Medal of Honor Recipient – PFC USMC James Anderson, Jr

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/GCC
November 19, 2009

Each week we at the Chronicle will be honoring one of these true heroes.

We will call it Medal of Honor Recipient of the Week.

We hope you will join with us to honor these true heroes. Who have given us the greatest sacrifice that one could give their life, to save their fellow soldiers?

We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

This Week’s Hero: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, 2d Platoon, Company F, 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, James Anderson, Jr

 

 

Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 28 February 1967.

Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif..

Born: 22 January 1947, Los Angeles, Calif.

 

Citation:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Company F was advancing in dense jungle northwest of Cam Lo in an effort to extract a heavily besieged reconnaissance patrol.

Pfc. Anderson’s platoon was the lead element and had advanced only about 200 meters when they were brought under extremely intense enemy small-arms and automatic weapons fire.

The platoon reacted swiftly, getting on line as best they could in the thick terrain, and began returning fire. Pfc. Anderson found himself tightly bunched together with the other members of the platoon only 20 meters from the enemy positions.

As the fire fight continued several of the men were wounded by the deadly enemy assault. Suddenly, an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the marines and rolled alongside Pfc. Anderson’s head. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he reached out, grasped the grenade, pulled it to his chest and curled around it as it went off. Although several marines received shrapnel from the grenade, his body absorbed the major force of the explosion.

In this singularly heroic act, Pfc. Anderson saved his comrades from serious injury and possible death. His personal heroism, extraordinary valor, and inspirational supreme self-sacrifice reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Source: US Military

Who Were Our Presidents? Part 15

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
November 19, 2009

Editor’s Note: How many of us along with our children? Know who our Presidents were and what they have done in Office.

Each week we will pick a President and tell you about them and their Accomplishes.

We hope that you will enjoy this series. And let us know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

 

15. James Buchanan 1857-1861

 

Tall, stately, stiffly formal in the high stock he wore around his jowls, James Buchanan was the only President who never married.

Presiding over a rapidly dividing Nation, Buchanan grasped inadequately the political realities of the time. Relying on constitutional doctrines to close the widening rift over slavery, he failed to understand that the North would not accept constitutional arguments which favored the South. Nor could he realize how sectionalism had realigned political parties: the Democrats split; the Whigs were destroyed, giving rise to the Republicans.

Born into a well-to-do Pennsylvania family in 1791, Buchanan, a graduate of Dickinson College, was gifted as a debater and learned in the law.

He was elected five times to the House of Representatives; then, after an interlude as Minister to Russia, served for a decade in the Senate. He became Polk’s Secretary of State and Pierce’s Minister to Great Britain. Service abroad helped to bring him the Democratic nomination in 1856 because it had exempted him from involvement in bitter domestic controversies.

As President-elect, Buchanan thought the crisis would disappear if he maintained a sectional balance in his appointments and could persuade the people to accept constitutional law as the Supreme Court interpreted it. The Court was considering the legality of restricting slavery in the territories, and two justices hinted to Buchanan what the decision would be.

Thus, in his Inaugural the President referred to the territorial question as “happily, a matter of but little practical importance” since the Supreme Court was about to settle it “speedily and finally.”

Two days later Chief Justice Roger B. Taney delivered the Dred Scott decision, asserting that Congress had no constitutional power to deprive persons of their property rights in slaves in the territories. Southerners were delighted, but the decision created a furor in the North.

Buchanan decided to end the troubles in Kansas by urging the admission of the territory as a slave state. Although he directed his Presidential authority to this goal, he further angered the Republicans and alienated members of his own party. Kansas remained a territory.

When Republicans won a plurality in the House in 1858, every significant bill they passed fell before southern votes in the Senate or a Presidential veto. The Federal Government reached a stalemate.

Sectional strife rose to such a pitch in 1860 that the Democratic Party split into northern and southern wings, each nominating its own candidate for the Presidency. Consequently, when the Republicans nominated Abraham Lincoln, it was a foregone conclusion that he would be elected even though his name appeared on no southern ballot. Rather than accept a Republican administration, the southern “fire-eaters” advocated secession.

President Buchanan, dismayed and hesitant, denied the legal right of states to secede but held that the Federal Government legally could not prevent them. He hoped for compromise, but secessionist leaders did not want compromise.

Then Buchanan took a more militant tack. As several Cabinet members resigned, he appointed northerners, and sent the Star of the West to carry reinforcements to Fort Sumter. On January 9, 1861, the vessel was far away.

