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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #154
March 21, 2003
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Dear Subscriber:

I haven't forgotten.

I was still asleep when Peggy rushed into the bedroom and said,
"A plane has hit one of the towers in New York City."

She flipped on the TV and there it was...a smoldering top part
of a majestic building. The TV announcer was breathless.

"We don't know what happened. It was a big plane. Possibly an
airliner. We're waiting for an update."

I sat on the edge of the bed and turned up the sound. Peg had
returned to the kitchen but I could hear her "Oh, my God's" as
she watched the set in the kitchen. I was still trying to shake
the cobwebs from my sleepy brain.

"There are 2500 people in that building," said the announcer.
"It looks like the plane hit close to the top. We know from our
sources that fire and police personnel have been rushed to the
scene."

As I watched, another plane hit the other tower. My first
thought was I was watching a badly made movie.

"There seems to be. There seems to be..." the announcer
stuttered.

"Oh, God," I heard Peggy say in the other room.

I didn't move. Maybe I was dreaming. Please let me be
dreaming.

The 2 buildings burned before my eyes. They collapsed within
minutes of each other. I HAD to be dreaming. The whole thing
happened in such a small surreal package of time.

I listened to the radio all day long. I had chores to do, but
my heart wasn't in it. September 11, 2001 was a beautiful clear
fall day in Cloudcroft, but it somehow seemed overcast. I would
take time to look up at the tall pines, but the vista was
mixed in my mind with the plate glass, concrete, steel and
moms, dads, sons and daughters that had just tumbled to the
ground in New York.

I listened to reports from all over the world. Tears were shed
at a Tony Blair news conference in London. Wild-eyed family
members were posting pictures of their loved ones on lamp posts
in New York...hoping against hope that they would get a
positive response. New resolve was expressed by leaders of the
free countries of the world that they would join the US in the
fight against terrorism.

Saddam Hussein said it was too bad, but we brought it upon
ourselves.

Have you forgotten?

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 -- MOUNTAINTOP MERCHANTILE
4. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- FARM AND RANCH MUSEUM
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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An Ides of March freak cold front has dumped about a half-foot
of snow or more on the Sacramento Mountains this week in sharp
contrast to the short-sleeve weather of last week.

Highs in the mid-30s. Lows in the upper teens.
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VILLAGE NEWS
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The Cloudcroft Art Society will stage its Mother's Day Show and
Sale on May 11 in the Red Brick School House.

Their Miniature Show and Sale will be the weekends of May 19th
and 20th and May 26th and 27th.

Call Carolyn Sharp for details. (505) 682-3004.
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- MOUNTAINTOP MERCHANTILE
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A full-service grocery store. We are NOT a convenience store,
but we're convenient! We're friendly most of the time.
Mountaintop brand sauces, jams, jellies, and salad dressings.
Fresh baked bread and pastries. (505) 682-2777.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- FARM AND RANCH MUSEUM
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Just and hour and a half from Cloudcroft in Las Cruces.

http://www.nmmnh-abq.mus.nm.us/frm/frm.html

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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - Is there a way to predict if there will be a serious fire
danger again this spring and summer in the Sacramento Mountains?

A - My sources say the fire danger should be less this year
than the past 3 years due to late heavy snows. It could be
seriously dry, though, if our snows are not supplemented with
some spring showers.
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COMING EVENTS
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April 6 -- John Mershon Day. In honor of a long-time state
legislator.

April 18-19 -- Easter Weekend celebration. Check with the
Chamber of Commerce for events and times. 1 (505) 682-2733.

May 3 -- Smokey's Revenge mountain bike race.

May 10 -- Old Timer's Reunion (682-2932)

May 11 -- Cloudcroft Art Society Mother's Day Show and Sale.
Red Brick School House. 682-3004.

May 17, 18 -- High Altitude Classic bike race (682-1229).

May 19, 20 -- Annual Art Society Miniature Art Show and Sale.
Red Brick School House.

May 23-24 -- Mayfair.

May 26, 27 -- Annual Art Society Miniature Art Show and Sale.
Red Brick School House.

June 7 -- National Trails Day

June 20, 21 -- Western Roundup

Cloudcroft Art Society meets the second Sunday of each month,
2-4pm, in the Old Red Brick School House. Call (505) 682-3004
for more information and details on the Cloudcroft Summer Art
Workshops.

Would you like to help deliver meals to the homebound around
Cloudcroft? Monday through Friday deliveries. Call the
Cloudcroft Senior Center at (505)-682-3022.

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:

Well, as Curly says, "Ain't you the one!"

Congratulations on passing a test given by a government
official.

