++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #194
December 26, 2003
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Subscriber:

Merry Christmas, everyone.

I realize the use of the term Merry Christmas is no longer
politically correct, but the fact is this holiday was originally
established to celebrate the birth of Christ and I don't think
that can be changed. Besides this is my column and I can say
Merry Anything-I-Want-To.

We're closing in on 2004. A time to reflect. Here are my most
memorable events in 2003:

The world discovered the US is not all talk and no enchiladas.
We didn't start the war on terrorism, but with our actions in
2003, we indicated we were willing to finish it. I heard
earlier this week that Libya has decided to get rid of their
nasty weapons and are willing to allow international
inspections. Looks like some of these clowns may be getting the
message. We can only hope.

The Newsletter staff had lunch with 4 Stealth fighter pilots at
Holloman Air Force Base at about this time last year just before
the war (see link). I'll remember that experience always. What
makes it even more special is they all came home safely.

http://www.cloudcroft.com/news/news146.htm

I completed another year without going to a movie. The last
time I saw a movie in a theater was in 1998 when Peggy and I saw
"Titanic". It's not that I'm anti-movie. I'm just anti-rip-off.
I'll accept spending 8 dollars a ticket, but spending 4 dollars
for a bag of popcorn at a theater doesn't compute with me when
I can see the same movie on TV in about a year and sit in my
favorite chair and the popcorn is relatively free.

The stock market went up. It saw-toothed a little in 2003 and
there were some scary moments, but in the end, I made about 42
dollars.

Peggy and I finished the add-on to our house. Took almost three
years. Great news for us and wonderful news to Newsletter
readers who were getting tired of hearing about our add-on.

We got two new home improvement centers in Alamogordo. Peggy
and I go there instead of the movies (see link).

http://www.cloudcroft.com/news/news175.htm

I cut down two very large diseased trees this past summer on
our place without injury to me or bystanders, notwithstanding
my mashed finger.

I backed into Peggy's car this summer and ripped off that
plastic liner around the wheel well. I'll replace it some day.
Only 150 dollars (a cost more by weight than gold). I'll have
to install it myself cause the body shop wants $800 to put it
on for me. Whatever. Now it looks like a mountain car.

We have 4 dogs. Not one of them pooped or threw up in the house
in 2003. Only one dog fight in 2003. Phoenix started it. She
lost. I think she got religion and has coexisted since.

The Cloudcroft Online Newsletter doubled it's subscribers in
2003. Funny what people like to read. Thanks.

I'll not wish you a happy new year. That might jinx it.

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

----------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
----------------------------------------------------------------
1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. VILLAGE NEWS
3. INSIDE THE SHOP -- MOUNTAIN DOVE REALTY
4. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- SUNSPOT
5. Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
6. COMING EVENTS
7. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
8. CONTACT INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------------------------
LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
----------------------------------------------------------------
Unseasonably warm. Highs in the low-50s. Lows in the low-20s.
No new snow. Still some areas conducive to tubing and sledding.
----------------------------------------------------------------
VILLAGE NEWS
----------------------------------------------------------------
The deadline for filing for Village Council positions is
January 6.

The two incumbents up for re-election, Brad Rasch and Gary Wood,
have declared their intentions to run.

In the January 23, 2004 Newsletter, we will publish a question
and answer forum including candidates and all current village
council members.

Participation in this forum will be up to and inclusive of the
individual office holders and declared candidates of the
Cloudcroft Village Council (including council members not up
for re-election). Responses to the following questions should
be addressed to:

Don Vanlandingham
Box 47
Cloudcroft, NM 88317

Responses should be signed. No emails can be accepted.

Answers to each question should be 100 words or less. Deadline
for submission is January 16, 2004.

We are publishing the questions ahead of time so villagers can
consider them and have input with their elected officials and
candidates before the forum is published.

1. What is the biggest problem Cloudcroft faces in the next
10 years?

2. What is the biggest mistake Cloudcroft has made in the past
10 years?

3. What is your opinion of the Cloudcroft Police Department?

4. What would you do to help promote commerce in Cloudcroft?

5. Should Cloudcroft grow larger? Why or why not?

----------------------------------------------------------------
INSIDE THE SHOP -- MOUNTAIN DOVE REALTY
----------------------------------------------------------------
Since 1991, serving the last frontier of the Rockie Mountains in
the heart of the Lincoln National Forest. A step ahead of the
crowd, catering to your heart's desire. A year-round moderate
climate. Land, mountain properties, cabins, ranches, and
commercial. Call 1-800-494-3683 (toll free) or see the link to
our web site on the Cloudcroft.com Real Estate page:

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

----------------------------------------------------------------
CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- SUNSPOT OBSERVATORY
----------------------------------------------------------------
A short and beautiful drive from Cloudcroft.

http://www.sunspot.noao.edu/

----------------------------------------------------------------
Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
----------------------------------------------------------------
Q - Is there a car wash in Cloudcroft?

