European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 12, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Wednesday. February 12, 1986 the stars and stripes Page 3 us Poloi by 0vt Dlallo fourth graders from he Karlsruhe elementary school arrive in Offenburg tuesday for the Fasching festivities left. Nine year old Shane Potwin with Mustache orders a pretzel. American youngsters develop taste Tor Fasching by Mary Hladkiv staff writer Offenburg Germany one minute the Mai Square in this Black Forest town was nearly deserted. The next it was swarming with hundreds of children an their parents Yelling Narri  suddenly scores of Snag nosed witches walked Oul on balconies around the Square. But instead of spreading scorn and evil these Witche showered the shouting crowd with Candy Wurst and  Normal Day in this quiet town hardly. But these Aren t Normal  marked the end of Fasching the German pre Lent Holiday Lime when All manner of crazy ass pre  american fourth graders from Karlsruhe elementary school joined in the merrymaking during ceremony just for children. Youngsters of All Ages chanted Nam Narro which Means fools fools and other nonsensical rhymes and scrambled to catch the goodies tossed by the witches. Nydia Windsor 9. Caught one Wurst right in her  the sting did t Dampen her enthusiasm. This is better than halloween because Vou have to catch All of it she said. The class agreed Frisch my has Many improvements Over  s great said Ronnell Cox ii. The older people get dressed up in costumes  you have to try w catch the stuff Wade Calder said. It s better than going door to door. At the school before boarding a train to Offenburg tethers and parcs painted pupils faces with Bright Dat Eacher Sarah elder said she arranged the trip so her of oils could learn about German culture. 5f the american Coro Mummy enough. This trip outside the american Community exposes a photo by do of Dlo five witches of Offenburg ease spectators nol at All terrified during the Fasching fun in the town Square. Children to traditions dating Back to pre Christian times. The witches waved brooms in the air and across the ground symbolizing the chasing away of the evil spirits of Winter. They wore hand carved and painted wooden masks made especially for members of this town s witches society. Children Learned about the Holiday in school but knowl Edge took a Back seat to fun during the Celebration. 8lt s fun said Matt Stirrett 9. The Best part is trying to gel the  fourth graders landed a huge haul of goodies. Mosi said they d have no trouble eating  s just As Good As american stuff. It s just differ ent said 10-yeat-old Wade