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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #137
November 22, 2002
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Dear Subscriber:

Why can't I have normal friends?

I guess the answer to that is "Birds of a Feather...".

Peg and I visited a couple of friends in the Hill Country of
Texas. We know Bruce and Vicky through a complicated
entanglement of marriages and divorces.

That's a whole 'nother story.

Bruce called a few weeks ago and said, "Come see our new house."

Since Bruce is bigger than I am (and I think he knows some
pretty shady characters), I couldn't say no, so we made the 8
hour drive this past Sunday. Besides, a visit with Bruce and
Vicky is always a treat.

The reason I'm telling you about this is because of that house
they built.

People say "I built a house," which means they hired a
contractor and walked through the project every few days to be
sure it was done to their liking. Bruce and Vicky actually
BUILT this house. They have the calluses to prove it.

They met us at the front gate of their small ranch on their
John Deere six-wheel and escorted us to the back side of a big
tin barn.

I had been driving for hours. I told Peggy, "I hope they don't
want us to take a tour of their warehouse. I'm tired."

Peggy said, "Be nice."

Bruce jumped off the John Deere and with the enthusiasm and
the smile that has always made it easy to like him, he said,
"Welcome to our house."

I had always known Bruce to be the unpredictable type, but I
thought the man had finally lost his mind.

We tentatively followed them in through a wooden door cut into
the side of the barn.

We entered and Peg and I had the same reaction. Our respective
jaws dropped.

It was like a cathedral. A huge great-room with a ceiling about
18 feet high at its apex. At one end the wall was a giant rock
facade for the fireplace. A huge wagon wheel chandelier
ornamented with elk horns accented the great-room. It was all
done in weathered wood and mesquite. It was exquisite. I could
try and describe the rest of the house, but it would be futile
without a gallery of pictures.

Bruce has always been self-employed. He's a self-taught expert
welder-woodsmith-hunter-builder-politician-BSer. He was a county
commissioner and decided he had had all that fun he could stand,
and decided not to run again. I admire Bruce. He extracts great
pleasure out of doing things for others. He has more energy than
three of me.

Our first night at Bruce's house, he made us chicken fried deer
steaks.

I hate venison.

I was trying to find an excuse to leave and go get a Whataburger
but, being a good guest, I stayed for the deer steaks.

They were delicious. I became a venison convert. The next
night it was quail. Also prepared to perfection. Bruce says
it's all in how you process and prepare the meat. I'll take
his word for it.

In between wild-game gourmet meals, I helped Bruce and a hired
hand build a wellhouse (which is to say, I did my part by acting
as go-fer and otherwise staying out of the way).

Peggy and I left Bruce and Vicky's house Wednesday, rejuvenated
with the feelings of having enjoyed true no-strings-attached
friendship.

My life in Cloudcroft is a perpetual vacation. I guess you
could call our trip to Bruce and Vicky's, a vacation vacation.

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

PS -- Bruce Oeler's mesquite wood business is featured on
HGTV's "Dream Builders." Check local listings. See his web
site at

http://www.mesquitelumber.com/

Except for the deer steaks and the quail, I didn't get a dang
thing for this plug.

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. SPECIAL -- SEASONSCAPE, PHOTO 3
3. VILLAGE NEWS
4. INSIDE THE SHOP -- HARRY WOOD
5. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- OLIVER LEE STATE PARK
6. Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
7. COMING EVENTS
8. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
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LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
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Mild days. No new snow since early last week. Lows around 20.
Highs reaching 50 at times.
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SPECIAL -- SEASONSCAPE, PHOTO 3
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The SeasonScape photo experiment by Kit Richards continues:

http://www.cloudcroft.com/photos/seasonscape.htm

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VILLAGE NEWS
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Our sources tell us The Aspen Motel and Restaurant will re-open
soon under new ownership.

The new owners are a couple from Waco. They are scheduled to be
in Cloudcroft next week to begin renovation of the property,
which has been vacant for several months.
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- HARRY WOOD
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New Mexico Big Game Hunts: Elk, Mule Deer, Bear, Mountain Lion,
Turkey. High success, excellent guides. Bow, rifle,
muzzleloader. Contact Harry Wood Guide and Outfitter,
4184 CR149, Centerville, TX 75833, (903) 536-7130.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- OLIVER LEE STATE PARK
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Oliver Lee is one of the most colorful figures in Sacramanto
Mountain history.

http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/nmparks/

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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - When is Ski Cloudcroft due to open?

A - Opening date (weather permitting) is December 18th.
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COMING EVENTS
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November 23 -- Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce annual banquet.
Lodge Pavilion.

November 24 - Community Thanksgiving Service, First Baptist
Church. 7pm. Everyone is welcome.

November 30 -- Santa Town at Zenith Park

December 7 -- Santa Town at Zenith Park.

December 14 -- Santa Town at Zenith Park.

December 15 -- Community Christmas Cantata, 4pm. at Cloudcroft
United Methodist Church

December 18 -- Planned opening of Ski Cloudcroft.

December 21 -- Santa Town at Zenith Park.

December 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 7pm. at Cloudcroft
United Methodist Church

December 31 -- New Year's Eve torch light parade at Ski
Cloudcroft.

