HoHoKus December 2025

Ho-Ho-Kus

GIVING BACK SYDNEY HOGUE ON TRAINING GUIDE DOGS SHOP LOCAL! HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST

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FEATURES

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Photograph by Adam Paray. 6 18 12 28

Good Tidings They Bring

For its 51st year, a caroling quartet, including Ho-Ho-Kus couple Carol and George Dakes, will spread holiday cheer through song in their borough neighborhood.

18 Training to Change Lives

Ho-Ho-Kus native Sydney Hogue has found meaning as a volunteer with Guiding Eyes for the Blind, preparing pups to become guide dogs for the visually impaired.

22 Shop Local This Holiday Season

Take a look at our curated selection of locally-sourced gifts for everyone in your life.

IN THIS ISSUE

4 EDITOR’S NOTE Happy Holidays, Ho-Ho-Kus!

6 AROUND TOWN What’s New

12 LOCAL TASTES

A Simple Joy, Perfected Daily

26 HIGHLANDS HAPPENINGS Holidays at Highlands

28 PEOPLE WE KNOW Annual Pink Out

30 BOOK NOOK Holiday Cookbooks

32 PHOTO OP Cutest Pumpkins in the Patch

COVER

Carol and George Dakes with Christine and Patrick Finley.

hHAPPY HOLIDAYS, HO-HO-KUS!

As a borough native, December in HoHo-Kus always makes me think of beloved traditions that still exist today. Like the tree lighting, where we’d sip hot chocolate served up by the Fire Department, awaiting the countdown to the main event followed by Santa’s arrival; festive decorations that adorn the quaint downtown; and yet another chance to meet the Big Guy, when he’d ride around on a blaring firetruck, doling out candy canes.

At this special time when we gather to connect with family and friends, it’s heartwarming to think about what small things make the holidays our own and consider ways we can spread joy beyond our beautiful borough.

In this issue, we celebrate the 50th year of a time-honored tradition in town. Residents Carol and George Dakes, along with Teaneckbased pals Christine and Patrick Finley, are getting ready to dust off their Santa hats and songbooks to carol around the Cheelcroft neighborhood.

It was at a fateful Halloween party in 1974, of all places, that Carol and George met and discovered they shared a love for music and singing. The following year they decided to take their show on the road. They reflect on caroling for generations of neighbors,

sometimes alongside their kids and now grandkids, but mostly as a steadfast quartet that simply enjoys being together and sharing the gift of song and old-time cheer.

The holidays are as good a time as any to use our time, talents, and means to help uplift others. And Sydney Hogue, a Ho-Ho-Kus native and junior at Ithaca College, has found a way to incorporate her love of dogs into doing so by becoming a trainer for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a nonprofit that helps match qualified canines with the visually impaired.

The busy double major has spent the past year with Yellsea, a loving lab, helping prepare her to potentially become a guide dog for someone in need. Hogue knows it will be tough to say goodbye to Yellsea when the time comes, but the idea that she has played a part in drastically improving someone’s life and accessibility is more than worth any heartache.

Speaking of helping others, Ho-Ho-Kus Bagels returns after a devastating apartment fire above their shop forced them to close temporarily last year. Owners and married couple Edwin Serrano and Yaritza Benitez say the community came through to help them weather the hard time; loyal customers are delighted to welcome them back. Lastly, we’re hoping our Gift Guide helps you think outside the (big-box store) box this season. These local shops and vendors have some fun and unique gifts to consider. Besides being able to grab them right here in town, you’ll be supporting small businesses. A win-win!

I wish you a truly joyful holiday season. As always, thank you for reading. I look forward to connecting with you all in 2026!

Sarah Nolan Editor editor@hohokusmagazine.com

Ho-Ho-Kus MAGAZINE

Editor

Sarah Nolan

Writers

Sarah Nolan

Laney McCrossin

Wendy Lees

Photographers

Joe Nolan

Adam Paray

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO

Mark Dowden

SVP, Group Publisher

Thomas Flannery

VP, Content Strategy

Maria Regan

Creative Director

Kijoo Kim

Art Director

Rosemary O’Connell

Executive Editor

Elaine Paoloni Quilici

Associate Editor

Sophia Carlisle

Advertising Services Director

Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director

Catherine Rosario

Production Designer

Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager

Fern Meshulam

Advertising Production Associate

Griff Dowden

Ho-Ho-Kus Magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Ho-Ho-Kus, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

Holidays in Ho-Ho-Kus

From a curated marketplace to various tree lightings and festive shows, enjoy this special season right here at home.

THE MARKETPLACE AT THE HERMITAGE

Step into a world of wonder and holiday cheer at our Holiday Marketplace Gift Shop, your go-to destination for unforgettable shopping. Featuring a curated collection of handpicked and handmade treasures, the shop promises something magical for everyone on your list.

Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends (closed Mondays).

