Waterford

Howard County has finally started spending its millions intended for farmland preservation - two years after the money was made available and five years since the last agricultural parcel was saved in the county. The county settled with the owners of Waterford Farm yesterday in a preservation deal that takes in 400.5 acres of the 634-acre estate, one of the largest farms preserved in the county. Officials agreed to pay $6,180 an acre. With interest, which is tax free, the total will be $6.3 million.

Add one more curious fact to the history of the Communist movement: it played a part in the success of Waterford crystal. Master engraver Miroslav Havel, invited to Ireland in 1947 to lend support and expertise to the flagging glassworks, was unable to return to Czecho- slovakia before a Communist regime made it a closed country in 1948. He stayed in Ireland for decades, and helped Waterford become one of the premier houses for fine crystal. During his years at Waterford, he created some of its best-known patterns, as well as chandeliers for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Westminster Abbey.

Annapolis PreserveThe Waterford and Elkins floor plans Toll Brothers Inc. has introduced at Annapolis Preserve are traditional homes that can be built with Colonial, Federal, New England, Provincial or Williamsburg exteriors.Toll Brothers is building 83 homes on one- to two-acre lots in the 400-acre wooded community. All homes in the Anne Arundel County development will have 9-foot, first-floor ceilings, oak stairs and rails, wood-burning fireplaces in the family rooms and gas heating and cooking.

The state Department of Natural Resources may have stocked Lake Waterford with 750 farm-bred trout last month, but you couldn't prove it by the anglers at the Pasadena park this week.Doug Miller, 46, a Glen Burnie carpenter, said he was catching "nothing but a suntan" yesterday, and his experience was repeated by several others.Randy Tobin, 42, an experienced fisherman, was introducing his 10-year-old daughter, Randi, to the sport, but not having much luck."I showed her how to cast a rod, how to bait, but she hasn't caught a fish yet," he said.

An incorrect address and phone number were listed for Sharp Farms in Thursday's Live story on pumpkin farms. Tours are available at Sharp's at Waterford Farm, 4003 Jennings Chapel Road, Brookville. The phone number is (301) 854-6275.Also, in the review of Stixx Cafe that appeared in Thursday's Live section, the owner's name was incorrect. Kang Yi took over the restaurant in May.The Sun regrets the error.

Jazz at TilghmanJazz and travel fans can have the best of both worlds if they take a day trip to Tilghman Island on Saturday for the island's first Jazz Festival. The lineup includes renowned jazz vibraphonist Milt Jackson, guitarist Charlie Byrd, trumpeter Wallace Roney, drummer Brooks Tegler and Hot Jazz, the jazz quintet Unified Jazz Ensemble and the Len Gray Orchestra.The festival will be held at Tilghman Back Creek Park, overlooking the water, from noon to 6 p.m. Gates open at 11 a.m. for fans to spread out their blankets, check out the arts and crafts and food (plenty of fresh seafood, libations and other fare)

Waterford is a peaceful little village nestled in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. It was settled in 1733 by Quakers from Pennsylvania, and in 1970 the entire village and 1,420 acres of surrounding countryside were designated a National Historic Landmark.Today, although only 45 miles from Washington, the village appears forgotten by time and by tourists. Once a year, however, on the first full weekend in October, this tranquil scene is interrupted by Civil War soldiers, strolling minstrels, string bands and 140 crafts people who come to participate in the annual Homes Tour and Craft Exhibit.

POLICE LOG* Ellicott City: 10000 block of Waterford Drive: An air compressor was taken after someone entered an unlocked garage Monday.

Crafts, homes and history are highlights in WaterfordAnother big weekend is in store for daytrippers as fall events crowd the calendar. Early October brings scores of visitors to the 260-year-old village of Waterford, Va., for the annual Homes Tour and Crafts Exhibit Friday through next Sunday. This year marks the event's 50th anniversary, making it the oldest juried crafts fair in Virginia.Several private homes will be open for tour in this National Historic Landmark Village, along with two Civil War cemeteries.

Softball* 55-and over -- First place Danny's improved to 19-1 by defeating Ken Michael's (13-6) 11-7, 11-7 in Tuesday night league play.Ken Ryland went 3-for-3, with a homer and two RBI for the winners. Teammate Bill Lovelace went 2-for-3 with two RBI. In the second game, Jay Soloman was 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBI.Betty and Jake's is now in third place with 15-6, Spindler's is in fourth with a 11-9 record. Greyhounds (8-11), Arthur's (4-17), and Last Chance (0-20) represent the fifth, sixth, and seventh spots.