to be featured in an upcoming issue!
Have a family that you would like to see featured in STROLL Scarsdale? Scan QR Code to submit a nomination!
SAY HELLO TO THE
KANDZIC Family!
BY RESIDENTS ANEL AND ADISA KANDZIC
Family members: Anel, Adisa, Alea (4) Adem (1)
How long have you lived in the neighborhood? 4 years.
Is there anything your neighbors might know you for? We spend a lot of time outdoors, so our neighbors usually see us hanging out, walking with the kids, or heading to the park.
How long have you been with your spouse and how did you meet? We’ve been together for nearly 16 years and just recently celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. We met back in college through mutual friends.
Tell us about your kids. Our kids are in daycare right now. Our daughter is full of energy and loves playing soccer—it’s been so fun watching her get into the game; she is currently loving the outdoor season. Our son is still little, so he’s not in any activities yet, but he keeps us on our toes and loves playing with his big sister.
What do you like to do together as a family? We’re passionate about travel and did a lot of exploring before having kids. We especially love escaping the cold and try to visit the Caribbean at least once a year. Our most recent trip was to Curacao—a charming little island near South America—and we had an amazing time! We’re already looking forward to our next adventure.
Tell us something interesting, unique, or unusual about your family. When does your family feel the most connected? My husband and I were both born in Bosnia and immigrated to the United States in the early 2000s. We last visited Bosnia in 2023 with our daughter, just before our son was born, and we’re really looking forward to returning soon as a family of four. For us, the strongest connections come from simple, everyday moments— sharing a homemade meal and chatting about our day, playing games with the kids, or going out for ice cream or a walk. Being together and fully present means everything to us, and we appreciate these simple joys now more than ever.
What is your profession? I am a Product Manager at a major insurance company
and my husband is a Supplier Management Analyst for industrial supplies.
Describe your perfect day in Arlington Heights as a family. Our perfect day is a stroll to downtown Arlington Heights for lunch or an early dinner, followed by grabbing ice cream and watching the kids play on the grassy area by the fountain. Downtown Arlington Heights feels so charming and peaceful—we truly love spending time there!
Favorite Arlington Heights Restaurant? We love both Passero and Mago!
Favorite Arlington Heights Park? We love spending time at Lake Arlington. It has a great playground where the kids can have fun, plus a scenic walking track with beautiful views all around.
Favorite Arlington Heights historic spot? Our favorite historic spot is the Arlington Heights Library! We visit often with the kids—from story time and play groups to exploring the amazing selection of books and toys. It’s truly a wonderful community resource that we love.
Drost Kivlahan McMahon & O’Connor LLC
LOCAL EVENTS
Friday, September 5
7:30pm - 9:30pm
St. Viator Football Home Game vs. Kenwood
St. Viator High School, 1213 E Oakton Street. www.saintviator.com
Saturday, September 6 - Saturday, October 11
8:00am -12:00pm
Arlington Heights Farmers Market 110 W. Fremont Street
Every Saturday thru October. www. arlingtonheightsfarmersmarket.org
Friday, September 12
7:30pm - 9:30pm
St. Viator Football Home Game vs. Marmion
St. Viator High School, 1213 E Oakton Street. www.saintviator.com
Friday, September 19
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Prospect High School Varsity Football Home Game vs. Maine West Prospect High School, 801 West Kensington Road Mount Prospect www.prospectfootball.com
Friday, September 19
7:30pm - 9:30pm
St. Viator Football Home Game vs. Benet Academy
St. Viator High School, 1213 E Oakton Street. www.saintviator.com
Saturday, September 20
9:00am -12:00pm Oktoberfest
Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W Fremont Street
Celebrate Arlington Heights’ German heritage with German food, traditional Bavarian performances and live music. https://www.ahpd.org/event/ oktoberfest-2/
September 20th
9:00am - 12:00pm
Forza Chiropractic’s Lala’s WingsWomen’s Wellness Event 1401 S. Arlington Heights Road, Suite 2 Join Forza Chiropractic for their annual Women’s Wellness Event This relaxing and empowering experience to help you recharge, reconnect, and take care of your whole self. www.forzachiropractic.com
Friday, September 26
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Cheers To A Century –Speakeasy Night
Arlington Heights Historical Museum, 110 W Fremont Street
Step back in time to the Roaring Twenties at this Speakeasy Night! www.ahpd.org
Sunday, September 28
1:00pm - 4:00pm
Family Forward - Giving Hope: Home for the Harvest Cotillion Banquets, 360 S. Creekside Dr., Palatine
Bring your friends for a festive fall gathering to celebrate and support their mission to strengthen local low-income, working families in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. www.family-forward.org/news-events
