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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #170
July 11, 2003
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Dear Subscriber:

Allen called me from his Austin home about 4 years ago. He
wanted to rent one of our vacation cabins near Cloudcroft for
a few days.

That phone call changed Allen's life forever.

Allen and his wife Christi and two kids fell in love with the
Cloudcroft area, but unlike many people who dream of living in
these parts, Allen and Christi did something about it.

Allen is a speech therapist. He looked around the Otero county
area to see if there were any positions in his profession. He
found one and the move was on.

Not an unusual story, but Allen is an unusual man.

I've never heard Allen raise his voice or talk ill about another
or use profanity.

There's something wrong with Allen.

I was there the day they were supposed to place his new double-
wide on the lot they had purchased up the hill. He was
wearing his usual smile.

"How are things going?" I asked.

"The cement foundation pad is in the wrong place," he smiled.
He said it like he was discussing a low tire. You don't just
pick up cement pads and move them. If it had been me I would
be, as they say, uncontrollable.

It threw the whole project behind about 2 weeks. It's not all
they have had to contend with. Deep snow, low water pressure,
next door dogs with bark-itus.

All the while Allen just smiles. I don't know, maybe every once
in a while maybe he goes out behind a tree and just screams real
loud, but I don't think so. I've seen undertakers that are more
high-strung.

For the past two days I've been helping Allen hang new doors in
their entryway. We were on a roll yesterday. Things were
moving right along. Then Allen went outside to cut a two-by-six
when we heard a sort of thump. Directly Allen came in with the
cut lumber. It was during the course of regular conversation a
few minutes later that we learned he had stumbled and fallen
down the hill. No cussing or screaming or threat to do bodily
harm. Just Allen falling down the hill. Allen's scary.

Today we were installing the doorknobs and deadbolts. We
discovered two of the doorknobs were left handed and Allen had
right handed doors.

"That's all right," he said quietly. "I'll just take them back
this afternoon and get the right ones."

There was nothing else to do until Allen got the right hardware,
so I left.

Besides, I had had about all the laid back I could stand.
I hurried home and turned on Jerry Springer. I needed to hear
somebody screaming at someone.

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 -- COYOTE CABIN
4. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- NEW MEXICO 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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Regular afternoon rains have made things wetter and greener, but
the Forest Service says there are some areas of the forest that
are not getting much rain. For that reason, the forest
restrictions remain in effect. Contact the Forest Service for
any updates in the change in restrictions. (505) 682-2551.

Highs in the upper-70s. Lows in the low-40s. Temperatures
significantly reduced during the rainy periods.
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VILLAGE NEWS
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Hwy 82 between Cloudcroft and Alamogordo has been designated
as a "Safety Corridor". State officials say that means speed
limits will be strictly enforced and fines for traffic
violations will be doubled.

The "Safety Corridor" designation for the 16 mile stretch of
highway was established do to an upturn in serious accidents
and will likely remain in affect for about 3 years.
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- COYOTE CABIN
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Located in the heart of the Village, this antique-style 3
bedroom, more than 1,500 sq. ft. cabin is the perfect place to
stay during your family's visit to Cloudcroft. Coyote Cabin has
2 queen beds, 1 full size, 2 twins (roll away available), and
features a fully-equipped kitchen, fireplace (firewood
furnished), cable TV, VCR, full-size washer and dryer, and deck
with charcoal grill. Children welcome, walk to shopping, dining,
and parks. For rates and availability, email us at
lisadawn@zianet.com or call toll free 1-866-588-2583.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- NEW MEXICO MUSEUM
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Located in Santa Fe.

http://www.museumofnewmexico.org/

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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - Is it safe to take shelter under a tree in the forest when
it rains?

A - Contrary to what you may have heard, seeking shelter under
a tree in the forest (when there is no other shelter available)
isn't a bad idea. When there are hundreds of trees of basically
the same height in a storm area, there is nothing to draw
lightning to any one particular tree. For lightning to strike
the tree you chose for shelter would be very unlucky.