Discover unique creations from talented local artisans and beloved brands. Find the perfect present and discover one-of-a-kind items you won’t find anywhere else. As an added bonus, you’ll be supporting local artisans; every purchase helps uplift small businesses and craftspeople in our community. There’s no admission fee to shop.

TODDLER & ME PROGRAM

Please join the Ho-Ho-Kus/Waldwick Cooperative Nursery School this spring for our Toddler & Me Program! Toddler & Me is an interactive and nurturing program designed for children age 18 months to 2.5 years old. The class features various components, including music and instruments, play and craft stations, snack and circle time. Students will have an opportunity to work on socialization, fine and gross motor skills, sensory exploration, and school routines. The program runs every Thursday from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. for a 12week session beginning on Feb. 12, 2026 onwards. To learn more, please contact registrar@hohokuswaldwickcoop.com.

BOROUGH HOLIDAY LIGHTING EVENT

Get in the holiday spirit at this year’s annual event, to be held Friday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. in front of Borough Hall. The Christmas tree and dreidel will be lit. Join friends and neighbors for merriment, light refreshments, and perhaps a special visit from a certain jolly old elf.

CREATING A WATER GARDEN

Have you always appreciated water gardens in other people’s yards, but never knew how to get started? Then this presentation is for you! Water garden expert and Ho-Ho-Kus native Al Salerno will discuss how to choose the correct location and design for a variety of spaces and design choices. Koi fish and water plant care advice will also be discussed. This event will be held Monday, Jan. 26 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Sycamore Community Church. For more information, visit www.hohokusgardenclub.com.

CANDLELIGHT HOLIDAY TOURS: A GILDED AGE IMMERSION

Step into the shimmering elegance of the Gilded Age this holiday season at the Hermitage! Our beloved Candlelight Holiday Tours return with a dazzling twist—each room will be transformed to reflect a unique theme, inspired by the opulence and innovation of this extraordinary era. Celebrate the season while supporting a local historic landmark. Tours will be held Dec. 12, 14, 19, and 21. Tickets are $25 each and are available at www.thehermitage.org/ events. Please note: Tours include walking and stairs and are dimly lit for atmosphere.

HERMITAGE TREE LIGHTING

Kick off the holiday season with us at the Hermitage Museum’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 4:30 p.m. Gather with family and friends for an enchanting evening filled with holiday spirit and cheer. Enjoy festive music, hot cocoa, and sweet treats as we illuminate our magnificent holiday trees. Admission is free.

“DICKENS PRESENTS A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

In First Flight Theatre Company’s lively musical production of “Dickens Presents A Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens and his family come to the Hermitage to stage of performance of his beloved tale. This charming musical adaptation was originally written and staged at the Hermitage in its early years and ran for several holiday seasons. Charles Dickens plays the narrator and the spirits of Christmas Past and Present, and he is joined by his daughters, sons, nieces, and nephews who play the rest of the roles. This fun, interactive interpretation promises to be a fantastic addition to your family’s holiday tradition. Shows will be on Dec. 13, 14, 20 and 21: Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $35 and available at www.thehermitage.org/events.

SEEKING TEACHER AIDES

The Ho-Ho-Kus/Waldwick Cooperative Nursery School is currently seeking regular and substitute teacher aides for the 2025 to 2026 school year! They are looking for aides that are available for a few hours or more each week. The Ho-Ho-Kus/ Waldwick Cooperative Nursery School is a nonprofit preschool located in Ho-Ho-Kus.

Candidates should be energetic, flexible and ready to make a difference in the lives of our young children and their families.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact director@hohokuswaldwickcoop.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Rebecca Bleich is a graduate of Ramapo College, where she majored in journalism and writing. She writes articles on news, arts, sports, and viewpoints.

Beat the Winter Doldrums

How to keep your kids (and yourself) from going stir crazy over holiday break.

BY KRISTINA FILLER

WINTER BREAK CAN be a lovely time filled with memory-making experiences if you’re visiting friends and family or traveling to beautiful places. Then there are those other winter breaks—the ones where you’re stuck inside, plans get postponed, antibiotics are allocated, and you’re one “I’m bored!” away from binge-eating a pile of cut-out cookies in the closet. You try to busy everyone without letting your house turn into a scene from “The Shining.” We’ve all been there! Whether you have older kids, younger kids or your name is Jack Torrance, here are a few ideas for how to stay entertained in and around Ho-Ho-Kus this upcoming winter break.

FAMILY YOGA

Ho-Ho-Kus Yoga offers a kid-friendly yoga class on Friday evenings. If you have the plague and can’t make it into the studio, they offer a zoom attendance option. It’s filled with yoga games, songs, stories, and imaginative play that engages the students and guides them to a mindful, happy, and peaceful attitude! Visit www.hohokusyoga.com to sign up.

