European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 26, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The fruits of summer soaked in rum by Joan Drake los Angeles times rum pot rum Topf brandied fruit Vintage fruit a All Are similar methods of preserving the peaches plums and berries now plentiful in markets Many of the recipes originated in Europe were handed Down for generations then crossed the Atlantic with Early colonists. Referring to them As recipes is really an exaggeration. They Are actually just guidelines so do not hesitate to use your own judgment and add a Little More rum if the sugar refuses to dissolve. It is difficult to ruin a rum pot but occasionally it May become Sticky Sweet Flat or even stale tasting. Correct these conditions with the addition of a Little dry yeast a about Teaspoon per gallon of fruit mixture. Stir daily and taste after a few Days to see if the fruit regains its Good flavor. A few words of caution. Use crockery or Glass containers never metallic for making and storing a rum pot. Apples pears and Citrus fruit should not be added. Dried fruit May be used in moderation however when adding raisins use Only one cup sugar for two cups of raisins. Begin by pouring a pint of rum into a 2-gallon Container step 1. Add 2 cups of sugar step 2 and stir with a wooden spoon until dissolved. Larger fruit such As peaches and a nectarines should be peeled and sliced smaller varieties like plums quartered and berries left whole. Add 2 cups of fruit to the rum and sugar mixture step 3. Cover the Container loosely step 4 and store in a relatively Cool place at least one week stirring daily before adding More sugar and fruit. As the rum pot Ages the fruit will shrivel turn dark and become infused with the sugar and rum. Once no More fruit and sugar is added the rum pot will be ready to serve in about six weeks. It May however be aged several months. Serve Over Vanilla ice Cream toasted Angel food or Pound cake slices or Plain custards. Drained fruit can be layered with Vanilla pudding in parfaits or used As a trifle ingredient. Plantation rum pot 2 cups Light rum about sugar fresh fruit pour 2 cups rum into 2-gallon Crock. Stir in 2 cups sugar until dissolved. Add 2 cups fruit. Cover with Loose fitting lid and let stand 1 week stirring daily. Continue adding 2 cups each fruit and sugar As Long As desired or until Crock is filled. Should sugar not dissolve add More rum. Fruit May be used 6 weeks after final addition of fruit and sugar but May be aged several months step 1 begin by pouring a pint of Light rum into a 2-gallon size Glass or crockery  2 add 2 cups of sugar then stir Viritha Long handled wooden spoon until it is dissolved. Lativs 4 step 3 2 cups of seasonal foul test such step 4 loosely cover the Container As poaches plums or berries whole stir mixture at least once Dally for for sliced Are then added. T week. Readers action Lin Force reductions and reassignments my Wile and i Are hoping you can Supply us with some information concerning a problem we have had to Deal with for several months. I am currently assigned to 1st army div in Germany. My wife is assigned to 1st inf div from fort Riley Kan. Due to our involvement in operation desert shield my wife was unable to pcs permanent change of station to Germany under a joint domicile assignment. My unit is deactivating after it returns to Germany. I am Uncertain if i will be re assigned in country or if i will return stateside in a sure this is going to affect our situation for the worse. Will we have to re apply for a joint domicile assignment we Are being told that our situation is unique and Are having difficulty getting information on How to Deal with it. We would prefer to solve this matter quickly and correctly sgt. Donald p. Crawford operation desert storm in it. Col. Joseph Gravish chief enlisted management division 1st personnel come he Usa eur replies the writer raises a question of concern to Many soldiers who were affected by operation desert shield storm or will be reassigned due to future Force reduction actions. Regarding the joint domicile assignment he does not have to re apply. Consideration for such is automatically made by army personnel managers As a result of enrolment in the married army couples program enrolment need Only be made one Lime and consideration Tor All future assignments to the same stateside installation or overseas tour area will be made for both soldiers. Requirements of the army dictate when or if couples can be stationed together. In some cases a dual assignment cannot be accommodated or simultaneous travel cannot be arranged As the writers situation demonstrates. Dual assignment consideration is also Given for married army couples in Usa eur when one or both soldiers Are affected by Force reduction decisions. Generally soldiers in Usa eur Force reduction units with 18 or More months remaining on their overseas tour at the time their unit inactivates Are reassigned within theater. As an exception soldiers with critical skills who have at least 12 or More months remaining on their l overseas tour Are also retained. All other soldiers Are curtailed and reassigned to conus Continental United states. If further information is required the writer can Best be served by consulting his Chain of command and supporting personnel service  sewing centers in the United kingdom in regards to the lady in Germany who said cafes had listened to the pleas to keep their sewing centers open we in the United kingdom Are not so fortunate. It has been stated that Lakenheath will be the Only surviving sewing department in the entire United kingdom. Cafes has now deemed our business As unworthy of their store floor space and they do not feel that a two hour car drive for sewing items is in excess longer for others at further away bases. I would like to suggest that we undeserving customers immediately begin giving our business to some of those i be listed Here who enjoy serving the customer with up to Date merchandise along with Quick dependable service each and every time i have ordered from them. They Are Clothilde inc., 1909 . First ave., fort Lauderdale Fla. 33315-2100 Nancy a notions Box 683-c, Beaver dam wis. 53916 Home  . Box 4099, Bethlehem a. 18018-0099 Keepsake quilting Dover Street . Box 1459, Meredith , 03253, ask them to place your name on their customer mailing list so that you can avoid purchasing the dwindling outdated Stock the cafes sewing department is now offering you i always prefer to shop where i know my business is appreciated to Carrier Raf Chicksands England in sgt. Maj. Michel j. Bolduc he cafes Europe a sergeant major replies yes our stores in England like those in Germany and major retailers in the states Are scaling Back sewing. Departments. The reasons Are that sales Are poor floor space is tight and it does t make sense to have a lot of inventory dollars tied up in Amatea of declining use. You la continue to see the basics in the main stores. We be created the stitches and crafts centers and centrally located them throughout Europe. I m sorry you have to drive two hours to reach the one at Lakenheath but once you arrive you la find the selection of sewing and Craft items greatly expanded and improved. To write us readers action line is the readers Quot court of last resort Quot striving to answer some of the questions about life overseas in a military environment or questions about policies and guidelines when other avenues for answers Are not readily available. If you have a question and done to know where to turn for the answer write to readers action line co the stars and stripes Apo 09211-4211. All letters must be signed and preference will be Given to those seeking information of general interest to our readers. Page 16 a the stars and stripes Friday. July 26, 1991