Glad to know Cloudcroft will not have the added expense of
posting "do not drink the water" signs.

Love your newsletter. Hope to get back to CC soon.

Stephanie

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Dear Newsletter:

I live in Rising Star, Texas, and I have been reading your
newsletter for about a year now and I enjoy it so much. 

Keep up the good work. I look forward to receiving it and
hearing whatever is on your mind. It is through this newsletter
that I have begun to feel as if I know everyone in Cloudcroft. 
Maybe soon with the good Lord willing, I can move to
Cloudcroft. It sounds like a piece of heaven. 

I related to the "shopping cart" story and I thought you were
so right. I got a good laugh. Thanks for sharing.

Pauline Winfrey

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Dear Newsletter:

I like to hear about Cloudcroft but I also like your thoughts,
so it keep it coming and thank you for all your efforts.

Fran Gregg

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Dear Newsletter:

I can hardly wait for your story each week in the newsletter!

When I have time, I print a copy to share with my young
students. Your stories are a great example of the 'storytelling
skills' that are often missing in our world today! My students
have a better understanding of writing to 'paint a picture' in
the mind of the reader! They always love to 'tell' their own
stories. Now, they are writing more of their stories with 
greater details.

My family and I have enjoyed our winter vacations in Cloudcroft!
As I read your newsletter each week, I feel close to Cloudcroft!

Thanks for writing each week!

Linda Grissom
Texas

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Dear Newsletter:

Mr Harlan, thanks for the list of French-owned products. Count
us in. No more Bic products in our household! We're just one
couple but maybe...just maybe... enough folks will participate
to make it to that 2%. 

Mr and Mrs J. L. Bartlett
Pecos, Texas

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Dear Newsletter:

La France est la sorte d'allié qui sera toujours là quand elle
a besoin de nous. 

David

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Dear Newsletter:

I enjoy your newsletter. The editors or one of your readers may
be able to assist me. I am Emory Dockery, President, The Darby
Foundation, PO Box 1625, Fort Smith, Arkansas, 72902. Phone
479-782-3388, fax 479-783-7590. E-mail darby@darby1945.org or
gendarby@msn.com.

We are writing another book on the personal life of General
William O. Darby, who organized and led the famed US Army
Rangers in WWII. As you recall they are called, "Darby's
Rangers." General Darby was killed the last day of the war in
Northern Italy, and at that time he was Assistant Division
Commander of The 10th Mountain Division.

Now everyone is now asking what does Cloudcroft have to do
this? Right!

Well there is a very interesting aspect to Bill Darby's personal
life and career that involves Cloudcroft--an almost secret
(after 1939) marriage. Bill was married in El Paso in 1935;
and, as her scrapbook relates, "... Lt. Darby was assigned to
Cloudcroft Army R&R as their commander..." - (or so the society
page implies).

Is there anyone that knows anything about or there any records
of a R&R facility in this period? On the other hand, people in
Cloudcroft may be interested in seeing what I have as there
appears to be several pictures of the newly married couple in
what I think is the resort (or some resort area) around
Cloudcroft. 

This marriage is a great story.

Emory Dockery

[If anyone can help Emory Dockery with this information, email
us and we will pass it on.]

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Dear Newsletter:

Thirty years ago, when I was stationed at Holloman AFB, I
wished to live in Cloudcroft. Finally, several months ago, I
moved permanently to Cloudcroft. The winter was not hard, even
when it snowed. The main roads remained clear and everyday was
a good weather day. I found most of what I need in town, and
to my pleasant surprise, a Lowe's and a Home Depot is being
built at the bottom of the hill in Alamogordo. My stepson is
1 of 15 in his class and I think I've met everyone in the
school.

Prices are not higher than anywhere else and the taxes are
more than reasonable.

However: Beware that there are a few here that are not here
because they love the climate, scenery and nature. They seem
to have found a place where they can be left alone and you
should leave them alone. Not everyone responds in a rational,
polite manner.

I have been run off the road, by cars, trucks, trailers,
crossing the center line. I almost had a head-on, because
someone was passing in a "no passing" zone around the corner
(could be he that was passed was taking in the view). I have
been saluted on two occasions with an obscene gesture, for
what I am truly not sure. Appears obscene gestures are not an
misdemeanor offense as in Texas. A local suggested I change
vehicle tags. I will next month.

This is not to suggest that many of these types exits. I have
met many, if not 99 percent are not like this. I may just need
to not be so sensitive. 

I think what troubled me was in one case an adult (appeared to
be a mother), appeared to think it was OK to make obscene
gestures. I wonder what she will think about her boys when they
act out other anti-social behavior in later years.

Dale Tyler 
Cloudcroft NM

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