MAKE SPRING ROLLS

Don’t adjust your glasses; you read that right. You’re probably too busy to make complicated foods most of the time, but winter break is a festive twilight zone where time has no meaning, so go big or go home. Minimalist Baker has a recipe for Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Crispy Tofu that I (mostly) successfully made with my 4-year-old. They were messy but delicious, and my kids loved getting to eat (and manhandle) the ingredients.

The recipe can be found at www. minimalistbaker.com/vietnamesespring-rolls-with-crispy-tofu.

RIDE THE TRAIN

Ho-Ho-Kus has accessible public transportation that is great for entertaining kids. Whether they’re along for the “choo choos!” or the adventure, they’ll be more-or-less confined to a seat for a glorious half an hour, if you go all the way to Hoboken. One stop to downtown Ridgewood will drop you by Black Magic Bakehouse, or three stops to Ramsey on a Sunday morning will take you right to their year-round farmer’s market. If your kids are younger, play “I Spy.” If they’re older, let them practice navigating and trip planning. If you get lost, it’s OK because remember: winter break time has no meaning. Bon voyage!

PLAY TATTOO SHOP

Have you always wanted a face tattoo but just couldn’t commit? Today’s your lucky day! Gather up your kids’ stash of temporary tattoos or fetch the magic markers and play tattoo shop. If you’re stuck in the house or wearing sweaters in the cold, you won’t have to worry about what the kids put on you, so go nuts. Look guys, it’s either this or watching “K-Pop Demon Hunters” for the 900th time, so pick your poison. Just make double sure they’re not permanent markers. Winter break’s long, but it’s not that long.

LEARN HOW TO PLAY MAHJONG

All the cool kids are playing Mahjong. Why? I’m not cool, so I have no idea, but they are! Watch a mahjong tutorial on YouTube or visit Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library’s Event page to find out when their next session of lessons starts. While you’re at it, teach your other friends (like me, please) some of the lingo so they can be cool too, or at least less confused.

SLEEPOVERS

Mix up your week off with a sleepover. Make a special treat like

homemade popcorn and let the kids pillow fight like it’s their job (hopefully they’ll sleep well after—dare to dream!). If you’ve caught the plague and you’re too sick to mingle with other families, set up your sleeping bags or travel mattresses in a different room than usual. Sure, you might get kicked in the side all night, but as long as you’re not kicked in the head, you’ll be fine.

BORROW A DOG

Your children asked for a dog for Christmas but Santa “forgot again.” You may be in luck, because some of your neighbors are likely traveling over the holidays and will be looking for pet

sitters. Ask around and see if you can house them. With the owner’s permission, have your kids make the pet homemade treats. If they make any errors in baking, the dog probably won’t complain.

LOCAL PEN PALS

Write letters or make drawings for friends and then go for a walk around the neighborhood to hand deliver the letters to their mailboxes. If you want to elongate this activity, have the kids hand-copy your spring roll recipe because “the printer’s broken” while you pour yourself a glass of wine. Correspondence really is a lost art (wink).

Filler is a Ho-Ho-Kus mom and artist, locally known for her mural in Bergen Coffee Roasters.

A Simple Joy, Perfected Daily

Longtime employeeturned owner of Ho-HoKus Bagels is happy to be back in the kitchen following a building fire that forced the shop to close for months.

BY SARAH NOLAN

FOR MORE THAN a decade, Edwin Serrano worked under several different owners in the kitchen at Ho-Ho-Kus Bagels, preparing fresh, hand-rolled bagels daily and creating sandwiches that kept customers coming back for more.

Now, though he still prefers to be in the kitchen, he does so as the owner of the shop, alongside his wife Yaritza Benitez.

Benitez says the pair had taken a brief break from their time at the store to work next-door at a ramen restaurant (one prior to the opening of Tojo’s Restaurant) when the

opportunity to buy the bagel shop arose.

With their experience, recipes and a friendly disposition that draws patrons in, whether cooking bagels or ramen, they were excited for the opportunity to call the store their own.

“We knew we could get customers in the door; they come for his cooking,” Benitez says.

It was 2019 when they took ownership of Ho-Ho-Kus Bagels. As luck would have it, shortly after, the apartment upstairs became available to rent. The couple was expecting their first baby and found the situation ideal.

Opposite: Ho-Ho-Kus Bagels is located at 7 N. Franklin Turnpike.

Yaritza Benitez and Edwin Serrano, owners of Ho-Ho-Kus Bagels.

This page: Serrano bakes the bagels after boiling them.

Little did they know that a few hardships were on the way. First came the pandemic, forcing them to close for a period of time. Then last fall, a fire broke out in the neighboring apartment in their building.

Thankfully, no one was home at the time, but they had to move out and close the store for 10 months.

“It was a lot: I was pregnant with our third baby at the time,” Benitez says. “We had two small kids, a dog.”

The pair says Ho-Ho-Kus residents and customers were incredibly supportive during the difficult time.

“They wanted to support us after the fire: The community really came through,” Benitez says. “People donated clothes, shoes, toys, and set up a GoFundMe. It was a big help.”

