the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ho-Ho-Kus NJ, in the borough of Ho-Ho-Kus, a cherished Christmas tradition was born from a serendipitous moment at a Halloween party five decades ago.
George and Carol Dakes, now married for 45 years, met at that fateful gathering in 1974. As the evening unfolded, a group began singing Christmas carols because, as Carol put it, “everyone knew the songs.”
“We sounded pretty good, and we didn’t even practice,” she recalled. “So, we thought, why not take this on the road?”
Later that year, the couple joined two friends to carol in their neighborhood. That simple act of holiday cheer sparked a tradition that has lasted nearly 50 years, making the Dakes’ caroling quartet a beloved staple of the Ho-Ho-Kus community.
A Caroling Quartet Through the Years
Since moving to Ho-Ho-Kus from Teaneck over three decades ago, George and Carol, along with their longtime friends Chris and Patrick Finley, have carried on their a cappella tradition. The group performs classic Christmas hymns, family favorites like Jingle Bells, and always ends with We Wish You a Merry Christmas.
“It’s a nice little Christmas gift we give our neighbors each year,” said George.
Patrick Finley, a retired music teacher, is the “newcomer” to the group, joining 28 years ago. His wife, Chris, introduced him to the Dakes after the quartet lost its tenor.
“When she told George and Carol about me, their first question was, ‘Is he a tenor?’” Patrick joked.
A Community Anticipates Their Visit
Every year on the Sunday before Christmas, the carolers don their red Santa hats and head out at sunset, braving all kinds of weather to spread holiday cheer.
Neighbors eagerly await the carolers’ arrival, with one family even timing their annual Christmas party around the performance. The group often receives invitations to step inside for refreshments, warming up by the fire with hot chocolate or freshly baked cookies.
“The delight on their faces is what makes it worth it — and the home-baked cookies don’t hurt either,” said Patrick.
A Multigenerational Celebration
Over the years, the carolers have watched young couples grow older and their children grow into parents themselves. The tradition has now become a multigenerational event, with some of the Dakes’ six grandchildren joining the caroling festivities this year.
“We love singing to the little kids,” George shared. “That’s the most special part — they really enjoy it.”
The Heart of Christmas Spirit
For the Dakes and the Finleys, caroling is more than just singing; it’s about fostering community, sharing joy, and embracing the true spirit of Christmas.
“It puts us in the Christmas spirit,” said Carol, a lifelong choir singer. “We enjoy doing it, and it’s a way to bring neighbors together.”
The tradition has even led to heartwarming surprises, like the year the carolers visited a new family, and the wife recognized Patrick as her former choir teacher from two decades earlier.
“Some of the neighbors have changed over the years, but the joy we bring stays the same,” Patrick reflected.
As the carolers prepare to celebrate their 50th year, their tradition remains a shining example of how simple acts of kindness and music can create lasting memories and strengthen the bonds of community.
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that’s amazing , you don’t see that much anymore
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