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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #36
December 1, 2000
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Dear Subscriber:

One page left on the calendar. It is hard to believe that it
has been a whole year since much of civilization had its
underwear in a wad over Y2K. Of course you will be hard pressed
to find anyone who will admit to being a part of the Y2K panic
today. It is a little like finding a 'Boomer who wasn't at
Woodstock.

The only remnant of that experience remaining around my house is
a 5 gallon can of kerosene for my heater. I recall having to
stand in line for a short time to buy it December 30th of 1999.

Many folks carried their panic to extremes. There was a spike
in wilderness land sales around Cloudcroft where people were
setting up housekeeping in their newly acquired travel trailers
fully equipped with non-perishable food and firepower. They were
prepared to ride out the chaos that would result in the complete
implosion of the world's computer systems.

Fortunately there was no such implosion. Unfortunately my credit
card bills arrived on time as usual in January of 2000.

I would venture a guess that one can find excellent deals on
slightly used travel trailers, like-new firearms, and cases of
canned chili during the past year.

In the year since Y2K, we have seen other unprecedented phenomena,
like the first national election in history where every single
registered voter in Florida says they voted.

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. VILLAGE POITICS
3. INSIDE THE SHOP -- CLOUDCROFT INN MOTEL
4. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- WHITE SANDS TEST FACILITY
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 week in sharp contrast with the snowy days before
Thanksgiving. Temperatures in the Cloudcroft area have reached
into the upper 40s with mostly sunshine. Lows are around the
lower to mid 20s. No new snow in the past week. While there
are still spots that can handle tubing, overall snow cover is
minimal.
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VILLAGE POLITICS
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The Emporium Mall, owned for the past several years by Carl
and Toni Wright, has been sold to Gary Mack Real Estate. The
Wrights are planning to return to their hometown of San Angelo,
Texas.

Wendy Mack told us the mall (located on the Burro Avenue
Boardwalk) will be remodeled and restored to its original
appearance when built in the 40s. The upstairs, which at one
time was the location of the popular Kokopelli's Restaurant, is
slated to be converted into a hotel, with 7 rooms including a
full size suite that will overlook Burro Street.

Merchants downstairs in the mall are staying as before with the
exception of Micheal Wright's Sports Card Universe. Micheal
will be returning to Texas with his parents and is said to be
planning a future as a stock broker.
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- CLOUDCROFT INN MOTEL
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Easy to find on Highway 82 in Cloudcroft at the intersection of
New Mexico Highway 130. Rooms are non-smoking. Some with fire-
places. Walking distance from Burro Street shopping. See their
website on Cloudcroft.com.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- WHITE SANDS TEST FACILITY
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The White Sands Test Facility is involved in several facets of
research with regard to propulsion and space science, but
concentrates mainly on NASA-related projects. WSTF also
maintains a runway suitable to land the Space Shuttle should
its primary landing site in Florida be unavailable for any
reason. See their website under "Links" on Cloudcroft.com.
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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - We're planning a trip to Cloudcroft, but if there's a lot
of snow on the ground, can I find someone that can install tire
chains on my car? I've never put chains on before.

A - There are no designated tire chain installers in the
village, but just about everyone that lives here has had the
experience. Your best bet: Walk into the bar and yell, "Is
there anybody in here that can put on my tire chains?"

I'll bet you get a taker. Pay him, though. His beer probably
got warm while he was helping you.
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COMING EVENTS
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December 12 -- Cloudcroft School District bond election

December 16 -- Santa Town. Zenith Park

December 16 -- Pet Parade. Burro Street

December 23 -- Caroling in the Clouds. Lantern-lit caroling
from Burro Avenue to the museum beginning at 4 pm.

December 31 -- Torch light parade. Ski Cloudcroft.

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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:

Don, I'm very pleased that you mentioned David Lane in the
newsletter. My dealings with him over the past 6 years have
always been top-of-the-line. Also, the local electrician, Rick
Medina, is a gem to work with. We are truly blessed to have pros
like this in our midst.

Thanks again for the newsletter, I know how much work goes into
it. Your professional training in news work may turn out to be
a curse. Lets hope not...we truly appreciate you and your
efforts.

Regards
Bob Hemperley

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Dear Newsletter:

Hi Don! It's Brenda Burkham-Brogdon again. Hope your Turkey Day
was a great one. Ours was wet! :o) But, I'm not complaining, as
we need the rain so badly. 