And now that the shop has reopened, loyal customers have returned for the bagels that are hand-rolled and fresh each day.

Serrano says he combines the ingredients for dough in a large mixer in the back, kneads the bagels, then lets them proof on a rack where they rise a little and are stored in a walk-in refrigerator. The next morning, he comes in and boils and then bakes them.

Benitez says aside from bagels, customers love their tuna salad and grilled chicken sandwiches. But a crowd favorite? Bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel, of course. “It’s a classic,” she says.

Visit the shop’s Instagram page @hhkbagels.

Good Tidings They Bring

For its 51st year, a caroling quartet, including Ho-HoKus couple Carol and George Dakes, will spread holiday cheer through song in their borough neighborhood.

BY SARAH NOLAN

IIT WAS AT A HALLOWEEN party, of all places, that a beloved Christmas tradition, not to mention a love story, began in 1974.

Carol and George Dakes, married 46 years, met at the bash through mutual friend Christine Finley and her husband at the time, Phil. The music-loving group quickly realized that they had a coveted “SATB” among them: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. They had to sing something!

And since the only thing they all knew by heart were Christmas carols, that’s what they sang.

“George and Phil said, ‘Hey, we sound pretty good, we should take this out on the road!’” Carol says. And so, they did.

The following year, the group hit the streets of Teaneck, New Jersey, where Christine lived (and still does). Soon after, they brought their talents to the Cheelcroft neighborhood of Ho-Ho-Kus, which the Dakes have called home for more than 40 years.

Neighbors await the tradition that occurs on the Sunday before Christmas each year, welcoming the carolers with warm foyers and cookies.

“Our neighbor’s daughter once said, ‘Mommy, it sounds like the radio is turned on,’” George says. “That’s one of the best compliments we ever got.”

The longtime caroling group has been featured in local newspapers, including Town Journal and The Record.

SINGING THROUGH GENERATIONS

The carolers each say they grew up with an affinity for singing and music in general, performing in various church and school choirs and musicals as children then young adults before finding each other.

The foursome knew they had something good, so when Christine announced she was divorcing Phil, George and Carol secretly thought: “She has to find another tenor.”

When Christine called the couple to say she met someone, George blurted out: “Is he a tenor?” Carol followed up with: “Is it a good tenor?”

In fact, he was. Patrick Finley, now Christine’s husband, has a PhD in composition and conducted various high school choirs throughout his career, including the small (Park Ridge High School) and very large and esteemed (Bergen County Academies). It’s dumb luck that his voice falls in the tenor range.

When he met Christine, he was her kids’ piano teacher. Needless to say, he wasn’t too broken up to

hear about her divorce. Patrick fit right in when he joined the caroling group in 1986.

“When I started with the group, I remember coming through the door of one home and these twins came down in their onesies to listen,” Patrick says. “Years later, those two children were there with their husbands and children, and we sang to their children.”

Patrick says at another home, one of his former Park Ridge students answered the door. They sang to her, her husband, and her children.

“Neat things like that happen,” Patrick says.

Carol says the merriment they bring is why they do it, year after year, whether the temperature is 4 degrees or 70 (both of which they’ve sang in).

Grandparents will often comment that it brings back memories from their childhood, Carol says. One year, a neighbor even hosted a party so that a larger crowd could enjoy the music.

“The fact that it’s such an oldworld tradition is part of what

attracts us to caroling and why people enjoy it,” Patrick says. “They did this in 1860. People join us and sing with enthusiasm.”

The quartet says from time to time, their kids have come caroling with them. Carol recalls her son Mark tagging along, but he only made it as far as a neighbor’s home that would always supply cookies to the carolers. He’d head home with the tin after, and the cookies would be gone by the time the group made it home.

Now, they occasionally get the chance to share the joyous evening with their grandkids.

The group generally sticks to their quaint neighborhood but will sometimes sing for people associated with Sycamore Community Church (formerly the Community Church, where they were members and choir

participants/conductors for many years before joining Old Paramus Reformed Church in Ridgewood).

George says despite being auctioned off by the church and invited to sing for pay at parties, the quartet “retains its amateur status” and purely performs for the love of it.

One year, they were auctioned off by the Community Church and sang in front of Carlo Russo’s Wine & Spirit World in downtown HoHo-Kus, providing patrons with a festive shopping experience. Another time, they performed at a resident’s Christmas party and gave their earnings to the church.

The group says hymns and Christmas carols are standardly written in four parts, and they generally sing all the classics a cappella (“First Noel,” “We Wish You a Merry

Christmas,” etc.), performing for around an hour and half (many times stopping to visit with friends and neighbors).

What’s one song they don’t like? “In the Bleak Midwinter.”

“I love it, but everyone else hates it,” George says.

“It’s actually a beautiful song, but we all go flat; it’s very hard to sing,” Carol retorts.

Among a talented group that’s performed in some renowned places, like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the PNC Arts Center, there’s just something about the streets of Ho-HoKus at Christmastime and performing with dear friends and loved ones that’s special.

