Patricia Bergeron and the Portuguese American Club accepted this year’s Spirit of the Vineyard award Sunday in a ceremony marked with laughter, love and a few tears.

Tricia Bergeron and the Portuguese American Club are this year’s recipients of the Spirit of the Vineyard Award.

John G. Early, a longtime West Tisbury selectman and volunteer on many committees and organizations across the Island, has been honored with the Spirit of the Vineyard award. The community room at the West Tisbury Library was overflowing as friends and supporters listened to one speaker after another praise Mr. Early.

John Early is being honored for his service to the community on Sunday, Dec. 28, at the West Tisbury library at 2 p.m.

John Early has contributed so many years of public service it's difficult to come up with an actual number without a high powered calculator. Hospice of Martha's Vineyard did the math, though, and chose Mr. Early to be this year's recipient of their Spirit of the Vineyard award.

Making a difference has no age limit. Margot Schwarz Weston, 99, was presented with the Spirit of the Vineyard award Satuday night in recognition of her decades of volunteering and community service. The award, now in its 17th year, is given out annually by Hospice of Martha's Vineyard and Vineyard Village at Home to honor individuals who work to enhance the Island in quiet ways.