Buchanan reverted to a policy of inactivity that continued until he left office. In March 1861 he retired to his Pennsylvania home Wheatland–where he died seven years later–leaving his successor to resolve the frightful issue facing the Nation.

Learn more about James Buchanan ‘s spouse, Harriet Lane.

Source: White House

 

Editor’s Note: Todays’ homework: We would like to know some of President James Buchanan’s accomplishments as President.

If you can give us some, you can win a prize. You can contact us at dan@youngchronicle.com

Santa Delivers to Cooper City Kids

By Mike Jachles
BSO/PIO
November 18, 2009

In keeping with an old holiday tradition, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Station #28 will help rollout Cooper City’s Annual Holiday Santa Program. Firefighters will chauffer Saint Nick on Saturday, December 19th and Sunday December 20th, 2009 aboard the big red fire truck as he delivers gifts to hundreds of local kids.

For a tax-deductible donation of $30 per stop, Cooper City parents purchase gifts and later turn them over to Santa’s elves for the special delivery.

Those interested need to sign up their kids by visiting :

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Cooper City Station #28 at 10550 Stirling Road.
Registration will start on Monday, November 30th and run through Friday, December 11th.

Registrations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday ONLY.

Make checks payable to: City of Cooper City.

Cooper City Annual Holiday Santa Program

Sponsored by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Station 28

Saturday, December 19th and Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Beginning at 6 p.m.

Departing from the fire station at:
10550 Stirling Road
Cooper City

Participating parents are asked to secure their children’s gifts out front where Santa’s Elves can easily find them or have someone meet the elves outside once they hear the sirens coming down the street.

The elves will then give the gifts to Santa so he can hand deliver them to the kids himself.

For more information on this charitable event, call Santa’s hotline at: 954-436-7310.

Source: BSO

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think: dan@youngchronicle.com

Hero of the Week – Dominic Osorio

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
November 18,2009

Editor’s Note: Each Week we will be Honoring people or groups that are making a difference in helping others especially during this tough times in America.

When we as Americans are put through a test, we come out in flying colors on the other side.

We would like to know what you think? And if you know someone or group that we can Honor. You can contact us at  dan@youngchronicle.com

This week we will be honoring: Dominic Osorio. Here is his story

By Mary Gail Hare
The Baltimore Sun
November 18, 2009

Dominic Osorio, a Bel Air first-grader whose battle with brain cancer inspired a superhero comic book, died Friday of the disease at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

The 7-year-old loved school, superheroes and his big sister Kristina.

“Dominic was a great kid, a real trouper who fought until his last breath,” said his grandmother Monique Spagna of Bel Air. “He is cradled in God’s arms now.”

While Nicole Spagna’s son was hospitalized and unable to communicate these past two months, she rarely left his side.

“I wanted to be with him all the time,” she said. “I read him books, gave him baths and dressed him in his favorite shirts. We played his favorite songs and talked about his sister and his cousin. I watched his heart rate go up and knew he was listening.”

Soon after Dominic was diagnosed in 2007, Spagna devised a story and gave her son the lead role as the Dominator, her own version of a superhero. She never told him that he had brain cancer. Instead, every time Dominic underwent surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, she told him to think of himself as the Dominator, waging war with an evil enemy that he called a megazoid.

Dominic’s story inspired Dave Anderson, who manages a Bel Air restaurant that the family patronizes. He organized several fundraisers for children with cancer and children’s hospices using Dominic’s Dominator as a symbol. Anderson designed a Dominator costume and frequently wears the red bodysuit with a large navy blue D on the chest during visits to area hospitals.

“The more I got into this, the more I knew this was a powerful story,” Anderson said. “This awesome little boy touched a lot of lives.”

With an assist from area illustrators, he turned the story into a children’s comic book that he hopes will become the child’s legacy. Anderson paid nearly $9,000 to design, create and copyright the Dominator and to publish 2,000 copies of the book. More than 1,000 copies have been sold since the $5 book came out in August, with proceeds from sales benefiting children’s cancer research.

Dominic “saw the comic book a few months ago and gave it a thumbs-up,” said Nicole Spagna. “He got to meet the Dominator, too,” when Anderson visited him.

Throughout numerous hospitalizations, Dominic had finished kindergarten and begun first grade at Homestead-Wakefield Elementary School in Bel Air.

“When they tested him for first grade, he was right where he should have been,” Nicole Spagna said.

Dyann Mack, the school’s assistant principal, said, “He really could light up the room and was just a joy to his classmates and the staff.”

School fascinated Dominic, his mother said.

“He loved math and doing all his schoolwork,” she said. “He loved all the rules, never used bad words and always did the right thing. As soon as we got in the car, he would remind me to put on my seat belt.”