“It’s nostalgic; we truly enjoy it and think of it as a gift that we can give to our neighbors,” George says.

Training to Change Lives

Ho-Ho-Kus native Sydney Hogue has found meaning as a volunteer with Guiding Eyes for the Blind, preparing pups to become guide dogs for the visually impaired.

BY SARAH NOLAN

YYELLSEA, AN 18-MONTH-old yellow lab, has spent more than a year by Ho-Ho-Kus native and Ithaca College junior Sydney Hogue’s side.

The pair go everywhere together: from the seemingly mundane, like the grocery store and classes during Hogue’s busy days as a double major in theater production and design/stage management, to the exciting: Disney World, Six Flags Great Adventure, hikes in and around “gorges” Ithaca and the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York.

No matter the environment, Hogue has one job: to raise, train, and socialize Yellsea so she’s prepared for her potential calling as a guide dog via Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a nonprofit organization that strives to connect exceptional dogs with visually impaired individuals to allow for greater independence.

Still, Hogue (and Yellsea, for that matter) couldn’t help but fall in love along the way.

One afternoon in the library of Hogue’s Ho-Ho-Kus home, the pair’s trust and connection is clear, as Yellsea looks to her trainer for guidance. The pup’s playful nature shines through as she greets a stranger (me). Hogue explains that she’s “off duty” and free to be a bit eager.

But if she were out and about and wearing her vest, she would understand that she was working and expected to be professional. At the time of our meeting, Yellsea was only about a month out from her training test, meaning she and Hogue would soon part ways.

“She’s 100% ready; she’s such a good dog,” Hogue says. “I have bonded with her for sure, but I did sign up for this knowing I wasn’t going to get to keep her and knowing she would change someone’s life one day as a guide dog. While yes, it will be hard, she will always have a special place in my heart, and I can look forward to the opportunity to raise another dog.”

As of this writing, Hogue is pleased to say that she was right: Yellsea passed her test and is now on breed evaluation to see if she is a good fit to be a brood and have litters of more future guide dogs. If not, she will move on to harness training as the next step in her path to changing someone’s life.

And while parting was bittersweet, Hogue didn’t have too much time to wallow; she went home that day with a new puppy to train: 12-week-old Venice.

A VOLUNTEER-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, based in Yorktown Heights, New York. has a club on Ithaca College’s campus, which is how Hogue initially got involved. She saw their table at an organization fair and was immediately drawn to it. The canine-lover says she grew up with dogs and hardly remembers her home without a pup in it.

She started as a general body member and would attend events to help support the organization. Her stellar

attendance earned her an invitation to become certified as a dog trainer. She jumped at the chance and started off as a sitter (watching dogs for trainers when needed) before getting Yellsea in August of 2024 when she was 11 weeks old and just 19 pounds (the dog now weighs in at 62 pounds).

Steph Serra, Guiding Eyes region coordinator for northern New Jersey, says during puppy sitting, Hogue got loads of experience with male and female dogs, labs and German shepherds (the two types of dogs Guiding Eyes works with), which fueled her desire to become a puppy raiser.

“Sydney is patient, gentle, and fair in her raising, which are all fantastic qualities to have in puppy raising,” Serra says. “As long as somebody is passionate and willing to volunteer, whether that looks like being a puppy sitter or raiser, Guiding Eyes welcomes them!”

Though raising a dog might seem like a lot of responsibility for a college student, Hogue says the environment and lifestyle is actually ideal for

training. Campuses are generally walkable communities where dogs will have the opportunity to be exposed to many different types of places, people, and other dogs (offering both the chance to practice dog distraction and have built in playmates).

Hogue says a trainer’s biggest jobs are teaching pups house manners (i.e. no counter surfing, eating from the trash or drinking from the toilet) and socialization (hence the exposure to all kinds of people, animals, places, and sounds).

Since 1954, Guiding Eyes has thrived on the goodness of its local base of generous supporters, passionate staff and dedicated volunteers to meet the growing needs of the diverse community of people with vision loss.

“We believe in the powerful,

meaningful change that our beautiful dogs bring to the lives of people facing the daily challenges that blindness and vision loss present,” the Guiding Eyes website says.

The nonprofit’s services are offered completely free of charge to those in need—a huge feat considering it can cost up to $50,000 annually to train and care for a guide dog throughout its working lifetime with a person who is blind, according to Guiding Eyes.

The organization has graduated more than 10,000 guide dog teams and says more than 2,000 volunteers, from Maine to North Carolia and west to Colorado, are vital to their mission.

A unique, relationship-based approach has trainers teach puppies essential skills in sequential steps.

“A trust-filled relationship develops

when we are able to recognize our dog’s needs, respond in a way that helps them and do these things consistently,” the Guiding Eyes website says. “Puppies thrive in this type of relationship, building confidence to explore and enjoy learning.”

