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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #191
December 5, 2003
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Dear Subscriber:

The population of Cloudcroft in the winter is about half what
it is in the summer.

I joke with my summertime friends about how they abandon the
mountains when it gets a little cold. I call them names like
sun-bunnies and fairweathers, but I understand they have other
fish to fry and they prefer to fry them in warmer temperatures.

The word pansy comes to mind. Sorry. Couldn't help myself.

In the winter when I'm in my thermals shoveling snow or busting
ice out of the driveway, I picture those friends sitting in the
sunshine somewhere working on their tans and sipping sissy
drinks with a twist of citrus. They'll likely disagree, but I
think they're missing out on one of the best times of the year
on the mountain.

A relatively comfortable and disaster-free sojourn through
mountain winter depends on how well you prepare for it in the
fall.

In Cloudcroft a chain saw is not an extension of one's
manhood or a prop in a horror movie, it's a tool of utility
(like a Vegamatic). That wood stacked outside in August
translates into a warm living room in January. Tipper, our
border collie, has a pallet in front of the wood burning stove
in the winter. If the pallet is moved, she pouts and her eyes
get big and sad. Tipper is the biggest winter lover in the
family.

Us mountain year-rounders aren't Masochists. We don't like
getting our tongues stuck on an ice cube tray any more than the
next guy. There are reasons we love the unworldly world of
winter in the mountains.

Put on your parka and step outside on a cold clear December
night here. There are so many stars that it's not really dark.
Add a full moon and you have a surreal brightness reflecting
off the snow that is impossible to describe. "Moonshadow" is
not just the title of a Cat Stevens song. There is such a
thing. Again, unless you've seen one, it defies description. I
can say this. They don't see many moonshadows in Miami.

Hot drinks are especially tasty in the winter. Hot drinks of
both the regular and high octane variety. Ciders, coffees,
chocolate drinks with whipped cream...I like them all...except
maybe Thera-flu.

Go ahead, Jack Frost. Nip at my nose. To my summertime buddies
I'll toast you with a hot drink with a twist of citrus as the
winter wind swirls and look forward to seeing you in May.

I love Cloudcroft winters, as long as the firewood holds out
and the snow has been cleared from the satellite dish.

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 -- WHITE SANDS
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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Another unseasonably warm week. Highs in the mid-50s. Lows
dipping into the teens on occasion. No new precipitation.
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VILLAGE NEWS
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Filing deadline for candidacy for the two Village Council
positions and the Village Judge position is January 6th. The
Council seats held by Brad Rasch and Gary Wood will be on the
ballot, as well as the Village Judge post now held by Ron Todd.
No official declaration from Wood or Rasch as to whether or not
they'll run for re-election. We were unable to reach either at
press time. Judge Todd told The Newsletter he will run for
re-election.

-o-

President Bush signed a "Healthy Forest" law this week. It is
designed to cull and clean National Forests of overgrowth and
bring down the threat of catastrophic fire.
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- BLUE WATER REAL ESTATE
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One of Cloudcroft's oldest and most established real estate
offices. Whether it's a full or part-time residence, cabin or
townhome, land or lot, ranch or commercial property, it's easier
than you think to get the property of your dreams and we're here
to help! Give us a call (toll free) 877-682-3566, email
sales@bluewater-cloudcroft.com, or see the link to our web site
on the Real Estate page of Cloudcroft.com:

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

We also offer a variety of cabins for rent. Call for details
and reservations.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- WHITE SANDS
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http://www.nps.gov/whsa/

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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - Can we rent a car in Cloudcroft?

A - The nearest car rental agency is in Alamogordo, 17 miles
from the village.

While we're on the subject...be sure and double check your
transportation when coming to Cloudcroft. Have your car or SUV
checked by your home town mechanic before you make the trip.
It's not over-kill to carry with you a set of jumper cables and
replacement fan belts. In the winter, tire chains in your trunk
are a must if you're driving a two-wheel drive vehicle.

There are no repair shops open during holidays or weekends in
the village.

Also, be sure your spare tire is in good shape. A spare tire is
no big deal unless you need one and don't have one or the one
you have is flat.

