European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 31, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Bit tight at a time when the Low Dollar makes it almost too expensive to go downtown military recreation programs in Europe Are being hit by orders to Cut Back. Up to the present most of these off duty programs which include about every Leisure activity imaginable from woodworking to Bowling have been offered free or practically free of charge. Now Congress is demanding that they become increasingly self supporting and that members of the military pay for services such As use of Bowling alleys and crafts facilities that the Ordinary american civilian pays for Back Home. It s All part of the congressional directive to Cut out what is considered unnecessary military spending. The Belt tightening won t Lead to the demise of military supported recreation its army and air Force directors say reassuringly. There will however be increased emphasis on generating Money. Air Force recreation programs Are run on a base level. Army activities come under the Usa eur Community family support Agency with Headquarters in Schwet Eingen West Germany. The . Army recreation service support Center Europe in Aschaffenbur West Germany provides supplies to both services. Tom Rago who Heads the army s 294-facility arts and crafts division says that despite the new emphasis on generating funds these activities which Are supported by 80 percent appropriated and 20 percent non appropriated funds Are tillable to  not All Craft and photo Center directors Are enthusiastic though about the commercialism expected of their programs. Outdoor recreation and entertainment programs directors predict will have the most difficult time in coming up with ways to generate Money. In this report the stars and stripes takes a look at the military s arts and crafts facilities. . Turning Craft centers into profit7 centers stories by Mary Neth staff writer he threat of funding cutbacks is changing the operation of local military arts and crafts centers in Europe. Managers Are increasingly expected to come up with ways to make Money. Some directors have entered the new business Era with enthusiasm. In Stuttgart West Germany the Craft shop has opened an outlet for country Craft needlework supplies that is proving to be a Success. Others feel the centers should be places where people Are guided in learning a Craft not sales outlets. The funding cuts began in 1986 with the Gramm Rudman deficit reduction Law according to Allan Maquire assistant manager at the Patton Barracks Multi Craft Center in Heidelberg West Germany. Now the centers Are faced with new directives requiring them to become even More self sustaining. Maquire is one manager who is less than enthusiastic. He does t think the average Multi Craft shop can be run on a sales oriented basis. Unlike private businesses he believes the military centers Are too tied Down with red tape Chain of command policies and Lack of staff. The Patton crafts Center has three full time staff members and a temporary employee. If we had another person there would be time to make things to sell for profit. With More help we could mass produce things and make Money by doing picture framing and Selling ceramics and silk screen work. As it is a great Deal of our time is spent setting up and cleaning. We Are being turned into labourers instead of being artisans said Maquire. In the Ceramic Section at Patton two women from Mannheim were at work. Charlotte Fromer is a beginner at Ceramic painting. Sandra Dodd is an old hand who started 10 years ago and came to the Patton Center in search of new holds to add to her collection of Indian figures. It is an inexpensive Hobby and the work makes Nice gifts she said. Prices vary slightly from Craft Center to Craft Center but a gallon of slip liquid Clay averages around $3, and a Jar of Glaze $1.20. At Patton there is a charge of 50 cents for pouring and 50 cents for firing. All the army shops also require an orientation course which costs about $3 or $4. A qualifying course also is required for woodworking. Rhein main offers the course free of charge. Patton charges $2. I come in every Day the shop is open said continued on Page 14 is Lynda w. Sparks at the Rhein main a woodworking shop pfc. Ruby Maier builds a stand for displaying awards. Wednesday August 31, 1988 the stars and stripes Page 13