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Cloudroft Online Newsletter #14
June 30, 2000
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Dear Subscriber:

In the over 15 years I have been a part of Cloudcroft (including
the last five years as a full-time resident), I can't remember a
wetter June. Just about every day of the month has seen some
measure of moisture. The Forest Service is lifting its
restrictions in measured increments. This week they decided to
allow campfires in hosted campgrounds only. One would think
they are being too careful, it has become awfully wet in the
Sacramentos, but it is easy to forget that just a few weeks ago
it was bone dry and it takes some time to replenish that
moisture.

A rule of journalism: it is better to omit a story than to get
it wrong. I find myself apologizing yet another time for mis-
information. The Timberon 4th of July parade is not on the 4th,
it's on the 1st (this Saturday). Sorry for any inconvenience our
mis-report may have caused.

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 -- GARRISON'S GALLERY
4. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- ALEMEDA PARK ZOO
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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The rainy season has come early to the Sacramentos, but no one is
complaining. Frequent rainfall has taken away some of the fire
danger and, as we mentioned, the Forest Service is lifting
restrictions a little each week. While temperatures on sun-shiny
days range from high's in the mid-70s to lows in the mid-40s, 
cloudy days are another matter. Rainy day highs are usually in 
the mid-50s to low-60s. There has been more of the cloudy/rainy 
weather than the sunny weather this past week.
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VILLAGE POLITICS
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Lots of moving and shaking at the Cloudcroft office of the
National Forest Service this past month.

Mark Crites, Max Goodwin, Mike Atkinson and Earlene Ellett have
all moved out of the Sacramento office due to reassignment or 
promotion. Atkinson is moving to Arizona to take another NFS job.
Ellett has received a promotion and will relocate to the 
Alamogordo office. Crites has taken a reassignment in Colorado, 
and Goodwin is moving to the regional office in Albuquerque.
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INSIDE THE SHOP --GARRISON'S GALLERY
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Wayne Garrison specializes in oils and his subjects range from
abstract to surrealism. You can visit his gallery without even
leaving the comfort of your own home. Just visit the Cloudcroft.
com website, click on shopping and there you will find Garrison's
web page, complete with a collection of his recent work. Ain't
cyberspace grand?!
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- ALAMEDA PARK ZOO
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There aren't many communities the size of Alamogordo that can lay
claim to a zoo of the caliber of The Alameda Park Zoo. Birds and
Animals native to the Southwest and some that aren't. Just a
30 minute drive from Cloudcroft, it is one of the favorite "day-
trips" of Cloudcroft visitors. The zoo is located on White Sands
Blvd. in Alamogordo.
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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - Are most of the Forest Service hiking trails wheelchair
accessible around Cloudcroft?

A - Obviously due to the terrain some trails would be considered
difficult to negotiate by wheelchair, but the Forest Service is
always conscious of creating accessible areas when planning new
trails and recreational areas and re-doing existing areas.
There is even a hiking trail in the Cloudcroft area designed
specifically for the sight impaired, complete with trail markers
in Braille. Call the Sacramento District Forest Service office
(1-505-682-2551) for details.
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COMING EVENTS
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CORRECTION -- The Timberon 4th of July Parade is scheduled for
this Saturday (July 1) instead of July 4th as was reported in the
last issue of the newsletter.

July 4 -- Fireworks display. Space Center in Alamogordo.

July 13, 14 and July 21, 22 -- Melodrama. Cloudcroft Light Opera
Company (CLOC). Open Air Pavilion, Zenith Park.

July 15, 16 -- July Jamboree. Crafts fair, horseshoe tournament,
food and drinks. Zenith Park.

July 13 thru 17 -- Cloudcroft school reunion. Call 682 2098 for
details.

July 22 -- Chili cook-off. Call 682-2733 to enter or for further
details.

For more information on these and other events, contact the
Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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Dear Newsletter:

Since all the subscribers, myself included, are always interested 
in the news and happenings of the Village and its people, what 
about a column that lists residents personal homepages or 
business pages (either locals or the "wannabes...like me) and 
also websites that pertain to the area... so the ones of us that 
aren't lucky enough to either live there or get there very often 
get a chance to "see" some of the sights, etc? Personally, I have 
withdrawals from the mountains... I know that I can't smell the 
air, but I sure would like to see some photos... maybe some 
scanned or sent via a digital camera.

