Oradell's Handy Guides Still Going Strong in Digital Age

Frustrated in her attempts to easily locate businesses along the Rt. 17 corridor, Oradell resident Iris Orsini created Handy Guides Inc in 1995 and even in the current digital age, her map business is still going strong.

The maps, which are small enough to fit in a glovebox in the car or your jacket pocket, are free at several Rt. 17 storefronts and downtown areas in Westwood and Ridgewood.

HandyGuide has produced over 150 editions of destination guides for towns (Westwood, Ridgewood, Paramus), Ramapo College, Valley Hospital, Rt. 17 in Paramus, Mahwah and Ramsey, Rt. 4 in Paramus, Van Saun Park, Rt. 23 from Wayne to Butler, the Paterson Hamburg Turnpike from Butler to Pompton Lakes, and Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne. An additional guide was created outlining Ramapo Villages in Rockland County, New York.

The business has also recently begun creating guides that are specific to weddings, prom and Valentine's Day that feature Westwood businesses.

Other new maps include hiking trails that residents can walk with their dogs or locating an off-the beaten path automotive retail service station in the Radburn section of Fair Lawn.

Handy Guide also makes its maps and guides available online, and has mobile versions that can be downloaded for smart phones and tablets.