++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #207
March 26, 2004
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Subscriber:

I like my coffee black.

Every once in a long while, however, I'll have my coffee with
a half pack of sugar free and a little Coffee Mate. I don't
particularly like it that way but variety is good.

I like my steak medium rare but sometimes I go a little crazy
and order it well done, just to get a little of that char
taste.

We all have our favorite things but someone once said variety
is the spice of life.

Peggy's birthday was March 20. She was upstaged a little
because it was also the first day of spring and it lived up to
its billing. It was a beautiful warm sunny day in Cloudcroft.
The aromas that had been masked by the cold during the winter
had tentatively returned. As I stood on the deck drinking my
coffee (black) a bee dive bombed me. He, like I, was a little
giddy with the dramatic change in seasons. While his comrades
waited in the hive to be sure it wasn't going to get cold again
he couldn't wait to find someone's hat to attack.

I like winter in these mountains, but I'm particularly fond of
the warm weather months. The main reason we were attracted to
this place in the first place was the variety of its seasons.
Four distinct seasons...each with its own particular
personality. The winter and its snows and chill and
fireplaces, the spring with its greening and rejuvenation, the
summer with its bright sunshine cut down to the comfort zone
by cool mountain breezes and the fall with its glorious color
show.

I've retrieved the old chain saw and cleaned and oiled her (Why
do I refer to my chain saw in the feminine? Don't know.) and
went up the hill and cut some logs. When getting dressed this
morning I skipped the long johns. Peg and I took the pickup and
the car to the car wash for spring cleaning.

We're all set for Mother Nature's sense of humor. She'll
probably dump one more foot of snow on us before she's done.

Go ahead, Mr. Bee. Buzz innocent bystanders should that be your
want, but remember where the hive is. Winter may not have
retreated. It may just be hiding.

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

----------------------------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE
----------------------------------------------------------------
1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. VILLAGE NEWS
3. INSIDE THE SHOP -- BURRO STREET BOARDING HOUSE
4. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- PUBLIC LANDS
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
----------------------------------------------------------------
A dramatic change. Highs in the mid-60s. Lows around 30.
Breezy. Even a little spring shower early in the week.
----------------------------------------------------------------
VILLAGE NEWS
----------------------------------------------------------------
After 11 years as Cloudcroft's hardware man, Gerald's selling
the store.

Village Hardware is officially for sale. The Heinzelmann's are
also looking to sell their home. They're not thinking of moving
out of town, but their grandkids are growing up and visit less
frequently...therefore they don't need all the room.

A few bites but no official buyer. If you're interested, call
Village Hardware.
----------------------------------------------------------------
INSIDE THE SHOP --- BURRO STREET BOARDING HOUSE
----------------------------------------------------------------
Recapture the almost forgotten ambiance of the Boardinghouse!
This updated version of a log home is furnished with comfortable
country antiques, complete with wood burning stove, decks that
overlook Cloudcroft, and a cozy kitchen where an old fashioned
breakfast is served daily. All rooms have queen beds, private
baths, and lovely views. Just a half block from the "boardwalk"
shopping area. For more information, call (888) 682-3601, email
lindalc@tularosa.net, or see the link to our web site on the
Lodging page of Cloudcroft.com:

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

----------------------------------------------------------------
CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT --- PUBLIC LANDS SITE
----------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.publiclands.org/

----------------------------------------------------------------
Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
----------------------------------------------------------------
Q - Why doesn't Cloudcroft pave its residential roads? It would
cut back on the dust problem.

A - Those that I have talked to say it's a simple matter of
funding or the lack thereof. There are also those in the village
that feel pavement goes against the grain of a natural village
ambiance. Those are probably the people that live on the paved
streets.
----------------------------------------------------------------
COMING EVENTS
----------------------------------------------------------------
April 7 -- High Noon book club. 12pm. In the library. Bring
your lunch and join us in discussing "Life of Pi" by Yann
Martel.

April 10 -- Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bonnet Parade

April 11 -- Community Sunrise Service. Baptist Church, 7am.
There will be a breakfast following the service.