Hogue says she and Yellsea started their journey by taking a weekly fundamentals class with all the other puppy/trainer teams in their region, where she learned the basics like how to form a relationship with your dog and how to start socializing them. This is when forging that connection is key, Hogue says, and when Yellsea learned to “check in” with her to see if she needs anything.

Once they graduated, they moved to bi-weekly “big dog” classes, where they continued to receive support for any issues that might pop up.

Yellsea—whose name Hogue believes is a play on Chelsea, but with a Y since litters are named by letter of the alphabet—is highly food motivated, Hogue quickly learned. Some dogs aren’t and prefer verbal praise, petting, or toys.

Hogue says that most dogs will pass what’s called their In-ForTraining (IFT) test, before moving on to either breed evaluation (for the most part, Guiding Eyes does its breeding in-house at their Canine Development Center) or harness training, where they will be matched with a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor who will train the dog tasks specific to guiding over the course of about four to six months.

While most dogs pass their IFT test, Hogue says, some are released during harness training due to behavioral or medical issues.

“It just means that this career wasn’t right for them,” Hogue says. “Guiding Eyes works with other organizations and usually dogs are considered for other careers. But if they do get released, they will become a cherished pet…and a very well-trained pet.”

Serra says the first two dogs she trained are currently active guides; puppy raising is incredibly important to her, and the community at Guiding Eyes is “like no other,” she says.

“Nothing compares to the feeling of attending your dog’s graduation, meeting their graduate, and seeing just how much they are loved and love their work,” Serra says. “The feeling is indescribable. Although I still cry every time I drop my puppy off for their IFT, seeing them flourish and grow into a working guide dog

makes every tear worthwhile.”

Hogue agrees and adds that in training Yellsea to help a visually impaired person, she’s learned a great deal about disability laws. Educating others on them has been incredibly rewarding, she says.

“It feels amazing knowing I’m going to be a part of changing someone’s life in such a positive way,” Hogue says. “I’ve learned so much about blindness and the struggles that visually impaired people go through and accessibility. Being able to advocate for the visually impaired community is really powerful.”

To learn more about Guiding Eyes for the Blind, visit www.guidingeyes.org or the organization’s Instagram page @guidingeyes.

Shop Local This Holiday Season

Sure, big box and online retailers are convenient, but vendors right in your neighborhood offer unique gifts with the added bonus of supporting small businesses. Here are few we recommend.

MADE WITH LOVE IN HO-HO-KUS

Local small business owners and artisans teamed up to create this special package. Give the gift of what Ho-Ho-Kus has to offer with coffee beans by Bergen Coffee Roasters, a tea towel designed by Kristina Filler Design, a soywax candle by Have a Day Candles, and a snowflake cookie by We Knead the Dough. For sale at Bergen Coffee Roasters, price TBD.

“Moon Child” is the story of a mother sharing her spiritual connection to the moon with her young child. It is a celebration of the mystical healing powers of nature. It was written by Ho-Ho-Kus native Kelly Sheerins. Every illustration was hand cut and crafted by Barclay Sparrow, a Brooklyn based artist who specializes in found paper collage art.

A bedtime meditation for both parent and child, “Moon Child” is a reflection on the importance of finding the places in this world that bring us back to how we were all born to be, wild and free. Email kellysheerins@gmail. com or visit www.kellysheerins.com to order. ($25 with the option to have it autographed/inscribed).

J. MCLAUGHLIN

www.jmclaughlin.com

@jmclaughlin

21 Sheridan Ave.

Founded in 1977 by brothers Kevin and Jay McLaughlin, J. McLaughlin prides itself on creating effortless styles with a modern twist. Thoughtfully designed with impeccable craftmanship, original colors and prints, and innovative fabrics, the brand offers clothing with a legacy of style and spirit of connection. This season, the Ho-Ho-Kus location suggests many fine gifts, including this festive Barrett emerald green sequin shirt ($228). The buttondown steals the show with its sparkly finish and satin contrast details that make it a polished way to shimmer from desk to dinner. Throw the Andie faux fur cape ($348) over top to complete your holiday look. This statement layer takes stylish comfort to the next level and looks downright luxe.

KATIE DIAMOND JEWELRY

www.katiediamondjewelry.com

@katiediamondjewelry

570 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood

Right across the border in Ridgewood, Katie Diamond Jewelry’s brick and mortar shop is a woman-owned and operated small business. Its team is eager to assist you with all your shopping needs, from engagement rings and wedding bands to demi-fine jewelry and elevated gifts. Known for its jewelry redesign business, they invite you to schedule an appointment to bring in your gold and diamond family heirlooms. The team will work with you to redesign a new, one-of-a-kind piece of fine jewelry for you to wear forever and tell your jewelry story.