Monday, September 29
Arlington Alfresco Ends September 29th
SAVE THE DATE! Harmony Fest
Featuring the Taste of Arlington Heights October 3rd & October 4th
Harmony Park
7 S. Vail Ave.
Join the Village of Arlington Heights and the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce for the Village’s 3rd Annual Harmony Fest, featuring the Taste of Arlington Heights. www. vah.com
By the year 1906, the historic Klehms Family had apple and pear orchards and Moline elms on 147 acres of the modern day Scarsdale.
School you attend and grade you’re in? Prospect High School and I am a Sophomore.
What sport do you play? Football. I have been playing football for about nine/ten years.
What inspired you to start playing football? I really loved watching it with my dad growing up. He always tried to get me to play and tried to coach whenever he could.
What position do you play? I am a quarterback.
Do you have any personal goals for this season? My main goal is to have a successful season and win. I also want to really build good relationships with my teammates and get better as a player.
What are your goals moving forward as you continue your football career? I would like to start on Varsity senior year and hopefully lead the team to playoffs.
Who is your favorite athlete and what is your favorite football team? Caleb Williams and my favorite team is The Bears!
What is the biggest lesson that football has taught you? One of the biggest things football has taught me is how to be a good leader and teammate. I’ve also learned the importance of hard work and discipline.
What has been your biggest challenge on the field? Making the right decisions for every play.
When you’re not playing football, what do you like to do? I like playing baseball and hanging out with my friends and family.
What advice would you give to a younger football player just starting out? Make the most out of every opportunity and give 110% all of the time because you never want to finish knowing you could have given more.
Are you an athlete or would you like to nominate an athlete? Scan QR Code to submit!
AROUND TOWN
The Fire Department participated in Frontier Days by hosting their annual water fights!
Friends and neighbors enjoying Frontier Days.
A picture-perfect evening of community and connection at National Night Out.
Crowds cheered as the Arlington Heights Police Department showed off their skills - one of the many highlights of National Night Out.
Congrats to the newest Arlington Heights Fire Department Firefighters: Katy LaCivita, Duke Larkin, John Lawler, Zane McCartney, and Matthew Wasilczuk.
Congratulations to Arlington Heights Police Department’s Detective Jeffrey Fontana (pictured second here) on his promotion to Sergeant.
Family fun at Frontier Days. Enjoying a beautiful evening at the Sounds of Summer concert.
“Yoga in the Park” at Arlington Heights Historical Museum.
Sounds of Summer concerts bring residents together!
Gluten free Strawberry/ Rhubarb Crumble
BY RESIDENT ELAINE SCHRECK
This recipe came to me from our great friend, Lauren, who knew we were looking to use up rhubarb and try more gluten free recipes! I love being able to incorporate ingredients from my family’s farm. I hope you enjoy it as much as our family does.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 4 cups thinly sliced & diced rhubarb
• 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
TOPPING:
• 1 cup gluten free flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1/2 cup salted butter
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Spray a glass or ceramic 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray or coat lightly with butter.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch.
Share your favorite recipe! Scan QR Code to submit!
3. Add the sliced strawberries and rhubarb and stir together with a spatula until fruit is all coated with sugar mixture.
4. Spread the fruit mixture into the 9x13 baking dish.
5. Measure the gluten-free flour, brown sugar, butter and oats into a medium sized bowl. Use a pastry blender to mix together until butter pieces are pea-sized. (You can also do this step in a food processor: pulse together the flour, brown sugar and butter until butter is in pea-sized pieces, then add the oats and pulse until just mixed.)
6. Crumble oat mixture on top of the fruit mixture.
7. Bake 45-50 minutes in a 375° oven, or until lightly browned and crisp.
MEET MOCHA THE SCHNOODLE
BY RESIDENTS MOCHA (MARTA) BRAUNSTEIN
Don’t let the adorable face fool you — Mocha is as spunky as they come. This poodle-schnauzer mix may be small in size, but she’s big on personality (and volume).
Family members: Marta & Mike.
Street you live on: Sigwalt.
Is Mocha an angel or a bit of a troublemaker? She’s an angel baby, however very protective of her mom so she can be a little loud and mischievous at times. Very in-line with her schnauzer DNA.
Does she have any specific talents or tricks? She loves to sit, lay, high five and more! She learns quickly and will do anything for a treat.