April 17-18 -- Rattlesnake Roundup. Alamogordo.

May 8 -- Old Timer's Reunion

May 29, 30 -- Mayfest

June 12 -- Miss New Mexico "Show Me Your Shoe" Parade. Golf
Tournament at the Lodge Golf Course. Proceeds go to the
Scholarship Account for the Miss NM Contestants.

June 18, 19, 20 -- Western Roundup

June 25-27 -- Chimney Spring Bluegrass Festival. For more
information call 505-687-3520.

July 10, 11 -- July Jamboree

July 23-25 -- Singing in the Clouds. We invite all to join us
for some great gospel singing, solo's, trio's, quartet's, and a
lot of group singing by all. (325) 691-9123.

September 19 -- Gary Johnson’s Cloudcroft Run. World’s highest
certified 10k run. For more information call 505-687-2133.

October 2, 3 -- Oktoberfest

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. March program is "The Basics of Art" by Ed Woten.
All artists are welcome - especially beginning artists.

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
----------------------------------------------------------------
Put CC-Editor in the subject line of all communications to the
Newsletter.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Newsletter:

We so enjoy getting your newsletter. We have been to Cloudcroft
perhaps 3 times. We look forward to retiring to New Mexico in
a few years. We may not be able to afford to live in your great
village, but nearby where we can visit whenever we get the urge!

I get a kick out of you calling Alamogordo the big city since
we live in Wichita, Ks which is getting close to 400,000! Is
there something that can be done about that burnt out trailer
you mentioned on Hwy 82? Can we write or e-mail someone who
would be in charge of that unsightly view?

Love your pet stories. Keep up the great work.
 
Thanks, 
Mike and Donna Poer
Wichita, Ks

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

I forwarded your picture taken at Holloman to my son Riok who
was the commander of the 7th at Holloman before his retirement.
He's now an airline pilot.

Still wish I could get out that way permanently (just a dream
I guess). Headed for Portales in May for grandson's graduation
(high school).

Carol Dunham
Spring Hill, FloriDUH

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

In your moment of juicelessness, you produced an excellent
work of art. I'm tempted to beg you to publish a book of these,
sort of a "Lake Woebegone" feel.

Please know, we enjoy your work, and when we can afford it, or
we win the Lotto, you're or next vacation destination. From
someone else who has four dogs, all rescued, and all, a bit...
um...well, short ears would be an improvement for this lot.
Anyway, from us, to you, thank you.

Champ and Kathryn Kerr
Jubilation T. Cornpone, Gina Marie, Joy,
and Tipper, the Canine Crew.

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

When I was 4 years old I got my first dog. Coincidentally, he
looked almost exactly like Kit Richards' new pup. I vividly
remember this little guy curled up in my lap on the ride home.

There is something special about the relationship between a boy
and his dog that cannot be described, it has to be experienced.

I don't know if you were fishing for suggestions, but I named
my pup Sport. Feel free to use it if you so desire. Thanks for
sharing your stories as I look forward to reading them.

Jerry Holowak
Frisco, Tx.

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

Great Newsletter, again! Our dog, Bella, also chews her
toenails! Of course she does not see herself as a dog, but a
most important member of the family. She bosses the big male,
Coda around and he just goes with the flow!

The picture of the new border collie puppy was cute. How about
Flash or Dazzle as a name? Those eyes do mesmerize!
 
D'Niese Mills
Mayhill 

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

Today's Ruidoso News has a story about a fire that totally
destroyed a building used as a "hostel" in the unpopulated
ranch country south of Carrizozo.

http://www.oscurohostel.com/fire/pages/100_0072.htm

And there is a fascinating slide show showing the progress of
the fire and the aftermath on this web site:

http://www.oscurohostel.com/fire/pages/100_0072.htm

Now I know just a little bit about fighting fires, and it seems
to me that pouring water onto a metal roof while the building
below burns is not exactly going to accomplish much, and didn't
in this instance. In fact you can see in the series of photos
that most of the water is simply running back off the roof
right at the firefighter's feet!

Jack L. Schuller

================================================================
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.