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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #247
December 31, 2004
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Dear Subscriber:

The new year is here. Pour yourself some cheer and pull up your
chair. It's time for me to get a few things off my chest.

I'm really weary of Politically Correct.

P.C. is a way of some people with their own agendas to force
their attitudes down the rest of our throats. Here are some
examples:

Gravity challenged, scholastically challenged or cosmetically
challenged still means to me that someone is fat, ignorant or
ugly. Before you email me for being so insensitive, I'll
confess to the fact that I'm all three.

Fifty years ago, people had bad habits. Now, they have a
disease.

I had an uncle that drank too much. In those days the relatives
used to whisper that he had "the habit". Nowadays they would
say he had a disease.

I always thought a disease was something like Black Plague or
Yellow Fever...conditions that people acquired through no fault
of their own.

Now, P.C. dictates that if you do something dumb, you have a
disease. If you gamble too much you have a disease. If you run
around on your wife you have a disease. If you drive too fast
you...you get my drift.

My point is this. Politically correct definitions negate any
personal responsibility. It's getting to the point that no one
has to face up to their own shortcomings. Instead of saying I'm
a jerk, PC says all you have to say is I'm sick.

Traditionally, this is the time of year to make resolutions.

I resolve to let people live their own lives. If they're living
their lives contrary to my beliefs and convictions, that's their
business. I'll try and avoid talking about them behind their
backs.

I resolve to talk less and listen more. Believe me, that's
going to be a tough resolution to keep.

I was going to resolve to be more tolerant but I think I've
already blown that one.

The Denver Broncos should be in the playoffs. They lost some
games they should have won. Although I'm a Broncos fan, I
resolve to forgive them.

They must have some kind of disease.

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. PICTURE OF THE WEEK -- MISTY ON THE ALERT FOR INTRUDERS
3. VILLAGE NEWS
4. INSIDE THE SHOP -- SLEEPY BEAR TOWNHOUSE
5. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- SPENCER THEATER
6. Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
7. COMING EVENTS
8. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
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LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
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A relatively warm week. No new precipitation since Christmas.
High 50 degrees at 11:30am Monday (12-27). Low 4 degrees at 7am
Friday (12-24).

Total precipitation for the year to date, 25.29 inches.

Up to date weather information for Cloudcroft can be found at
Cloudcroft.com. It's free.
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PICTURE OF THE WEEK -- MISTY ON THE ALERT FOR INTRUDERS
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http://www.cloudcroft.com/pics/cloudcroft11.jpg

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VILLAGE NEWS
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Residents of Cloudcroft were notified Tuesday that a major leak
in the water supply had been detected but not localized.

Village officials were asking residents to check their systems
for any leaks.

Before this latest emergency, Cloudcroft was already operating
under emergency water usage status.
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- SLEEPY BEAR TOWNHOUSE
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Whether you enjoy golfing, hiking, hunting, snow skiing,
snowmobiling or just relaxing, you will love this Southwest
style townhouse. This beautiful 3-level townhouse overlooks the
8th hole of the Lodge Golf Course. With 5-1/2 bedrooms and 3
baths, it sleeps 13 comfortably. A fully-equipped kitchen,
satellite TV, fireplace, two decks, spa tub, and washer and
dryer will make your stay one to remember! See the link to our
web site on the Lodging page of Cloudcroft.com:

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

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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- SPENCER THEATER
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In Alto, about an hour from Cloudcroft.

http://www.spencertheater.com/

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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - Does Cloudcroft have a police department?

A - Yes. Our ratio of law enforcement persons to civilian
population is one of the highest in the state.
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COMING EVENTS
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January 5 -- High Noon book club. Noon in the library. Bring
your lunch and join us in discussing "Whale Talk" by Chris
Crutcher.

February 4, 5, 6, 7 -- Mardi Gras celebration. Cloudcroft.

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 Wednesday morning.

Free Vitals Clinic. Cloudcroft Senior Citizens Center, every
Wednesday. High Rolls Senior Citizens Center, first Thursday
of each month.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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Dear Newsletter:

I was so sorry to hear of the tragedy in Cloudcroft and about
the death of one of the fine deputies of Otero Co. I have
experienced personally and have heard from many of my friends
what a wonderful Sheriff’s Dept. you have there. 

Could you please fill us in as to his family and what
arrangements are being made to care for them? I know that
Cloudcroft is a loving and caring community but those of us
who can’t live there yet would also like to be involved.
Whenever someone lays his life down protecting others it is
our responsibility to see to it that his family is cared for,
and that his efforts were not in vain. 
 
Thanks so much for your efforts on the newsletter.
 
Keep up the good work.
 
Kevin Haley
Abilene, TX

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Dear Newsletter:

Amy Nelson at 1st National Bank has established an account 
for donations to help Dep. Hedman's family. 