It's not a good idea to seek shelter under an individual tree
in an otherwise treeless area. Lightning is attracted to them
(and you, if you're under it). The odds of lightning striking
a lone tree are much higher than the likelihood of lightning
striking any particular tree in a forest of trees.

Save yourself the trouble of figuring all this out. Bring a
tent.

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COMING EVENTS
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July 11, 12 -- Melodrama. Open Air Pavilion. Cloudcroft.

July 12 -- Tailgate Concert. Bert Dalton Trio. 8pm.
Museum of Space History parking lot. Alamogordo.

July 12, 13 -- Cloudcroft July Jamboree.

July 12, 13 -- Full Moon Nights. White Sands Nat'l Monument.

July 12 -- Street Dance. Burro Street.

July 18 -- Pirates of Pensance. Flickinger Center. Alamogordo.

July 18, 19 -- Melodrama. Open Air Pavilion. Cloudcroft.

July 25 -- Miss Otero County Pageant. Flickinger Center.

July 26 -- Lace Lucero Tour. White Sands National Monument.

July 26 -- Tailgate Concert. Mike Pritchard's Blue Note Thunder
and Lightning Horns. Space Museum Parking lot.

August 1-3 -- Oklahoma. Flickinger Center. Alamogordo.

August 2 -- National Kid's Day. Washington Park. Alamogordo.

August 2-3 -- Robin Hood Days. Timberon.

August 7-10 -- Gathering of Circles. www.gatheringofcircles.com.

August 9 -- Otero County Fair parade. Alamogordo.

August 13-16 -- Otero County Fair.

August 16 -- Model rocket launch. Veteran's Memorial Park.
Alamogordo.

August 23 -- Larry Fox Memorial Fun Run. Alamogordo.

August 23 -- Tailgate Concert. Bayou Seco. Space Museum
parking lot.

August 30 -- Alamogordo Amateur Radio Club Hamfest.
Fairgrounds.

August 30, Sept. 1 -- 13th annual Cottonwood Arts and Crafts
Festival. Alameda Park. Alamogordo.

August 30, 31, Sept. 1 -- Cloudcroft Labor Day Fiesta.

September 1 -- Lumber Jack Day. Cloudcroft Zenith Park.

September 19-21 -- Healing Hearts.

September 21 -- Governor Johnson's Run/Walk. Cloudcroft.

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. For information on
other Senior Center services, see their web site, listed on the
Cloudcroft.com Links page.

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

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 love your story about Pogo, and it reminded me that I wanted
to write to you and your readers to be careful about leaving
dogs outside during the monsoon season here in Cloudcroft.

The day we had that phenomenal hailstorm, I was stuck at work
and couldn't go home to let my dogs in the house. They had
shelter in the backyard, but it was a shed with a tin roof.
Imagine the noise!

When I managed to get home, the dogs were IN THE HOUSE! They
had actually succeeded in gnawing their way through a wooden
screen door and had gnawed a corner off the door itself. I
hadn't locked the door, so they were able to push it open (I
still don't know how they did it).

Point of story—-dogs can be extremely traumatized when it hails
or rains heavily, especially if they're not from around here
(my dogs are from El Paso, and hail is new to them). So be
sure to let them in the house when it does downpour.

Save your dogs, save your doors!

Amanda Kemp
Cloudcroft

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Dear Newsletter:
Lets hear it for Pogo! He has found his niche and is really
enjoying it. We have 2 cats that adopted us and they have the
same attitude.

Keep the wonderful news and letters coming. I have missed the
last two, but finally got caught up today.

M. Goodin
Hereford, Texas

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Dear Newsletter:

You are not the first person to have a dog named Pogo. My
Grandparents had one back in the 50's named for the possum in
the comic strip. We thought Pogo was a pretty smart dog until
he got under a piece of farm machinery and met his demise.