Is there anything other neighbors would know Mocha for? Definitely not the quiet one in the neighborhood. You’ll hear us when walking around.
How did you meet Mocha? Mocha came into my life in the most unexpected and perfect way. She was part of an “oopsie” litter from someone I knew, and the timing couldn’t have been better.
Has Mocha ever run away or gotten into trouble? Mocha has always had a wild streak. The second something rustles: a squirrel, a bunny, a leaf blowing the wrong way, her instincts kick in and she’s gone. Not out of fear, but pure excitement. She doesn’t want to hurt anything; she just wants to chase, play, and prove she’s faster.
What are her personality traits? Spunky, free spirited, intelligent, funny and fiercely loyal.
What is her favorite Arlington Heights park? Harmony Park.
What is her pet peeve? Getting too close to mom, having her face or paws touched and the groomers!
Share your Precious Pet! Scan QR Code to submit!
Since 1982, the Erdmann name has been synonymous with quality, craftsmanship, and community. What began as a whole-home construction and remodeling business has evolved into Erdmann Outdoor Living - a thriving, award-winning family business dedicated to transforming outdoor spaces into stunning, functional extensions of the home.
At the helm are Becca and Kyle Erdmann, second-generation owners who are not only partners in business but also in life. Both lifelong locals— Becca grew up near Heritage Park and attended Dryden, South, and Rolling Meadows High School, while Kyle was raised one town over and is also a Rolling Meadows alum; they knew early on that Arlington Heights would be the perfect place to plant roots. Today, they live on Evergreen, just south of downtown, where they enjoy everything the vibrant community has to offer, especially Alfresco evenings downtown with their two energetic boys, Cooper (5) and Austin (4).
ERDMANN OUTDOOR LIVING
Transforming Backyards, Building Memories
DENNIS POREBSKI, WRITER/EDITOR
Their passion for design and the outdoors led them to a turning point in 2021. What started as a side project - launching a dedicated outdoor living division - quickly blossomed into a fullscale business with its own identity. Erdmann Outdoor Living was born, offering custom backyard remodels that combine timeless elegance with modern functionality.
“We realized we loved helping families create spaces where they could make lasting memories. The backyard isn’t just an addition to the home - it’s an extension of how people live, gather, and connect,” Kyle shares.
Customization is at the core of everything Erdmann Outdoor Living does. From screened-in porches to elegant decks, patios, and fully outfitted outdoor
The Erdmann Family
kitchens and dining spaces, every project is a tailored experience. One of their most sought-after installations is the Struxure Louvered Roof Pergola, a smart, stylish way to enhance time spent outdoors, rain or shine. Their excellence in design and execution has earned them five international design awards and the exclusive Struxure Partner Company designation in the Chicago market, underscoring their commitment to innovation and quality.
A major part of what sets the business apart is its design-first philosophy. With three professional designers on staff, every client is treated to a full 3D, color rendering of their space before any work begins. This not only ensures clarity but also helps clients envision how the new addition will feel and function in daily life. The team limits its product lines to only top-tier options, and their deep understanding of material quality and flow ensures each outdoor space is as practical as it is beautiful.
“Before starting any project, we ask families how they plan to use their space,” Becca explains. “It’s about more than just aesthetics. We want it to feel cozy for everyday life but large enough to host family and friends comfortably.”
Their approach has built a loyal following. One longtime client shared this glowing testimonial:
Beyond beautiful builds, the Erdmanns are deeply committed to their local community. Their company is a proud member of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, where they were a 2023 finalist for Business of the Year. They are consistent supporters
of Harmony Fest, Frontier Days, the Arlington Heights Farmers Market, and various Chamberled events. They’re also the principal sponsor of the ESCO Golf Outing and active contributors to Family Forward Charity.
“Giving back is a core value for us,” Kyle says. “We’re not just building backyards - we’re building relationships and investing in the community that’s supported us for decades.”
At the heart of Erdmann Outdoor Living is family— both in business and in purpose. Becca and Kyle know that a well-designed backyard can become a family’s favorite gathering place, and they consider it an honor to help create those moments.
Reach out to Becca and Kyle for a personalized consultation and experience firsthand what sets Erdmann Outdoor Living apart.
So, if you’re a homeowner dreaming of that perfect outdoor escape, whether for quiet coffee mornings, energetic kids’ playdates, or unforgettable summer nights with friends. Erdmann Outdoor Living is ready to bring your vision to life with passion, precision, and a personal touch.
