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POUND RIDGE, N.Y. – The 2013 edition of "The Little Book of Numbers,” a directory of local residents and businesses in Pound Ridge and Bedford Village, will be in your mailbox any day, thanks to the work of longtime resident Ricky Silbersher.
“My mother and I used to publish 'The Country Shopper,'” she said. “I designed it and did the illustrations; my mom sold the ads. Eventually, we sold it. My mom opened Antiques and Tools of Business and Kitchen in Scotts Corners. I moved to California. But I missed the fun of the publication.”
Then Silbersher recalled the old Pound Ridge phonebook she had as a child. “It was a beautiful little thing, very local,” she said. “So I revived it and for the past 25 years, I’ve been publishing it annually.”
Silbersher compiles local addresses and phone numbers, adds a directory of civic information, designs and illustrates the book, and has it typeset on good paper, with a thick stock cover in a different color from year to year. Her mother, Joan Silbersher, takes orders for ads, all of which Ricky illustrates personally.
It is a painstaking procedure that takes about five months, “but it’s a labor of love,” she said. “I’ll keep at it till I’m a little old lady.”
“So many things in life are rigid and regulated, but this has its own personality and style. It’s doing its own thing,” she said.
Although more residents prefer to have private phone listings these days, others are happy to include their cell numbers as well, so the size of the booklet has remained constant.
Verizon does not share its information, so Silbersher consults local records, such as property transfers, to find out who bought or sold houses or what new businesses have opened in town.
Supporting her in her task have been a number of consistent advertisers through the years: Vogler Brothers, Marshall Oil, Churyk Pump and AC&S Excavating, among others.
“It’s a little later than usual this year,” Silbersher said, “because I’ve been traveling.” It will be out any day, though, so get ready to toss out last year’s edition and file the new “Little Book of Numbers” on your shelf.
Comments (4)
what a sweet article from ms. pacchiana. and what a new experience this online world is for a confirmed newsprint dinosaur like myself.
the couple of comments in response about the little book were utterly charming (thank you!), and are why i do the book to begin with... ...to inspire a grin and a gladness for this place we call home.
"mendes is tremendous" has been my mantra this whole time that ruth mendes has been my quiet behindthescenes other half, helping me pump out the beloved phonebook for everyone, year after year. she's been my tonto, robin, 99, costello, fitch, porter {to my lone ranger, batman, max smart, abbott, abercrombie, and cole}. plus, we like the same early greenwich village coffee house music that keeps us going through the wee hours {although she was actually there in the coffee houses and i only heard the records}, and we both have the same red plastic domed 'fun' button that we hit when we're end of the whole long publication process and are as ragged as dogs....we sit down, go quiet, look at each other, and press the button...which says out loud: "THAT was easy". but it's all worth repeating for what you get to hold in your hand. the sweet ole little book. my hat's off to ruth and richard mendes, to my inspired hardworking mom, to everyone who uses and enjoys the book, and to those of you who reach out to say so. THANK you. ricky s.
Little Book of Numbers is one of the many reasons why living in Pound Ridge is so special. The charming illustrations, the little anecdotes of history, it is my go to directory when I need a resource in town.
Looking forward to the new book! First time advertising in The Little Book of Numbers which I have carried in my truck for years. I advertised in the Country Shopper over twenty five years ago with great results! Thanks for a great resource. Peter DeLuca www.organiclandscapesny.com
It's been my pleasure to do the typesetting, work on the graphics & designing with Ricky and facilitate the mailing since the Little Book's revival in 1990. This year there is a new page with all of the information on what to do when there is a power outage. This includes information for Pound Ridge and Bedford with emergency resources such as warming stations, water, etc. Our Office of Emergency Management in Pound Ridge was extraordinary but some people didn't know what was available, and where. Hopefully, this info won't be necessary a lot, but it is in the Little Book of Numbers for 2013!
Ruth Mendes, Wordcraft & Graphics, Unlimited