Nicole Spagna said she wants her son’s story to help other children coping with cancer.

“I feel so lucky and blessed to have been his mother,” she said.

Monique Spagna said her grandson “did God’s work on Earth. The comic book will go on helping other kids, and we are working to have a child’s room included in the new Harford County Hospice in his memory.”

Additional survivors include his father, Chris Osorio of Bel Air, and his grandfather, Louis Spagna of Indianapolis.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete Friday.

Copyright © 2009, The Baltimore Sun

Source: The Baltimore Sun

 

N.C. Police Charge Couple in Missing Girl Case

By Associated Press
November 16, 2009

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — The location and fate of a 5-year-old girl reported missing by her mother was unknown even after authorities charged the mother with human trafficking and other offenses.

Antoinette Nicole Davis, the mother of Shaniya Davis, faces a child abuse charge involving prostitution as well as filing a false police report, according to a Saturday news release from the Fayetteville Police Department.

The release did not say whether the charges were related to her daughter’s disappearance, but The Fayetteville Observer reported that arrest records indicated they were.

According to arrest documents cited by the newspaper, Davis “knowingly provide(d) Shaniya Davis with the intent that she be held in sexual servitude” and she “permit(ted) an act of prostitution.”

Telephone messages and an e-mail left for police were not returned.

Shaniya’s mother reported the girl missing Tuesday morning from a mobile home community in Fayetteville, and authorities began searching nearby wooded areas. The following day a man described as Davis’ girlfriend was arrested in the kidnapping but later released.

Police then said a hotel worked spotted a child matching Shaniya’s description at a Sanford hotel about 40 miles from Fayetteville on Tuesday. Authorities reviewed surveillance video and, after speaking with family members, confirmed the child’s identity.

Surveillance footage showed Mario Andrette McNeill carrying Shaniya into a hotel room, and he was arrested and charged with kidnapping Friday.

Authorities have said McNeill admitted to taking the girl, though his attorney says he will plead not guilty to the charge. They have not said if McNeill and Davis knew each other.

An official at the Cumberland County Detention Center said Davis was still being booked and it was unclear whether she had an attorney. Her first court appearance would likely be Monday.

Shaniya’s father, Bradley Lockhart, told The Associated Press he raised his daughter for several years but last month decided to let her stay with her mother. He said Davis struggled financially over the years, but she recently obtained a job and her own place, so Lockhart decided to give her a chance to raise their daughter.

“I should’ve never let her go over there,” he said Saturday night.

Lockhart said police have not told him whether they are any closer to finding his daughter.

“I just want her to come back safe my friend,” he said. “I love her very much and I hope she is OK.”

He described his relationship with Davis as a “one-night stand” and said he and Davis never argued about him raising Shaniya.

“Shaniya is a precious young lady and she is special,” Lockhart said.

Lockhart said he did not know McNeill.

Source: Fox News

Editor’s Note: America have you hugged your child today? Do you know where your child is right now? Who their friends are? There is nothing more important in life than your children, not money, not your job or anything else.

We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Scholastic New Kid Reporters Announced!

By Shelby Fallin
November 16, 2009

Seasoned Kid Reporter checks out the new team.

The new team of Scholastic Kid Reporters was announced today. Some of the new reporters have already had stories published. They are all working on an important first assignment about the economy.

I’ll never forget my first assignment. I covered a memorial service in central Florida for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. I then went on to cover the 2008 presidential election, which was an incredible challenge and unforgettable adventure! I even got to go to New York City for Election Day!

I spoke to one of the new Kid Reporters after his first assignment last week. Gowtham Balaji lives in East Brunswick, New Jersey, and is one of the 37 new reporters on the 2009-2010 team. Usually, only 25 new reporters are picked each year.

“We had more applications than ever this year,” said Editor Suzanne Freeman. “The quality of applications was really high, too.”

Gowtham’s first assignment took him to New York City to the Scholastic Headquarters in SoHo. He covered a live webcast featuring all five of the authors of The 39 Clues series. The webcast kicked off the release of Book 6 in the 10-book series.

After the webcast, Gowtham interviewed Jude Watson, author of Book 6: In Too Deep. Gowtham is not only a fan of the 39 Clues series, he is an avid reader of Watson’s Star Wars series as well. Watson clued him in on a big Book 6 secret.

“She said one of the main characters dies,” he said. “I am wondering who.” Watson wouldn’t tell him, but by the time you read this, Gowtham will know. When I interviewed him, he was busy reading Book 6 so he could write the review.