This season, the shop thinks the perfect gift for a loved one would be the Starlight Sky diamond necklace ($3,075), which is Katie Diamond’s version of a delicate statement necklace, it’s perfect for everyday wear and features 19 drilled diamonds that have no setting and float in the center of the 18K gold diamond cut ball chain. Looking for a gift at a lower price point? The Year of the Snake lariat ($88) is an iconic piece with a 1970s vibe. This goldplated piece features a herringbone chain with a pearshaped crystal set into the head of the snake.

SWEATSHIRT & GREETING CARDS

Kristina Filler created these adorable greeting cards ($5) to celebrate Santa’s Ho-Ho-Ho-Kus! This year, she offers an updated version of the sweatshirt along with last year’s design. Message Kristina Filler on Facebook or check Bergen Coffee Roasters for availability.

BAD HAIR DAY HAT

Craft + Theory Salon

www.craftandtheoryhair.com @craftandtheory 22 Sheridan Ave.

Your hair is sure to look gorgeous when you leave Craft + Theory Salon, but for those days when your ‘do may not be looking quite so glamorous, they’re selling this cute hat to cover it up ($10).

THE LITTLE FLOWER SHOPPE

www.thelittleflowershoppe.net

@thelittleflowershoppe

1 Hollywood Ave.

For more than 15 years, The Little Flower Shoppe has offered fresh florals, permanent arrangements and exquisite holiday décor. This hidden gem delivers to Ridgewood, Saddle River, Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Ho-Ho-Kus, and all surrounding Bergen County communities. From its design studio in Ho-Ho-Kus, The Little Flower Shoppe specializes in creative floral design for the tri-state area’s most high-profile events, as well as private events including birthdays, anniversary celebrations, intimate weddings and bar/ bat mitzvahs.

This holiday season, the Shoppe offers beautiful gift options to choose from. Whether adorning your entryway or gracing a dining table, they have hand-crafted organic wreaths (starting at $150); centerpieces (around $125); and living poinsettias with organic evergreens ($100) that command attention on the table. They also combine living poinsettias with organic evergreens in a beautiful container as great option for gift giving.

LITTLE NIKKI’S

@littlenikkis

618 N. Maple Ave.

North Jersey’s premiere boutique for baby and children’s clothing is the spot to shop for little ones in your life. Specializing in custom layette, gift baskets, and christening attire for boys and girls, the shop’s clothing and gift items are sure to be treasured keepsakes. Head to the Maple Avenue location to get adorable, customizable holiday outfits. This holiday season, Little Nikki’s offers this adorable Mud Pie applique Santa sweatshirt ($42), a tartan bow sweatshirt, tutu skirt, and adult pajamas by Angel Dear ($44, $40, and $100); a my first Hanukkah bib ($16), and Mud Pie doodle pads ($24), all of which would make great gifts for little ones in your life! DECEMBER

HOLIDAYS at Highlands

Students reflect on their favorite traditions and the much-needed change of pace the festivities provide.

THE MONTH OF DECEMBER can feel like a slog for many students at Northern Highlands. It’s when seniors finalize college applications and first semester grades are wrapping up. The race to the finish line can be stressful; thankfully, the holidays and upcoming festivities act as a beacon of light, incentivizing students to work hard so they can fully relish the celebrations, not to mention some R&R over winter break.

“I celebrate Christmas with my family,” says Lulu St. Pierre, a junior at Northern Highlands. “This time reminds me how grateful I am for them, something we all share when we say what we’re the most grateful for at Christmas dinner.”

Senior Maggie Burchell says her family comes together to celebrate the holiday through their own cultural traditions. They embark on a journey filled with

BY LANEY MCCROSSIN

food, laughter, and togetherness, as they celebrate the Feast of Seven Fishes. Burchell explains this Catholic-Italian tradition and how her family enjoys it.

“Normally, we go to mass on Christmas Eve before having this dinner,” she says. She notes that it’s more common to go to church before dinner, since it’s so lengthy. “We usually start eating at 4, and end at 10 or 11 p.m.”

The reason the dinner takes so long is because between each course, they have to cook the next one, Burchell says.

“It takes hours to prepare,” she says. “We normally celebrate with my aunt, uncle, cousins, and my grandma here, or if we’re celebrating Christmas in Vermont, we celebrate with our neighbors there. We invite everyone to celebrate this tradition with us, even if they’re not Italian or Catholic. It’s just such a fun experience we want

everyone to be a part of.”

The lengthy nature of the dinner allows Burchell and her family to spend lots of time together, which she believes is bonding and one of the reasons (aside from scallops wrapped in bacon) that she so greatly enjoys this tradition.

“It forces us to spend a lot of time with our family and friends, which I love,” she says.

Winter break culminates on New Years, a day (and night before) which many students spend celebrating with their families and friends.

“New Years is an exciting time,” says St. Pierre. “It marks the end of a successful year and opens the door to a new one.” No matter how students celebrate the holidays, they serve as milestones and breaks in an otherwise busy year and create opportunities to relax surrounded by loved ones.

