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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER # 11
JUNE 9, 2000
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Dear Subscriber:

The first part of next week, Forest Service officials are getting
together to decide what restrictions, if any, will be lifted in
the Lincoln National Forest. By good fortune, the rainy season
in the Sacramento Mountains has begun a little early. Afternoon
rainfall has been the norm just about every day this week with
some decent accumulation in many areas.

In short, it is the time of year in the mountains that most
people seem to enjoy the most. Cool days, misty afternoons and
starry nights. Forest Service fire fighters remain on alert to
see to it that any fires that may get a start don't last long
enough to cause serious damage.

A note from Andy Hospodar this week. He says there is always
a need for new volunteers for the area fire departments and EMS.
If it weren't for the Cloudcroft EMS, I wouldn't be sitting at
this computer terminal today and I watched the fire volunteers
do their thing during the Scott Able Fire. If you want to get
involved in something really worthwhile, contact Andy by email
at andyj@zianet.com.

Don Vanlandingham
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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. VILLAGE POLITICS
3. INSIDE THE SHOP -- CHEEZ-A-SMOKIN
4. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- TUNNEL VISTA
5. Q AND A (BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ON LINE READERS WANT TO KNOW)
6. COMING EVENTS
7. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
8. CONTACT INFORMATION
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LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
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The weather (and its association with fire danger) seems to be
the main topic of conversation around the Village lately. As I
mentioned earlier, we've been getting regular rainfall all week.
Whether or not it is enough to affect the ultra-dry conditions
of the forest remains to be seen. Highs have been in the mid
70s. Lows around 40. There is a change in the restrictions
on forest land anticipated early next week.
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VILLAGE POLITICS
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It looks like Cloudcroft will have its own representative on
the Otero County Board of Commissioners. Micheal Nivison, a
long time resident of the Village, former mayor of Cloudcroft
and current Village administrator was elected as the Republican
candidate for District 3. He will run unopposed for that
position in November. Among Nivison's many accomplishments, he
was mayor when the Village began plans to open a community
library. Because of his work on the project, the library bears
his name. The Nivison Library is located in the old Cloudcroft
school house/community center.
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- CHEEZ-A-SMOKIN
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It was simple good fortune that Ruth Ann Bland came upon a
vintage recipe for smoked cheese several years ago. It was
then that Cheez-a-Smokin' was born. Ruth Ann also has the
video rental store on Highway 82 near the cable office. The
cheese recipes are as old as the country itself, having been
brought to the new world by colonists in the 1700s. See Cheez-
a-Smokin's web link on Cloudcroft.com.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- THE TUNNEL VISTA
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If you live outside the area, you may have seen the tunnel on
Highway 82 between Cloudcroft and Alamogordo and didn't realize
it. It has been featured in dozens of nationally televised
commercials over the years (usually new car ads). The tunnel
was cut through the mountainside during the construction of
Highway 82 in the mid 40s. There is a large and accommodating
rest area near the tunnel, affording a panoramic view of White
Sands, the Tularosa Basin and the San Andreas Mountains. The
tunnel is 6 miles East of Alamogordo on the highway to
Cloudcroft.
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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - Is the danger of catastrophic fire passed in the Cloudcroft
area?

A - No, but because of regular rains the past several days and
a more heightened state of awareness by fighters and officials,
the chances of a fire the magnitude of the recent Scott Able
Fire near Weed is greatly reduced. Actually the rainy season
also brings with it the hazard of lightning strikes, probably
the most common source of fire in the forest. We have been
told for decades that forest fires are tragic and preventable
events. The fact is forest fires are a natural occurrence and
serve to thin and re-establish overgrown and diseased areas of
the forest. The problem in our area, according to many experts,
is actually too much control. Old growth brought about by
restricted harvesting and grazing is very thick and can ignite
in a hurry. It is a highly controversial subject. Many nature-
lovers want to save each and every tree. Experts in the area
of ecology will tell you that is an attitude that has brought
on the unhealthy status of the forest.
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COMING EVENTS
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June 9 thru 11 -- Western Roundup. Parade, Pie Auction, BBQ
Dinner, Street Dance Sat 7 to 11 - Burro Avenue.

June 10, ll -- 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. 5pm on Burro Avenue.

June 17, 18 -- 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.

July 4 -- Fireworks display. Space Center, Alamogordo (note:
no fireworks are allowed in forest areas).
This year, Cloudcroft's July Jamboree has been moved from the
4th weekend to the weekend of the 15th and 16th.

For changes or additions to this schedule, contact the
Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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Dear Newsletter:

Just want to say, THANK YOU, for the newsletter. Our place in 
the mountains is in Piney Woods. Being able to have an 
information source is a great benefit. Keep up the good work. 
Again, THANKS, for all the work you do.

Bill & Connie Newpher
Granbury, Texas

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Dear Newsletter:

I am from Artesia or that is my home town, My niece that still 
lives there sent me a newsletter from you and I truly enjoyed it 
and would enjoy recieving more. I live in North Carolina and 
that is a long way from home. I enjoy any thing coming from 
where I grew up and you are doing a wonderful job.

Lottie Thornton

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