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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #138
November 29, 2002
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Dear Subscriber:

It seems that, lately, I have been preoccupied with the 
goings-on of the previous generation.

I guess it is because, though a series of events, I have been
made aware of how important the 65-plus crowd is to us.

Perhaps it is the urgency of the fact that they will not be
with us forever. I may also be suffering from the fear that
the lessons they taught us are not sticking very well.

To that generation, marriage vows were meant to be kept. 'Till-
death-do-us-part meant something. Nowadays, divorce is like
going to J.C. Penny's for a new sweater. People don't seem to
take responsibility for their own actions like they used to.
Accordingly, many in my generation seem to think they're owed
something. In that generation's day, they worked out their
differences. Nowadays people file lawsuits. Somewhere over
the past thirty years or so, the threads of our society got
crossed.

My mom invited us to her retirement community's Thanksgiving
function in Lubbock last week. It was pot luck.

Imagine this. Thirty women that have each been cooking for an
individual average of about 50 years. Each was asked to bring a
dish.

Obviously they're going to prepare their best creation. It was
a lot like a county fair competition.

It was a gastronomic dream. Rows upon rows of secret recipes
in the form of deviled eggs, salads, pies, cakes, casseroles
and desserts that were never given a name, except for "Mom's
Famous." Name a restaurant anywhere in the world and I will
place this menu selection above them all.

There were a hundred or so people there. Mom and a dozen other
ladies organized the event. Like it was when I was growing up,
the men seemed to congregate just in time to eat.

I didn't get the lady's name that played the piano while the
rest of us dined, but she was accomplished and I'm sure she did
it for the pure enjoyment of it. In my mind, I pictured her as
the entertainment of choice at many functions past. Her only
demand was that her tea glass remain filled. Her virtuosity
prompted a couple of guys to step up to the piano and sing 
along. The jury is still out on their talents, but everyone
seemed to enjoy it.

I can't recall seeing that many smiles and laughs and pats on
the back and hugs in one place...and there was nothing
plastic about it. It was a group that genuinely enjoyed each
other's company.

I ate too much. Everybody there ate too much, but there was
plenty to go around. Since I was near the end of the serving
line, I missed out on the deviled eggs. I'm still pouting.

I've viewed holidays past as a pain in the behind. It seems
during a time when everyone in supposed to make merry, there
are often hurt feelings or expectations falling short of
fruition.

Lately I've gotten past that, thanks in part to experiences
like Mom's Thanksgiving party.

I guess I'm still learning how to be a grown-up.

Happy Holidays, everyone. This time I really mean it.

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. VILLAGE NEWS
3. INSIDE THE SHOP -- BLUE WATER REAL ESTATE
4. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- NATIONAL SOLAR OBSERVATORY
5. Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE 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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New snow on Tuesday. About 6 inches. More expected during the
rest of the week. If it is significant, we'll update it on
Cloudcroft.com. Enough on the ground right now for tubing in
many spots. Highs in the low-40s. Lows in the single digits.
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VILLAGE NEWS
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Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association has been
allowed a 110 million dollar loan from the Federal government
to complete a power plant near Lordsburgh, according to the
Cloudcroft Mountain Monthly.

The power company supplies power to electric cooperatives in
four states, including New Mexico and Otero County (Cloudcroft
is in Otero County).
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- BLUE WATER REAL ESTATE
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Three offices in the Sacramento mountain area. Whether you're
looking for a home or cabin... acreage or a building lot... a
farm, ranch or commercial property... call Blue Water Real
Estate for all your real estate needs.

For more information, click on the link to our Web Site on the
Real Estate page of Cloudcroft.com:

http://www.cloudcroft.com/real.htm

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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- NATIONAL SOLAR OBSERVATORY
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The Visitors Center at the National Solar Observatory is a
great place to visit, year-around. It is a brief and beautiful
drive from Cloudcroft.

http://www.sunspot.noao.edu/sunspot/pr/visitors_center_2.html

Kit Richards has kindly provided this photo of the Solar
Observatory.

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

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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - We own a two-wheel-drive vehicle. Is it safe to come to
Cloudcroft in the winter?

A - When the snow falls in the Sacramento Mountains, both
county and state snow removal vehicles go into action
immediately. They work hard to keep the main roads clear. The
area economy depends upon safe travel for our visitors.

To be on the safe side, bring a set of snow chains. If you're
unfamiliar with how to put the chains on your vehicle, there
are people here that are willing to help. During snow days, 
DRIVE CAREFULLY!

Check with the village office if you're in need of assistance.
(505-682-2411) or after hours, call the Otero County Sheriffs
office (505-437-2210).
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COMING EVENTS
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November 30 -- Santa Town at Zenith Park

December 7 (Pearl Harbor Day) -- 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've been receiving your newsletter now for just about a year
now. I've been chatting with a family that lives in Albuquerque
and has gotten me "homesick" for New Mexico. Chatting with them
gave me a few ideas on "surfing" for web sites about Cloudcroft,
High Rolls, and Alamogordo and i came across your newsletter.

I was born in Alamogordo and moved to Ohio in 1971. I haven't
been back there since and I do miss it. My folks and I used to
go camping up in Cloudcroft and we even owned a lot up there. I
can still remember the forest, the "clean" air, and the breeze
whistling through the pine trees. 

Your newsletter #137 gave me the incentive to write an email;
especially after seeing the beautiful pics by Kit Richards.
Other web sites I have visited have pics of the Tunnel at
Overlook....which I still remember what it looks like. Up the
road from there used to be a spring on the right side of the
road, as you are headed to High Rolls, that had fresh water
running all year round. 

I would love to meet some people from Alamogordo, Cloudcroft,
and even El Paso (I lived there from 1968-1971) that could take
some pics of certain areas and email them to me. My wife has
asked me about taking a vacation to your area, however, I told
her if I would ever return there, I'd never come back to Ohio.
My name is Karl France. My email addy is w8fmd@aol.com . I want
to thank you for bringing back memories of over 30 years. Keep
up the good work. Lincoln National Park is definitely GOD'S 
COUNTRY. 

Karl France

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