I asked him how he felt when he learned he was one of the recent additions to the Scholastic Kids Press Corp.

“I felt excited because I know I will experience a lot of cool events,” he said. “But I also know it is going to be a lot of work.”

Like all the other members of the press corps, Gowtham is busy working on a new Special Report.

“The Editor asked me to do some research about the economy and how it is affecting my community,” he said. “Next week I have to write about that.”

As more assignments come in, Gowtham is hoping to meet a few celebrities.

“I’m looking forward to meeting famous people and learning about them,” he said. He especially hopes to get an assignment about Major League Baseball. “Since I am a BIG baseball fan, I would like to cover a big news story about the World Series,” he said.

I told him to talk to Ms. Freeman. She’s a big fan, too. She and I went to spring training last March where I interviewed one of the newest members of the Tampa Bay Rays pitching rotation, David Price. The story ran in Scholastic News Edition 4.

I have a few other tips for all the new Kid Reporters coming on board this week. Work hard, have fun, and be prepared for anything!

Oh, yeah! Here are the names of the rest of the Kid Reporters chosen this year:

 

Andre Baker, Cleveland, Ohio

Gowtham Balaji, East Brunswick, New Jersey

Nick Berray, Washington, D.C.

Christopher Campbell, Bronx, New York

N’Naserri Carew-Johnson, Atlanta, Georgia

Liam Childers, Charlotte, North Carolina

Samantha Coffey, Sleepy Hollow, New York

Alexis Cornell, Evanston, Wyoming

Julia Desmond, Davidson, North Carolina

Henry Dunkelberger, Washington, D.C.

Shelby Fairleigh, Horseshoe Bay, Texas

Kenny Figueroa, Houston, Texas

Kiera Fobb, Homestead, Florida

Cecilia Gault, New York, New York

Alysa Goethe, Bettendorf, Iowa

Lily Haffey, Lexington, Kentucky

Emma Hall, Franklin, Tennessee

Susan Hepburn, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Madeleine Horner, Leucadia, California

Jonas Hosmer, Potomac, Maryland

Charlie Kadado, Macomb, Michigan

Jordan Kahrhoff, St. Peters, Missouri

Andrew Liang, Alpharetta, Georgia

Topanga McBride, Windsor, Colorado

Grace McManus, New York, New York

Joseph O’Connor, Bayside, New York

Kaj Lund Olsen, Greenbank, Washington

Maria Ordoñez, Miami, Florida

Isabelle Quinn, Woodway Washington

Miranda Rector, Los Angeles, California

Mariah Reynolds, Cincinnati, Ohio

Kayla Rudess, New City, New York

Erin Sheena, Bellaire, Texas

Christian Snyder, Reynoldsburg, Ohio

Jeremy Sutton, Chicago, Illinois

Maya Williams, Phoenix, Arizona

Alexandra Zhang, Washington, D.C.

Now get to work, Everyone!

Source: Scholastic News Online

 

Editor’s Note: If you would like to be a Young Chronicle Reporter, we are looking for you.  You can contact us at dan@youngchronicle.com

Taylor Swift Makes History and Wins Big

By Chloe Anello
November 14, 2009

Editor’s Note: Singing sensation Taylor Swift made music history when she became the youngest person ever to be named ‘Entertainer of the Year’ at the Country Music Awards last week.

The 19-year-old also took home awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year for her song “Love Story,” and Album of the Year with “Fearless.”

Kid Reporter Chloe Anello recently attended a Taylor Swift concert at Madison Square Garden (see blog post below). A year ago, Kid Reporter Sydney Rieckhoff had a sit down interview Swift. Check it out by clicking here!

But first, relive Chloe’s concert experience in New York City.

—Editor Suzanne Freeman

 

Concert Sensation

Going to your first concert is a whole different musical experience from listening to recorded music. For me music came alive when Taylor Swift preformed in Madison Square Garden recently. The sold-out crowd was a sea of tween and teen girls, all fans of 19-year-old singer/songwriter.

The night started off with videos of Swift and her friends Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, and Lucas Till talking about their definition of the word fearless. After all it was the Fearless tour!

Swift took the stage in a marching band uniform singing the song “You Belong with Me.” In the middle of the song she pulled off the band uniform to reveal a sparkly fringe dress.

After a couple songs everyone noticed that only the band was on stage. Swift was missing. Then the screams began. I looked to my left and there she was, standing in the aisles. Fans were climbing on seats to get pictures, while others were running to get close to her. It took a while for her to get back to the stage with all the fans trying to hug her or take a picture with her. Once she was on stage she was surprised with a seven-minute standing ovation from adoring and appreciative fans.

