Surfcasters were the stars for this 33^rd year of the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby. The stripers were huge, and there were more big ones than anyone expected. In the pages of the daily derby records are entered 20 striped bass weighing more than 40 pounds each, and winning daily prizes. Seven of those fish weighed more than 50 pounds. In most past derbys, a 50-pound bass would be an easy winner. This year, a 52-pounder didn't finish in the top three. It is a derby of striper surprises.

Something happened to Carly Simon the moment she stepped onstage at the Chilmark concert. The performance she worried so about was riveting; the crowds she expected to be rowdy welcomed her warmly.

Backstage, she had mingled among the carefully screened (and tagged) collection of people, accepting hugs of encouragement, words of support.

“There was so much paranoia before the event, about what might happen, what it might turn into that I was really quite scared,” she recalled some days later.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis broke her long-standing silence yesterday to confirm that she is the new owner of the 375-acre tract of ocean front land in Gay Head.

The Gazette reported Mrs. Onassis' ownership last Friday. It was that story that ended months of rumor and speculation about the Onassis purchase. The rumors had circulated both here on the Vineyard and on the mainland.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is the purchaser of one of the most important open tracts of land on the Vineyard, specifically 375 acres of strategically placed property in the Squibnocket Pond area of Gay Head.

The Gazette confirmed Mrs. Onassis' ownership after a widespread check of sources in Washington, New York and elsewhere.

Until now the acquisition of this land, variously known as the Hornblower property and the Red Gate Farm, has been clouded in secrecy.

I saw Joe Frenchfries at the T.C.D. concert the other night. He was sitting in the front row with the gang from the Black Dog. Enthusiastic fans, they all relished the typical T.C.D. pranks including midget Christmas carolers and a moped ridden through the audience.

Timothy, Charles and Duane, or TCD as the group is best known to its contemporary musical audience, will give its second annual Christmas show in three performances this weekend at the Katharine Cornell Memorial Theatre in Tisbury. Show time begins at 8:30 Friday and Saturday evenings. A special matinee performance for Island children will be given at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Charles Esposito of the group said, “Santa Clause will be part of the show.” Mr. Clause is expected to play a central role in the matinee show Saturday.