A - No. There have been proposals in the past for a car wash
in the village, but problems with waste water discharge and a
suitable location for such a facility have halted progress to
date.
----------------------------------------------------------------
COMING EVENTS
----------------------------------------------------------------
December 28 -- Lake Lucero Tour. White Sands.

January 7 -- High Noon Book Discussion Club, Cloudcroft
Library. Noon. The book being discussed is Mystic River by
Dennis Lehane. Bring your lunch and enjoy the discussion.

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. The Cloudcroft Art Society will not be meeting in
December or January. The next meeting will be the first Sunday
at 2pm in February.

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.

----------------------------------------------------------------
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

----------------------------------------------------------------
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Newsletter:

I am tired of all the whiners who write to the Newsletter
bemoaning the fact that they don't live in Cloudcroft or
dreaming of the day when they can move there.

I am perfectly satisfied living in a large south plains Texas
town.

Why, just the other day we had the loveliest dust storm which
kept me from having to look at all the other cars on the road
with me. And I can see forever, since the trees are few and far
between. And then there is the traffic and road construction:
love it!

So lets get a few more letters which are honest: Cloudcroft is
okay to visit, but I sure would not want to live there.

Sorry, I am an attorney and honesty sometimes comes hard to
some of us.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas in the most beautiful spot
on earth. Wish I were doing the same.

Lee Phillips

----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Newsletter:

We are new to the mountain. we have been here for two months
and really love it. We enjoy the Newsletter.

We want to wish you and your family and all of the Cloudcroft
and mountain top residents a very Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year.
 
Robert and Jane Bailey
Robinhood

----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Newsletter:

Amen to you! We have two teenage daughters and it is a full
time job being a good parent. The problem with our children
today, I believe, does stem from our parents. I cannot imagine
our future government with the current generation. It is scary!

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Vicki Schul 

----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Newsletter:

Thanks for expounding on our youthful generation's lack of
knowledge regarding historical figures and important people in
our world.

My experience of is that our schools don't place much emphasis
on anyone important in our country or others - but all the kids
know Shaq, Michael, Brittney, Coby, A-Rod, etc. Guess all those
boring historical characters for which we older folks have such
admiration and respect just aren't exciting or "alluring" enough
for this generation. Remember - they grew up on T.V. and
nonsensical music.

I substituted for a high school class teacher and the only
students who could tell me the significance of "Plymouth Rock"
were the 2 foreign exchange kids

T. Harder

----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Newsletter:

I agree with you 100% what you said in this letter about
working for what you get. That's something most kids don't do
these days.

I worked in the summer and bought my first car. Wow that was
a valuable lesson that I learned that summer. I'm so glad my
parents taught me to work for what you get.

Thank you for the newsletter.

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Shirley Myers

----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Newsletter:

Had to comment on Mr. Boyle's letter.

Last night we were in a restaurant here in Ft. Worth and a lady
came in talking on her cell phone. They were seated and all the
while she is evidently ordering something over the phone and
proceeds to give the person on the other end her credit card 
number where everyone around her can hear her.

I don't know what she was thinking (she wasn't thinking). Anyone
around her could have taken that number down and used it to make
purchases against her credit card.

You can't be too careful with your personal information. Have a
great Christmas and a happy New Year. Maybe we will get to come
back to Cloudcroft one of these days.

Happy Holiday,
Phyllis Shaddix
Ft. Worth, TX

================================================================
CONTACT INFORMATION
================================================================
TO UNSUBSCRIBE
To unsubscribe, email: unsubscribe@cloudcroft.com
You MUST put Unsubscribe in the Subject line.
----------------------------------------------------------------
TO SUBSCRIBE
To subscribe, go to
http://www.cloudcroft.com/subscribe.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------
BOUNCED EMAILS
If email to an address bounces (returns to us), that email
address is automatically deleted from our mailing list. If you
cease getting this newsletter suddenly, probably your provider
bounced your newsletter. This can happen when a provider is too
busy or is shutdown for some reason. If this happens to you, 
just revisit our site and re-add your email address to our list.
----------------------------------------------------------------
SUGGESTIONS AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
If you have comments or suggestions for this newsletter, please 
direct them to: newsletter@cloudcroft.com
You MUST put CC-Editor in the Subject line.
----------------------------------------------------------------
PAST ISSUES
http://www.cloudcroft.com/newsletters.htm
================================================================
Please feel free to pass this newsletter along to your friends.
However, we ask that you keep it intact and forward it in
its entirety.