For her hit song “Love Story,” the stage transformed into a castle scene. Swift performed in a red dress until back up dancers pulled it off of her revealing another dress, this one white. Swift took off her tiara and gave it to a little girl up front. That sure made one little girl’s day!

Taylor gave two encores. On her last one, there was an amazing special effect that I’ve never seen before. She was singing her song “Should’ve Said No” and at the end water cascaded right on top of her. The water rained down in sheets with the lyrics of the song reflected on it. It was an amazing way to end the show. I’ll never forget it.

—Chloe Anello

Editor’s Note: PHOTO: Taylor Swift with Kid Reporter Sydney Rieckhoff. (Photo courtesy Sydney Rieckhoff)

We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

 

Source: Scholastic News Online

My Best Friend Rocco

By Danielle Azzolina
November 15, 2009

Rocco Fiorentino heads a foundation to help people like him who are blind.

After getting to know my friend Rocco Fiorentino, I have gained a new awareness and appreciation of what a visually impaired person can do.

When I am hanging out with Rocco, I sometimes forget that he is blind. We made a music CD together for fun and it was amazing to watch the way Rocco handled all the equipment. He was the sound engineer and worked the sound mixers and recording instruments with skill and confidence. He also beat me in Wii bowling 171 to 172!

Rocco is only 12 years old and he is already an accomplished musician. He plays the piano, drums, and saxophone. He also sings!

Knowing Rocco has shown me that one person’s life story can make a huge difference in the world. He has also shown me that the resources to help blind children be as accomplished as he is are scarce.

Rocco and his parents started an organization called The Little Rock Foundation to help kids who don’t have access to the education they need to live fulfilling lives. To me, Rocco, has the same spirit, strength, and determination as Helen Keller, who did so much in her lifetime to help the blind community.

You can read more about Rocco and check out an interview I had with Helen Keller’s great grand niece Keller Johnson-Thompson, who is continuing Helen Keller’s legacy:

• Helen Keller’s Legacy: Keller Johnson-Thompson discusses the life and contributions of her Great Grand Aunt Helen Keller.

• In Helen Keller’s Footsteps: Rocco Fiorentino talks about how Keller inspires him to continue her legacy of education and assistance for the blind.

You can also find out how you can help by checking out Rocco’s website, The Little Rock Foundation. Thanks!

PHOTO: Rocco Fiorentino (left) and Kid Reporter Danielle Azzolina (right) at the New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center in Trenton, New Jersey. (Photo Courtesy Danielle Azzolina)

Source: Scholastic News Online

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

What to do in Emergency?

By McGruff and Scruff
Nov. 14, 2009

In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime.

An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept.

In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.

Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.

The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates.

YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.

The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.

I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer.

Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.

This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?

You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books.

Today we will talk about: What to do in Emergency?

 

 

An emergency is a time when you need help from a police officer, firefighter, or doctor. Take these steps to make sure you’re prepared:

• Know your full name, parents’ full names, address (including city and state), and phone number (including area code).
• Memorize your parents work and cell phone numbers.
• Ask your parents to post a list of emergency numbers you may need by the phone.
• With an adult, talk about different times you may need help and what you should do.
• With your parents, pick a safe place you can go to near your house if you need help right away.

If there’s an emergency,

• Go to a safe place right away.
• Call 911 or dial 0. (Ask an adult which is best.) Remember you can call both for free from a pay phone.
• The operator will ask you what the emergency is, your name, full address, and phone number.

 

Source:  McGruff

www.mcgruff.org

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Alexander: Birthday Parties

By Alexander
Nov. 15, 2009 

 

Dear Alexander,

(Q) I have gone to lots of birthday parties and I have always gotten to eat the birthday cake. But I just found out I am allergic to tree nuts and now my mom and dad say we have to bring our own safe treat to parties. Why can’t I eat the birthday cake if I was always able to eat it before?

 

(A) Sometimes cake contains tree nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds, to name just a few. Just because you cannot see the tree nuts in the cake, does not mean they are not there. Sometimes cakes are made in bakeries or kitchens that use tree nuts for other baked goods, so a cake made without tree nuts might accidentally come into contact with them, making it unsafe to eat. That is why you must not eat cake unless your mom says it is “safe.”

If your parents want you to take your own treat to the party, maybe you could ask your friend what flavor cake he or she will be having and you can help your mom and dad make an allergy-free version of the same thing.

Good luck!

Your friend,

Alexander the Elephant

 

Source: Food Allergy

 

Editor’s Note: The above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.

We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

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