Eleanor Martin
El Paso and Twin Forks

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Dear Newsletter:

I have my own Pogo. His name is George. He was rescued from the
side of the road at about 3 weeks of age. He had worms and was
one sick boy. He lived in a Coke box for a couple weeks, since
he had to be quarantined so Sam (the old dog) would not get
sick. George was happy to sit in the flower pots on the porch
and watch the world go by. 

Now, some 7 years later, Sam is gone and Goerge is King. He
likes the job. He gets to lay on the couch and watch movies,
he has a food dish that is elevated so as to prevent neck
strain and he gets all the Kibbles with no other dog eating 
them.

He still just wants to be a dog, close by, ready for any stray
attention that may flow his way. He is the best companion
anyone could ask for. He is quiet when he should be and close
by and wagging his tail when he should be. 

Tell Pogo that George says just wait your turn.

Nancy Martin
Milton, FL

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Dear Newsletter:

"I Go Pogo!" Well at least I did in the election, back in the
60's wasn't it. Don't remember too well, but if he had gotten
elected he would look and act a lot funnier than he does today.

Do you ever notice how most of our Presidents look so young
and healthy when they enter office and by the time they leave
they are old, white haired retires.

Speaking of old, well that's all I have to say about that.
Peace and love,

Frank

(Formerly of Mesa, AZ now of Mtn. Home, AR and retired, thank
the Lord.)

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Dear Newsletter:

I especially love your stories about the dogs and critters
there. Pogo sounds like a wonderful, appreciative dog, and the
story of how you all saved him from being euthanized the next
day was especially touching. Thanks for sharing.

A fellow animal lover,
Jeannie Monteith Campbell
Harrison, AR

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Dear Newsletter:

That's very nice of your wife to take that poor little ugly dog
in and give him a home. Sounds like he is a good dog.

We have two little dogs. They're spoiled rotten. That's why we
have them.

Thanks for the newsletter again.

Shirley Myers

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Dear Newsletter:

Why didn't your 3 July letter mention the Monday hail storm? Or
maybe you didn't get any out your way.

We drove in from Wichita Falls that pm and saw huge drifts
beginning near the ski area. It wasn't as heavy in the village,
but was still a fair amount; I had to shovel it off my upper
deck the next day - was 8-10" deep.

Charles Taylor

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Dear Newsletter:

I liked the idea of replacing hamburger with grilled salmon;
however, the suggestion for 15 - 20 minutes was way too long.
I do my salmon on the George Foreman grill for 10 minutes (a 1
lb. piece of salmon) and it is terrific.

Brush it with olive oil, season with whatever you like, and be
sure to spray the grill with a non-stick spray. Enjoy.

B. Alexander
Corpus Christi, TX

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Dear Newsletter:

I know how you feel about your family's smaller members.
Attached is a photo of Duchess, our backyard Pigeon Slayer.
She's a good dog and not a mean bone in her body. But the
pigeons that visit our back yard wouldn't agree. The photo
is of her displaying the "Who, me?" look.

By the time anyone reads this, I'll be in Cloudcroft enjoying
the weather. In fact I will have been there a few days and
just about rid myself of all my Big City woes. I'll be on my
little patch of ground cleaning up dead fall and clearing
undergrowth while enjoying the cool clear mountain air and
loving every moment of it. At home, just the thought of having
to mow the lawn is enough to send me screaming into the night,
(it's to #&% hot to mow in the day time). But preparing my
property for my future retirement home isn't work! It's
therapy and rehabilitation of the highest order!

What's this got to do with the price of peanuts in Georgia? 

I only share this information with you and your readers,
because in the Newsletter each week I read about everyone else
visiting there and I'm so envious that I just had to pass the
jealousy along to others.

Eat you heart out, just 730 days to go until retirement. I'd
also like to say HEY to Texas Ray and Florida Bob. 

Bill White
Phoenix, AZ

http://www.cloudcroft.com/photos/dutch.jpg

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