Cloudcroft Art Society meets the second Sunday of each month,
2-4pm, in the Old Red Brick School House. The Society will be
having an Art Sale and Show November 29, 30 and December 1, 7,
8, 14, 15 at the Old Red Brick School House, 11am - 3pm.
Art Party Dec 8, 2-4pm, also at the Old Red Brick School House.
Call (505) 682-2494 for more information.

Mountain Garden Club meets every third Monday of each month.
Call (505) 682-2910 for more information.

Senior Van from Timberon to Alamogordo leaves the Timberon
Lodge promptly at 8:30 every Tuesday morning.

Free Vitals Clinic. Cloudcroft Senior Citizens Center, every
Wednesday. High Rolls Senior Citizens Center, first Thursday
of each month.

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For an online calendar of area events, click the Events Calendar
link in the left column of our home page:

http://www.cloudcroft.com/index.html

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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Dear Newsletter:

I have been driving by the metal building at mile marker 25 on
US 82 since it was built and wonder what the MDWCA is?

Lynn Rice

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Dear Newsletter:

I just got through reading your latest installment and I had to
wipe the tears from my eyes. I immediately sent my brothers a
copy of the newsletter and a short note telling them how much
I appreciated them and loved them.

When my wife had to have surgery at the Mayo Clinic last year,
both my brothers took off work and went with us. Through my
wife's nine-hour surgery, they were there and helped me stay
fairly calm. They stayed a week and did many things to make it
easier on us.

As I read your story it brought back many feelings and reminded
me of the love that the brothers have for each other.

Thanks,
David Hanebutt
Stephenville, Texas

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Dear Newsletter:

I also enjoy your newsletters as do many others apparently.
Cloudcroft sounds like a great place to visit and possibly to
live. My husband and I are looking forward to retirement in
about a year. 

In the short couple of months that I have been reading about
your village it seems that many of us are entertaining the idea
of descending on your fair town in "a year or so". Makes me
think that your village may not be so fair if indeed we all
decide to settle there. 

Along that line I noticed mention of an upcoming meeting of the
Water Network - a group that wants to find ways to improve upon
the water shortage in your area. Perhaps you will consider
writing about this water problem. You know - as a public service
for those us who don't live there? 

Knowledge is power and maybe some of us might be wise to rethink
Cloudcroft as the idea retirement location. Thanks for your very
interesting, friendly newsletter! 

Diana 
Colorado Springs, CO.

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Dear Newsletter:

Now you've gone and done it. Not much can get this grumpy old
fogey to choke up, but your reminiscences of brother Dick did
just that. Not because I have similar memories of brotherhood,
rather you reminded me of all I missed not having had a brother.
I did have three sisters - but that is another story....

Luckily I have two fine sons who are as close as you and Dick
are. But how I wish I could have had a brother to share my
youth with. You should be even more thankful knowing that there
are those of us who envy you and Dick so. And before I forget,
let me include that I also have a daughter who shares my fate.
She never had a sister to share her youth with.

Oftentimes life just ain't fair.

All the best,
Jack Schuller
Ruidoso

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Dear Newsletter:

Friends of ours come to your city each year and rave about the
beauty. I have been looking at coming over Christmas break,
stay in town and go skiing with my family...just like they do.
Have been looking over some of the websites and signed up for
your newsletter. What a treat!

I received the last issue regarding you and your wife...hit
right at home. I can't stand a minute without mine either. There
are a lucky few that can understand this. I never get tired of
hearing her laugh and tell funny stories...married to a
kindergarten teacher is the best. 

Also appreciated the article about your brother. My brother the
cop has been on a different wave length most of his life, but
I'd be at his bedside and he at mine given the circumstances.
Thanks for reminding me to call him to say, "hi and how's
everything?" 

Thanks so much for the newsletter and the thoughts you put in.
Slowing down and smelling the roses hasn't always been my strong
suit. Sure appreciate your work.

Chris Donielson
Head Golf Coach
University of Texas/San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas 

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Dear Newsletter:

Well, thanks a lot!!

I'm up here on my computer, wasting a few minutes before I
attack the grocery store, and I happened upon your latest
newsletter.

Now, before I go to the store, I have got to go adjust my eye
shadow, etc. Your missive about your brother really teared me
up! It was a lovely piece. I attended my brother's retirement
from the Army this summer, and even though there's a few more
years between us, I did realize that brothers, although pains
in the neck, sometimes, are special people.

I love your newsletter. 

Carol Koss
El Paso, Texas

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Dear Newsletter:

May 1993, we flew from Washington State to New Mexico and spent
two wonderful weeks driving around your state.

As I'm an amateur astronomer, I was able to meet Howard and
Trudy Brewington. We had dinner and he showed us his telescope
setup for his comet hunting. I know he moved to North or South
Carolina, is going to a university and studying anthropology.
Trudy taught at Cloudcroft when they lived there. He emailed me
when I was trying to look him up and, unfortunately, I didn't
keep the email or his email address.

Was just thinking about him and wanted to have him in my email
address book. Can you help me? We're traveling back down to the
southwest with our 5th wheel this winter and hope to get to
New Mexico again. We loved your little town and the wonderful
locals.

Thanks,
Don & Barb Foley

[If you know the Brewington's email address, send it to us and
we'll pass it on.]

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