+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #10
JUNE 2, 2000
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Subscriber:

It is amazing what a little rain will do for the spirits and the
forest. For the second day in a row (Wednesday) we're getting a
little shower in the Sacramento Mountains. Not near enough yet
to alleviate the fire danger, but enough to freshen things and
bring out the greenness of the area. It is also helping to keep
down the dust, which has become a nuisance in the area.

The National Forest Service says there are still pockets of
flare-ups with the Scott Able Fire, but IT IS 100 PERCENT
CONTAINED with about 100 people still on duty on the fire. A
little rain on that area Tuesday was a big help. A small fire
was put down quickly Tuesday near 16 Springs after burning
about an acre.

The usual rainy season is still some time away, but this little
hint of moisture is welcome.

Meanwhile another major fire has erupted in Northern New Mexico
near Santa Fe. Not much time for fire fighters to catch their
breath after containing the Los Alamos, Scott Able and Ruidoso
fires. The Los Alamos fire has been declared the worst fire
disaster in the history of the state, but the fire season of
2000 in New Mexico, unfortunately, may not be over.

The forest remains closed to visitors but there are a lot of
travelers that have opted for rented cabins instead of tents
and are enjoying the coolness and beauty of the Southern
Rockies. There are also several private RV camps in the area.
They're all open. The Village of Cloudcroft is open as usual
to visitors.

A special thank you to the community of Silver Cloud in
particular and other residents of the Sacramento Mountains
in general for their expression of gratitude for our recent
online coverage of the Scott Able Fire. We were proud to have
had the opportunity to do it. We are committed to being here
for Cloudcroft residents and visitors in the future as well.

Don Vanlandingham
---------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
---------------------------------------------------------------
1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. VILLAGE POLITICS
3. INSIDE THE SHOP -- ENCHANTED ELEMENTS
4. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- WHITE SANDS MONUMENT
5. Q AND A (BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW)
6. COMING EVENTS
7. CONTACT INFORMATION
---------------------------------------------------------------
LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
---------------------------------------------------------------
As we said, the brief rain showers in the Cloudcroft area have
served mostly to lift spirits, but have not been enough to break
the hold of extreme fire danger. Temperatures remain at the
upper end of normal, with highs reaching into the 80s and
evening lows in the lower 40s.
---------------------------------------------------------------
VILLAGE POLITICS
---------------------------------------------------------------
It seems there is always plenty of road construction going on
in the Cloudcroft area. The most ambitious project going on
now is the New Mexico Highway 130 improvement. NM-130 will be
widened and upgraded between the Village and the Sunspot high-
way. The project is said to be ahead of schedule since weather
conditions allowed for work time during normally inclement
periods this past winter.

The other major project is the guardrail replacement and repair
of Highway 82 near the tunnel between Cloudcroft and Alamogordo.
Both projects are causing some delays for traffic.

New Mexico's primary is June 6th, with several county-wide
elections on the ballot.
---------------------------------------------------------------
INSIDE THE SHOP -- ENCHANTED ELEMENTS
---------------------------------------------------------------
There are many unique retail shops in Cloudcroft. That's what
makes the Village so popular with shoppers. One of the newest
is Enchanted Elements...home of original hand-crafted jewelry
created by Goldsmith Frank T. Perea.

You might be surprised at how affordable handcrafted pieces
are. Visit the store when you're in Cloudcroft. They're in
the Village Plaza next to Mountaintop Mercantile. Email them
at e-elements@netmdc.com.
---------------------------------------------------------------
CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
---------------------------------------------------------------
Visitors are always amazed upon their first sight of this
expansive vista of white sand dunes. About 40 minutes from
Cloudcroft, it is one of the most popular "day trips" from the
Village. Guided tours, gift shop, picnic area.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Q AND A (BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Q - We've heard State Police are turning tourists away if
they're trying to enter the Cloudcroft area because of fire
danger. Is this true?

A - In two words, absolutely not. Because of extreme fire
danger, the Forest Service has closed access to campgrounds and
other areas of the forest, but the towns and villages in the
Sacramento Mountains are fully functional and accepting all
visitors. If you are used to camping in the mountains during
your summer visit, perhaps you should opt for staying in a
cabin or rented home this trip. There are also several RV
camps privately operated and open.
---------------------------------------------------------------
COMING EVENTS
---------------------------------------------------------------
June 3 -- National Trails Day

June 3 -- Cloudcroft Concert. Alamogordo Community Orchestra.
Cloudcroft High School Football Field.

June 9 thru 11 -- Western Roundup

June 10, 11 -- Melodrama. 7:30pm in the open air pavilion,
Zenith Park.

June 10, 11 -- Lumberjack Contest. Zenith Park.

June 10 -- Railroad Days Train Display, Cloudcroft Middle
School.

June 14 -- Flag Day ceremony and parade. 5 p.m. on Burro
Avenue.

June 14, 15 -- Cherry Festival. High Rolls.

June 23 thru 25 -- Bluegrass Festival. Open air pavilion.
Zenith Park.

Sundays in June -- Zia Rodders Car Show. Cloudcroft
football field.

Contact the Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce for any
additions or changes in this schedule.
================================================================
CONTACT INFORMATION
================================================================
To UNSUBSCRIBE
----------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, email: unsubscribe@cloudcroft.com
SUGGESTIONS
----------------------------------------------------------------
If you have comments or suggestions for this newsletter, please 
direct them to: newsletter@cloudcroft.com
================================================================
Please feel free to pass this newsletter along to your friends.
However, we ask that you keep it intact and forward it in
its entirety.