It would also be a way for us, the subscribers, to get to know 
each other and correspond with the people with whom we have an 
interest.

Just my thoughts...

Marlene Skaggs
Canyon Lake,TX

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Dear Newsletter:

Like all of the other people who have sent letters to your news-
letter, I too am feeling "out of place" when not in Cloudcroft. 
I have lived on and off in Cloudcroft every year since I was a 
child, and I have had the pleasure of getting to know many of the 
full-timers, all of whom are extremely nice, patient, and helpful. 
I have recently tried to find employment up there, so that I 
could fulfill my dream of living there full time. However, I have 
found a job--or rather, it found me--in Cape Cod, helping to 
protect the environment while at the same time, being able to use 
my journalism skills!! A match made in heaven!

I am planning on keeping an e-diary of my adventures in Cape Cod, 
revolving around my research on environmental/community issues, 
such as water conservation, trail maintenance, and forestry, as 
well as (of course) possible Kennedy sightings :)

I will be leaving for MA in late September, but I will be spending 
lots of time in Cloudcroft before then, no doubt!! I love 
Cloudcroft, and I wish I had found a full-time position up there. 
I was graciously offered various part-time or retail positions, 
and to that I am so thankful, but unfortunately I realized that 
I would be of more service, and would be more experienced, only 
if I accepted a position that utilized my journalism and public 
relations background. BUT HAVING SAID THAT--If any of y'all up 
there need any part-time help in August, feel free to e-mail me, 
because I will be free for that month to help out on really busy 
weekends, before I leave. 

I can't wait to get back up there, and once again, this newsletter 
is always the icing on the cake of my day!!

Amanda Kemp

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Dear Newsletter:

This newsletter has just become the highlight of my week way over 
here in Phenix City, AL. My Dad has lived out in Las Cruces for 
years & Cloudcroft is always my favorite place to go when I visit 
him. My husband & I are planning to come out during the first
week in August, so I am looking forward to seeing the events that 
are going on around that time.

Jennifer Chancey

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Dear Newsletter:

I subscribed to find out was going on so that we could plan our 
vacation. But due to fires, we going elsewhere. Maybe ina couple 
of years we'll head your way.

Have a great day!

[Name Withheld]

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Dear Newsletter:

It is with great honor that I write you and let you know that 
last year was my first trip to Cloudcroft. It won't be the last! 
Me and the love of my life spent a three day weekend there. Our 
love for one another was enhanced by the beauty of your great 
community. We shopped on the board walk and purchased matching 
rings that I wear all the time. 

I love receiving your newsletter and each time I read it the 
memories I cherish are always brought to life.

I some day hope to visit your little community again! I want to 
thank you for keeping the fire burning for me and my "Girl"!

I love you Traci!!!

Ron Braswell,
Rowlett TX.

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Dear Newsletter:

I have been wanting to get to you and tell you how much we 
appreciated your coverage of the fires. My son's place is in Hay 
Canyon and of course there is no coverage of that here in Florida. 
The Los Alamos fire yes, but nothing else.

We have been there and love the mountain country. Looking at 
the fire pictures it would be heartbreaking to lose all that up 
there. Our heart goes out to those that suffered loss. We were 
so impressed by looking up at the sky at night and seeing the 
billions of stars. We might see a half dozen here in Florida.

We spent our time when the children were growing up on vacation 
in the Adirondaks of Northern New York. We lived in the Finger 
Lake Region of New York. I believe that is where my son 
developed a love for the outdoors and looked for a place that 
would be like that.

We were worried about the little restaurant in Weed. We had eaten 
there and were impressed by the the lady running it. When my son 
and his four boys and I were there she was so nice.

Thanks again for the excellent coverage.

Al and Pat Bazar

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Dear Newsletter:

My pleasure, knowing Cloudcroft is up the road, is what keeps me 
sane through the hot summers in El Paso! I have to drive all the 
way (90 miles) to find a cool, refreshing place to hike and let 
my dogs run! The drive is worth it.

Driving through the tunnel on the road up from Alamogordo to 
Cloudcroft reminds me of entering the land of OZ after coming 
out the other side of the tunnel!

V. J. Glynn

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