Your only alternative if you have a mechanical breakdown during
weekends or holidays in Cloudcroft is an expensive tow down to
Alamo.
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COMING EVENTS
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December 6 -- ULLR Fest. Cloudcroft.

December 6 -- Cloudcroft Art Society Holiday Art Show and Sale.
Old Red Brick School House. 10am to 5pm.

December 7 -- Cloudcroft Art Society Holiday Art Show and Sale.
Old Red Brick School House. 11am to 4pm.

December 13 -- Pet Parade. Burro Street. Cloudcroft.

December 14 -- Community Christmas Cantata. Cloudcroft United
Methodist Church, 4pm.

December 20 -- Christmas in Cloudcroft. Zenith Park.

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

February 20-22 -- Cloudcroft Mardi Gras.

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.

Cox Canyon Volunteer Fire and Rescue is organizing an
auxiliary unit. If you would like to help support this group
of dedicated men and women, call 682-3084, 682-4664, 682-3719
or 682-3234.

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 button.

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:

Headed out to God's country to be with family in Portales
during Xmas. Looking forward to it with enthusiasm (putting it
mildly).

Enjoy your newsletter. Plan to visit area.

Carolyn Dunham
Spring Hill, Florida

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Dear Newsletter:

We have been getting your newsletter a long time and wanted to
thank you.

My wife and I love to read it. We visited your fine town on
11-23-2003 and had a great time. We left several $'s there for
some great Christmas gifts.

We try and get there about every two years. We were wanting to
come there to ride snowmobiles but didn't know the right time
of the year.

I hope to be there again soon.

Again thanks from Ft. Worth, TX.

O. K. Fletcher

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Dear Newsletter:

Just want to say how much I enjoy your writing. It's a pleasure
to read the Newsletter each week.

I traveled to Cloudcroft in early September on vacation, and
wrote you at that time to say how much I was enjoying my stay...
now, I can't wait to come back and see more of the area and
try a few other seasons. The drive up the mountain and down was
terrifying for me, tho.

Thanks!
Ellen Joseph

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Dear Newsletter:

I don't write often, but I must tell you I truly delight in
some of your letters. This is one of them. Your descriptive
experience and your colorful relaying of the events that took
place was simply a delight to read (including the Zantac).
Sorry about that -- it could of been worse.

Thanks a lot for your newsletters and taking the time to
share your experiences with all of us.

Just love the way you express yourself as you do.

Hello to Peggy too.

Pauline Lucas

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Dear Newsletter:

My husband and I always enjoy reading your articles in the
Cloudcroft Newsletter, but especially your recent about your
experience in Juarez.

As it turns out I too was there that particular morning and
saw (and especially heard) the 20 de Noviembre parade. I was
in the Devlyn Optical right across the street from the City
Market and grateful to have glass and wall between me and the
monster truck's speakers.

Even behind that protection the music was very loud. But seeing
the enthusiasm of the crowd made me realize they were loving
every minute of it. To each his own.

Thanks! And keep up the good work.

Ethel Gaspar
El Paso, TX

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Dear Newsletter:

Your letters about the killing of JFK reminded me, I was
standing in my underwear in a room with 40 other young men
age from 18 to 23 taking physical at Fort Bliss. The personal
on the base were very nervous and worried what was to come
next. 

Jerry James
Nowata, Ok

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Dear Newsletter:

My name is Dale McLane, and I'm a part time Otero Co. resident,
near Dog Canyon. I enjoy reading your newsletter every week,
and really appreciate your sense of home-spun humor. I noticed
that your advertiser in this week's Newsletter is American
Southwest Realty.
 
This October, I purchased another 56 acres in the basin, and
contacted American Southwest, who acted as my representative
in the sale. I would like to say that Michael Murphy made a
100% + effort to assist me with the sale, and that I would
recommend him to anyone interested in property in the area.

American Southwest and the Halbigs are really nice people to
work with. Unlike other realtors who don't want to strain
themselves, or maybe just give you a pile of multiple listing
printouts to look at, these folks will go the extra mile for
you.

Thanks to the timely efforts of Mike, I am the new owner of a
nice piece of property that borders BLM land.
 
Hope to be back in February.
 
Dale

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