Laney McCrossin is a senior at Northern Highlands Regional High School. She has lived in Ho-Ho-Kus her whole life and is excited to share high school news and feature stories with the town.

Annual Pink Out

Students came together to raise funds for research during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

HO-HO-KUS PUBLIC School students participated in a Pink Out during October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The district raised more than $400, which was donated to the Englewood Hospital for breast cancer research. Students showed incredible school spirit and compassion during the annual event, according to school leaders. The halls were filled with pink as students and staff came together to support the important cause.

HOLIDAY COOKBOOKS

For festive feasts, tasty treats, and home-bar mixology.

BY WENDY LEES ON BEHALF OF THE WORTH-PINKHAM MEMORIAL LIBRARY

ARE YOU HOSTING Christmas dinner at your house?

Need recipes for the traditional foods of Hanukkah?

Want guidance on how to craft crowd-pleasing holiday spirits? From cocktails to Christmas cookies and brisket to cheese boards, our cookbook collection has everything you’ll need for holiday cooking, baking, and beveragemaking. Check out these five cookbooks for a taste of what’s on our shelves.

BAKING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

by Sarah Kieffer

For seasonal sweets, try:

• Apple, Caramel, and Hard Cider Pie

• Triple Chocolate Peppermint Bark Modern Fruitcake

BOARDS

By Elle Simone Scott

For stylish spreads and snacks, try:

• Poached Shrimp and Cocktail Sauce

• Ultracreamy Hummus

How to Make a Salami Rose

BETTY CROCKER CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK

For Christmas classics, try:

• Baked Ham with Balsamic–Brown Sugar Glaze

• Green Bean and Leek Casserole

• Bourbon–Maple Eggnog

Our cookbook collection is located along the front wall, next to new releases.

BROOKLYN BARTENDER: A MODERN GUIDE TO COCKTAILS AND SPIRITS

By Carey Jones

For fireside cocktails, try:

• Applejack Old-Fashioned

• Brandy Toddy

• Goodnight Moon

JEWISH HOLIDAY COOKING

by Joshua Korn and Scott

Gilden with Kimberly Zerkel

For Festival of Lights fare, try:

• Latkes

• Sufganiyot

• Beef Brisket

Library Events

EVENTS FOR KIDS

Toddler Imaginative Play

Imaginative play fosters creativity and problem solving. Children will enhance their social skills, empathy, and language in our stimulating environment. This is a great opportunity for toddlers to engage with peers and caregivers to connect with each other. Toddler Imaginative Play is held Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to noon and will be held on Dec. 5, 12, and 19 this month.

Story Time

Story time is valuable for the development of early literacy skills, including sound recognition and vocabulary. It also enhances children’s focus, social interaction, communication, and emotional recognition. This month, Story Time is on Monday, Dec. 8 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Each regular story time is followed by a craft or activity. Registration is required. To register, visit www.bit.ly/hhklibraryevent.

LEGO Builders

LEGO Builders is a STEM program that gives children the opportunity to use LEGO bricks to tackle

challenges and make inventive creations. This program aids children in developing problem solving and motor control skills. LEGO Builder is for children ages 8 to 13. This month, the group will meet on Thursday, Dec. 18 from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Registration is recommended. Visit www.bit.ly/hhklibraryevent to register.

Baby Story Time

Story time for babies! The focus will be on developmental skills such as motor control and color and shape recognition. This month, Baby Story Time will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

Sensory Story Time

An inclusive program that includes movement, hands-on participation, and sensory tools to accommodate children with sensory needs and concerns. Enhance your child’s motor skills and social skills in a calm and engaging environment. Suitable for all children over 2 years of age. This month, Sensory Story Time will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 10:30 a.m. Registration is required. Visit www. bit.ly/hhklibraryevent to register.

EVENTS FOR ADULTS

Neighborhood Book Club

A book club for adults who live or work in Allendale or Ho-Ho-Kus. This month, the club will meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17 to discuss “Small Things Like These” by Claire Keegan. The location is TBD. To join, please register at: www.bit. ly/Joinbookclub.

Millennial Book Club

Millennial Book Club, co-sponsored with the Glen Rock Public Library, is geared towards individuals born between 1980 and 1996. We will meet at Worth-Pinkham Memorial Library on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. New members are always welcome! Titles are announced at the end of each meeting. To stay in the loop and find out what we are reading, join our Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ millennialsbookclub.

Holiday Cookie Decorating

Adults will learn how to decorate holiday sugar cookies with royal icing at this event presented by HoHo-Kus resident Nicole Seltmann on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Registration is required and spaces are limited. Visit www.bit.ly/ hhklibraryevent to register.

CUTEST PUMPKINS IN THE PATCH

HO-HO-KUS COMMUNITY Garden founder Allie Lim snapped these photos of residents enjoying the second annual Parent & Me Pumpkin Picking event in the garden this October.

Have a great image for Photo Op?

Submit your high-resolution shot to editor@ hohokusmagazine.com.

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