European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 16, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Is photos by Ken George above Robbie Lasecki 8, climbs Back on his skates with a smile. Left Monica Soliz 6, warms up with a cup of hot chocolate. Right Mark Pegher 5, and his sister Stephanie 7, work their Way along the Edge of the rink. Below Khaleah Luis 11, gives his Ankles a Quick rest. Like roller skating without the wheels by Janet Howells Tierney staff writer it s a world of Runny noses Frozen toes and wet Butts a world Only a child could enjoy. Tentatively one ice skate Clad foot risks a step onto the wide Glassy expanse. When the other foot joins the first a lot of slipping and sliding follows but that can be expected from novices. The Only thing you have to do is Start slow advised domonic Chapman 9, from the american military Community in bad nauheim West Germany. I fell Down the first time. It Felt cold and icy. Now i can go Halfway  youngsters need something to Challenge them during the dreary Days of Winter says Cheryl White the youth activities director in Butzbach West Germany. Ice skating was her first Choice. I figured they needed something different to do and this is fun White said. This is More fun for kids than the adults because we have to worry about too Many other things. But i m trying it  White clutched the Wall of the ice rink throughout most of the group s two hour stay. Once risking it All she floated out into a Clear area but a minute later lost her precarious balance and fell. One Young fellow wasted no time finding a Way to keep his feet under him and setting priorities. My dad taked me but i was bended Down said Mark Pegher 5, gripping the Side. I can t do  then with a sly smile that exposed perfect baby Teeth Mark revealed Why he really went to the ice rink i want some French  some of the children dug their skates in and took off joining the whirling crowd of Veteran skaters circling to the beat of piped in music. Eight year old Robbie Lasecki of Butzbach Dove without hesitation onto the rink looking like a pro although it was his first time on skates. Puffing breathy Clouds and covered with the ice rink Frost he stopped Only Long enough to say wow before taking off again in a scrape of steel. Robbie s older sister took a More delicate approach. I can t work up enough courage to go out into the Middle. It s too scary said Melody Lasecki 11, then adding with a bit of a gleam in her eyes plus the boys keep tripping  i be done it one time before said John Durst 10. It s like roller skating without the  those who made it around the rink once or twice without falling were proud of their accomplishment. But those who lost their concentration while patting themselves on the Back usually got a Quick blow to their egos and backsides. Of no my butt is All wet lamented one shaky skater. Later warming up had to wait until sneakers replaced the tightly laced skates. This feels weird said Melody after putting on her Street shoes. I keep wanting to  the bad nauheim ice rink is open weekends for skating until Spring and costs about 8 Marks $4.50 per person for the entry fee skate rental and shoe storage. American shoe sizes must be converted to German sizes when renting skates. 24 stripes Magazine february 16, 1989