Bill Lord
Las Cruces & N. Loop Rd, Cloudcroft 

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Dear Newsletter:

Please convey my deepest sympathy to the family and friends
of Deputy Robert Hedman, and to the people of Cloudcroft. 

Tragedy is never easy to deal with, much less so at this 
season which is supposed to signal peace and joy to all. 
When that tragedy happens so close to home and to one we 
know, it is doubly difficult to accept. 

Those of us who know Cloudcroft to be one of the world's 
special places will have Deputy Hedman and his family in 
our thoughts and prayers.
 
Sandy Woods 
Austin, Texas

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Dear Newsletter:

How very sad to hear of the tragic loss in your wonderful 
Cloudcroft. Our prayers are with all who are being affected 
by this tragedy.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Cathy Vaughn
Friendswood, Texas

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Dear Newsletter:

My heart goes out to our losses of the officers in the line 
of duty! This is a continuation of a very bad week for the 
Sankary family of Fort Worth and Alto in the losses of Mother
Weil, the most giving and loving soul I have ever known, my 
nephew, age 42,who died of a brain tumor, leaving two 
beautiful young daughters and an equally beautiful young wife,
and my dear friend, Eddie Luskey, who served in Korea and was
a sincere and special friend to many in Ft Worth and Lubbock.

What a sad week! I'm sure the season will improve ...may we get
our boys back from Iraq...may we settle our family disputes
in peace...may we come together as a nation with common goals
and direction...and meaningful lives. 

Thank you for the unbiased reporting of the news and the
special family connection that it gives to us all!

Edward M Sankary

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Dear Newsletter:

Upon waking this morning I was informed by family that one of 
our finest was no longer with us. 

I am compelled to write in hopes that my words may bring comfort
to someone, anyone. Knowing that people, often times strangers,
have concern and kindness for his or her fellow man, has carried
me through the rough times. 

I am stationed at Holloman AFB, have been for almost 6 years,
and have come to think of Alamogordo and the surrounding
communities as a second home. It pains me to think such tragedy
could be instilled on the people who live here. Though it may
not matter much, in light of the magnitude of this event, I 
send my deepest condolences to the people who have been affected
by this loss. 

People serving our country whether they be in the military, 
police officers or firefighters hold a special place in my
heart. Because of them I am truly thankful. I keep you all in
my thoughts and send my prayers during this holiday season. 

Yours truly,
Air Force Senior Airman Robin Drake
Holloman AFB, NM/Alamogordo, NM

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Dear Newsletter:

I've been reading the newsletter for several years now and I
enjoy it immensely. Please keep writing for a long, long time
to come!

I want to extend my condolences to Cloudcroft residents who
lost a good friend last Saturday night. What a tragedy. I
remember feeling that lack-of-stress sense of "innocence" 
and peaceful calm when I was last visiting Cloudcroft over
Labor Day weekend. I trust it will return for all of you once
the shock and grief subside. My prayers go out for all of you.

Have a very Merry Christmas (yes, I AM politically incorrect
enough to keep saying that!) and a happy, healthy, prosperous,
and very PEACEFUL 2005!

Sincerely,
Becky Johnson

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Dear Newsletter:

Sorry to hear about the violence that rocked y'all's world,
especially the deputy and his family. I'm thankful to hear
that my friend Billy Anders was successful in ending this
horrible ordeal. Billy was a San Antonio City Police Officer
before moving on to what I call heaven (Cloudcroft), and I'm
sure that he has faced many situations such as this. 

It is too bad that these kinds of things happen, but 
thankfully we have our people in uniform to take care of
business, unfortunately sometimes it comes at a terrible price.

Zach Beadle
Devine Texas

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Dear Newsletter:

I was told of the incident involving Billy Anders by a mutual
friend of mine and Billy's today. 

I have known and worked with Billy for a long time. He was a
Captain with the San Antonio Police Dept and I am still a
Detective with the SAPD. He and I lived in the same small South
Texas town for some time until his retirement and his move to
New Mexico.

It is unfortunate to hear of the incident but it is a reminder
of the type of job that law enforcement is called upon to
undertake. I know that Billy never had to make this kind of
decision in his career here with our Department. It is a
decision that no one wants to make and it will stay with him
forever. 

Just to let you know, Billy was always a kind, caring person
in his civilian life as well as his in his role as a Police
Officer. I enjoyed working around him and knowing that he was
a person who always displayed a true, caring personality in or
out of uniform. 

The main thing that I wanted to relate is that this type of
incident, although rare in your type of area, is the thing that
people don't take into consideration when talking salary,
benefits, etc. Police Officers aren't paid for what they do,
they are paid for what they might have to do. Thank God that
Billy was ready. 

My prayers are with Billy and the family of the other Deputy
as well. 

Jerry Beck

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