European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 06, 1995, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Wednesday september 6,1995 the stars and stripes Page. 21 Herman Why did you move your plate about at 5�m0ol, put i m Junior will happen to phone helium tank prank proves fatal after two inhalations dear Ann Landers i am 15 years old and i read your column in the bos ton Globe. I have Learned a lot from it. Not Long ago a Parent asked about the dangers of allowing her Chil Dren to inhale helium Gas from the balloons Given out at birthday parties. _ a few Days later i read in the paper that a Guy die from inflating helium balloons in the Back room of a restaurant. This 20-year-old was showing a 17-year-old girl How to fill the balloons with helium for her birthday party. They began to horse around taking hits from the tank. After Only the second hit the Guy fell to his knee Sand passed out. They tried to revive him using car but he died a few minutes later of massive pulmonary  i realize that people of All Ages operate these tanks. I have seen kids my own age working in stores using them to inflate balloons. The common perception is that helium is fun and relatively Safe. Obviously this snot  the helium in one balloon is harmless but the compressed Gas in the tanks can be deadly. A local medical examiner reported that the 20-year-old Guy literally blew his lungs  everyone in my Ann under town was shocked by this trag Edy. I Hope people who use these machines at work and for parties will realize How danger Ous they can be. S.c., Newburyport Mas dear Newburyport the tragic incident you referred to was widely reported. I received several clippings. The helium from a single party balloon poses Little Dan Ger but the tanks used to fill balloons should not be trifled with. This sport can be fatal. Dear Ann Landers while visiting san Diego recently i stopped at health food store. A nicely dressed elderly lady was in the checkout line ahead of me. When her Bill was total de she became very embarrassed. She was Short $1.29, i did t want to be tied up in line nor did i want Tosee her embarrassed so i placed two singles on the counter. The elderly lady said i could t do that an the clerk told me the same thing. I said i was t going to take the Money Back arid she was just going to Haveko accept  /  this time several people were gawking amaze that a total stranger would give someone $1.29. Realizing that i meant what i said the lady asked for my address so she could pay Back the $1.29. Rather than do that i asked that she repay me by someday helping someone in need As i had helped her. The transaction was completed and the lady hurriedly exited. I then asked the clerk for my change since i had Given her $2. Well apparently she was 5,0rattled that she gave the change to the lady who had just left. I guess this goes to  a Small act of generosity in some parts of the country sends the natives into Shock. Fr1endswood, Texas dear Texas _ _ _ what a heartwarming Story. Your Small town in Texas has been aptly named. Thanks for letting us know about you. Gem of the Day two final bequests More important than things. Give our kids roots then let them have wings. Letters to this column should be address of to Ann Landers co Tho Sta Sand stripes unit 29480, Apo 09211. .,--._ c creators Syndicate. Bridesmaid wrong to dear Abby my family is in turmoil Over something that happened before my Niece s wedding last week. My blon Eteen age daughter Kim was slated to be a brides maid in her Cousin s wedding. Two Days before the wedding Kim and a blonde Friend parted their hair straight Down the Middle and dyed half of it Jet Black when i saw the two toned hairdos i called my hair Dresser and asked if the damage could be undone. It could t. Abby i know teens pull stunts like this As a form of harmless rebellion so i gave what i though twas the Best response so what it 11 grow  when we arrived at the rehearsal dinner the next evening my sister the Bride s Mother threw a fit and ordered Kim to leave the party. She also told her she was no longer a  m really Hurt Over my sister s reaction and i think she owes my daughter an apology. When i told Hertha she reacted As if i were crazy. Do you have any words of Wisdom on this Mother of a rejected bridesmaid dear Mother you daughter chose a most inappropriate time to rebel. On a wedding Day attention should be entered on the Bride. Your daughter s startling hair would have diverted attention away from the Bride. Kim deserved dismissal for her thoughtless behaviour. The Only apology a order Here is from your daughter to the Bride and her Mother. Dear Abby there May be a simple solution to my problem Butas of now i have not figured it out. Three months ago my family and i moved to a new Home in a new development. The neigh boyhood is very Nice the schools Are wonderful and Weare Happy Here the problem is Mirie. I am lonely. The neigh Bors Are All quite Friendly with one another and i have tried to become close with them. They always seem Happy to accept a invitation from me to go shop Ping  come Over for Coffee but if i do not initiate this i Don t hear from them. It s not As if they Don t like me because i m sure the would make up excuses not to see me if that were the Case and As Long As i make the first move they seem dear Abby genuinely pleased to spend time with me. But i Don twant to appear Pushy or Overly anxious so i Haven t called anyone in weeks. I Don t know if i should make my feelings known or just Stop calling and see if i Ever hear from them. It hurts me every time i look out the window and seethed All going shopping together while i sit Home alone. Any suggestions alone in new Yor dear alone if you have not called anyone in weeks perhaps these women think you Are no longer interested in pursuing a Friendship with them. Break the silence and invite them All Over for a backyard Barbecue so your families can become better acquainted. If they Don t warm up after that look for friends outside your neighbourhood. It s Best not to depend solely on your neighbors for your social life. Involve yourself in Community activities. Volunteer at the local Hospital or Library join a Garden club or genealogy society Volunteer for fund raising drives or become a teacher s aide. The opportunities Are endless. Trust me you get More than you give when you Volunteer. Letters for this column should to addressed to Doar Abby co tha stars and stripes unit 29480. Apo 09211. C Una Vorsas Pross Syndicate Call the Usa Only per my. 06221-12140/12178 from Germany