Now is the season when Circuit Avenue has more shuttered stores than open ones. Some, like Linda Jean’s, are closed for only a month or so, but we will have to wait until spring for many others to reopen. Of course, Reliable Market is still open and still reliable, and Phillips Hardware, Basics, daRosa’s, and Slice of Life, along with a few other stores, remain open for our shopping convenience.

I was sorry to hear that Vineyard Electronics is closing. Their staff was always so patient and helpful, and very generous with information. They and my grandchildren were my mentors with electronic gadgets. I guess the future of shopping is changing, and we will see more stores fading away. How different from when I was growing up in Vineyard Haven, and the main shopping choices were Brickman’s and Vineyard Dry Goods, where Mrs. Levine would not let you leave the store until you had found what you wanted. And of course the most popular shopping was the 2-inch-thick Sears, Roebuck catalogue, where you could order anything from clothing to baby chicks. No speedy shopping there, as to place an order you had to fill out the ordering information on an order blank, mail it off, and wait a couple of weeks for your merchandise. But now you can browse the Internet and receive what you wish in a matter of days.

Electronics are wonderful, but I so wish someone would design a remote control that does not resemble a phone. Last week I managed to answer two remote controls, the portable house phone, and finally, when my daughter pointed out it was my cell phone that was ringing and nothing else, I was connected to the correct device.

Although the holiday will be observed on Monday, Jan. 18, we will remember the peaceful courage of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 19.

Deepest condolences to the family of Linda Tankard Gonsalves. Linda was the daughter of Carrie Tankard and the late George Tankard. She will be missed by her husband Wayne, her three daughters, two grandchildren, her mother, and many siblings and friends. We are so very sorry.

We enjoyed a visit over the weekend from two of my grandson Jeremy’s classmates from Assumption College. Zac Rice and Kristen Enge only visited for a few days before they, along with Jeremy, headed back to school after their winter break, but they seemed to enjoy their brief visit.

Now, in this somewhat less hectic season, is a good time to go through your books and see if you would like to donate some for a good cause. The Library Friends of Oak Bluffs are sponsoring another mini book drive for the benefit of the Oak Bluffs library. They will be accepting books in good to excellent condition on Saturday, Jan. 16, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Please bring them to the large meeting room at the library, and if you bring reference books, they should be current, published within the past three years. When you free up some space in your bookshelves, you will then be able to purchase some more books. And so it continues.

On Jan. 15, from 6 to 8 pm, the library will be holding its first Wii Night, where the new Wii U video games system will be tried out on the projection screen. This will allow folks of all ages to play a variety of games. The regular Wii will also be set up in case of an overflow of people, and pizza will be served. If enough people show up, there is the possibility of a tournament.

Children of all ages will enjoy a “Read to Your Pet” event at the library on Saturday, Jan. 23, from 10 to 11:30 am. Bring an animal friend (real or stuffed) to the library, and read it a story or two.

The wonderful monthly book clubs continue, and a new one this month, International Books of Mystery, reads a crime novel from a different country every month and then meets to discuss it over snacks from that country. This month’s selection is “The Mad and the Bad” by Jean Patrick Manchette. Along with the book, you will enjoy eating French cheese and baguettes. This meeting is on Jan. 23 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.

Susan Silva is hosting a workshop on dried flower arranging at the West Tisbury library on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 7 pm. The cost for the class is $15, and it’s a benefit for the West Tisbury Library Foundation. As space is limited, please preregister at the library or by calling 508-693-3366. Dried flowers will be provided, but participants are asked to bring a vase, wreath frame, or container in which to create their arrangements.

It is difficult enough to cope with illness and also with the expense of necessary trips off-Island for medical treatment. Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) announces the Transportation Access Program (TAP) to assist residents of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket with traveling expenses for medical and/or behavioral health appointments off the islands. TAP funds will help individuals and families with excessive costs of off-Island travel due to these necessary trips. Funding through the program is intended to offer assistance when all other alternative means of assistance (i.e. health insurance coverage) have been exhausted. There is an annual cap on assistance per individual of $750. Extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. TAP applications for Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket residents can be found online at mvcommunityservices.com/tap or in hard copy in the administration building at MVCS.

We send birthday smiles to Brenda Leonard on the 10th, grandson Sam Alley and Richard Combra Jr. on the 11th, Jack deBettencourt and Richard Mavro the next day, Sue Sequinha on the 13th, Shamus Kelley on the 15th, Jessica Peters and Chris Pantalone on the 16th, Katherine deBettencourt on the 17th, Marcia Valentzas and Patti Linn on the 19th, and Alfie Araujo on the 20th.

Enjoy your week. Peace.