I am writing this go-around to ask you something. If you have a
digital camera would you take some pictures of your area and
put them on your newsletter? I think it would be great! It
would give everyone the feel of being there. Just a suggestion.
I know I would love to see some pics of the area. 

I wish you and yours a wonderful Holiday Season! 

Best wishes always, 
Brenda Burkham-Brogdon
Santo, Texas

[We are working on this addition to Cloudcroft.com.]

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Dear Newsletter:

Thx for the snow update. We will be spending the holidays out
at the cabin in Waterfall and family members want to know how
much snow to expect. (Some of the grandkids have never seen snow
down here in the Gulf Coast area of Texas.) We'll be checking in!

The Keith Family,
Galveston Texas 

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Dear Newsletter:

Your commentary on the potential deadlock in government and the
positive side of it brought to mind an aspect of governmental
neglect we might want to consider. We have been complaining
about the high cost of fuel, natural gas, etc., but I suggest
we "ain't seen nothin' yet". We are currently importing 57% to
60% of our oil. We have no energy policy, nor have we had
anything like it in evidence that I can recall in my 71 years.

We drive a diesel-powered motor home when we go on vacations
to Cloudcroft or wherever, many others drive RV's of some nature,
and the rest drive their autos to come to Cloudcroft, go to work,
church and wherever else they might need or wish to go. If we
think energy costs are high now, take a minute to consider what
the cost could be if we continue our dependence on OPEC and
other exporters of oil and our own continental resources are
neglected, especially if the Arabic countries decide to hold us
hostage for our support of their "enemies". Our American
producers, explorers and refiners need our country to provide
incentives and encouragement so that we can be self-reliant in
the event of such an occurrence.

I'm not being an alarmist, just cautious. Last year we took at
least one trip a month in our RV, but since about March, we
have only been "on the road again" 3 times. If the prices of
diesel and propane get any higher, we may just use the RV as a
rental property here in our backyard and remove and sell the
wheels for salvage. 

Meanwhile, Merry Christmas to all.

Bud Sparks,
Clifton, TX

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Dear Newsletter:

A friend of mine recently forwarded to me issue #34 of the
Cloudcroft Newsletter, Nov. 17, 2000. We are "summer New
Mexicans", living at our place at Ponderosa Pines Golf Course
about 4 or 5 months each year.

Our thoughtful friends who forwarded the newsletter spend as
much time as possible at their place at Twin Forks, east of
Cloudcroft, and knew we'd love to receive news of our favorite
place on earth~~Cloudcroft. Please put us on your email
"mailing" list.

We moved up to the Cloudcroft area last summer from High Rolls.
That wasn't many miles, but it made all the difference in the
world being in cooler, more moist weather. Thank you, and we're
looking forward to the next issue.

Lila Currin

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Dear Newsletter:

Hello from Guitartown. I came thru 3 years ago with my then
14 yr. old and will be back next summer with my next 14 yr old.
I was 14 when we made the BIG move from EL PASO to DALLAS, way
back in the summer of love '69. I just wanted to tell you that
it was really nice to see that GOD'S chosen spot on the good
earth had really not changed much. We knocked around the area
from 60-69. I'm only 45 yrs. young and I remembered a lot when
we drove thru, and almost made it back to pine springs.

Thanks for the update every month. I won't be telling too many
people about the little big well known secret in NM.

Peace from Music City
Christopher Harris

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Dear Newsletter:

Our family spent Thanksgiving in Cloudcroft (actually in a
cabin in 16 Springs Canyon) and had the best time. We had
Thanksgiving dinner at the Lodge and, as we were leaving our
cabin to come to town, it began to snow lightly. Fortunately,
the snow held off until we had dinner and returned to the cabin.

It snowed very nicely then for the next two hours, which was
loads of fun for all of us, especially our two daughters. We
came back to Cloudcroft on Saturday to shop.

Cloudcroft is a wonderful place and we look forward to coming
back at every opportunity.

The Phillips Family
Lubbock, Texas

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Dear Newsletter:

First I'd like to say that I love your newsletter! It is so
wonderful to have news of Cloudcroft and the surrounding area.
We recently lived in Alamogordo and are just counting the days
until we can retire on the property we have in Mayhill.

Please say you are not talking about closing the great little
county store located at the top of mountain as you come into
town! My husband and I always stop at that store EVERY TIME
we come into town. We love all the fresh baked breads and pies.
It would be a terrible shame to lose this great store. I feel
it is a Cloudcroft tradition - no - a necessity! What happened?

Teri and Al Alvarez
Pensacola, Fl

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