The Little Green Book of Information
by Patrick Golden - Tab Staff Writer

A phone book may be one of the last places on Earth one would look to find out what type of gift to give for a fourth wedding anniversary, but the Little Green Phone Book can tell you it should fall within a pottery theme.

The Little Green Phone Book can tell so much that publishers Susan and Charlie Russo may be slighting themselves by calling their creation "Little" of even a phone book. "Mini-Encyclopedia" or "Green Book of Wisdom’" may be a more suitable title. For Holliston residents, workers and visitors, the Little Green Phone Book is the essential book to getting around town.

Sure it’s got phone numbers, but that’s just the beginning. A flip through the information-laden 264 pages of this year’s Holliston edition, released this month, reveals a wealth of town facts and even a few surprises.

"I think the Little Green Phone Books can be very valuable," said Susan Russo, who has published the line of community phone books since 1982. Her husband, Charlie, serves as vice president. Susan had a background in publishing before starting the company and Charlie worked as a golf professional.

The co-working couple sat last week in the office of their newly refurbished building on Central Street. A brightly painted sign that reads "Northeastern Publishing, Inc." greets visitors and passerbys outside our office. After moving the company from Norfolk back to Holliston two years ago, Charlie said they planned to have the renovations completed in five years, but finished three years ahead of schedule.

Susan first opened the business in Holliston in 1982, but moved to Norfolk later before returning to town.

Beside Holliston, Northeastern Publishing offers phone books in Ashland, Norfolk, Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Wrentham, Foxboro, and Walpole, reaching over 75,000 residents and businesses. Each book is set for a different release date, and the Russos spend the year updating the information in the books and generating advertisements.

This years Holliston Little Green Phone Book features a sharper look, more town information and a host of other interesting features. There’s a Holliston street map, a listing of all the town’s government officials, all the residents indexed by street, a catalogue of clubs and their mission statements and zip codes of all Massachusetts towns.

Along with the help of their office manager the Russo's try to keep the information in the book as up-to-date as possible. Their map of Holliston is so current that Town Hall has even copies.

There’s a map for the Boston commuter rail and a page telling readers what to do in the event of poisoning. The book includes horoscopes, weights and measures, a place to keep baby-sitter information and bicycle safety tips.

A closer read reveals even more. There are little messages sprinkled throughout, courtesy of Charlie and Susan. One says, "Children Learn What They Live" One message reminds readers to give blood and another asks, "Have you hugged your child today?"

Some residents have even referred to the phone book as "The Little Green Bible." And why not? There’s plenty of wisdom to be found in its pages. A box at the bottom of page 216 explains how to lose weight from your body’s midsection.

The two have put together a little contest to entertain patrons in the book. Somewhere in the advertisement section lies a bogus ad that the Russos created. Anyone finding the ad can fill out the contest form.

The phone books are even on the Internet, allowing advertisers space on their own electronic page.

Despite being a married couple who runs a business together, Charlie Russo said they get along well.

"We know that she’s the boss," he said.

The two met when Charlie, who is a golf lover, was giving lessons. Susan showed up for a lesson, the two started talking and the rest is history.

"We make a good team," said Susan.