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Cloudcroft Online Newsletter #37
December 8, 2000
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Dear Subscriber:

Again this season, Peggy has done a beautiful job. The
Christmas decorations are up around our house and even Misty
(our destructive 10 month old mutt) is showing her respect by
leaving the glittery, glowing things alone. Her only
transgression was chewing up an elf that had been one of
Peggy's favorites for over 10 years. Upon further review,
however, the destruction of the elf was not held against Misty
since it was located in the back of the car when she got to it
and it was not yet officially on public display. Otherwise it
would have been the worst imaginable punishment for Misty:
Banishment to bed without her nightly rawhide chewbone.

We can be so cruel to our dogs sometimes.

I had a dream last night. I was being chased across the White
House lawn by several people dressed in black robes and carrying
gavels. The way in front of me was blocked by several men in
three-piece suits carrying huge briefcases. I had no idea what
fate awaited me should I be overcome by either of these mobs,
but it didn't look good.

There, off to my left, was a small opening in the bushes. I
dove for it, only to be forced back on the other side of the
bushes by a large dimpled chad.

Try not to read anything into my reference to "bushes".

Oh, how I long for the nights when my dreams were of royal
flushes, chip shots a foot from the cup, snow-covered pines,
and fine wine.

David Thomas, Webmaster for Cloudcroft.com, is undergoing
similar problems coping with the situation in Florida and
accordingly all over our TV screens. I'm really worried
about him. He's a computer expert which, by nature, makes
him already susceptible to bouts of extreme reaction to
unusual situations. This presidential quandary has him talking
to himself. We're thinking seriously about putting him under
protective watch lest he blows up his IBM PC in an act of
exasperation.

Maybe, just maybe, after this presidential mess is straightened
out, David's emails to us will return to the day-to-day business
of coordinating the operation of the website.

Do these lawyers, judges, politicians and news pundits have any
idea the pressures they are putting our country's finest talents
under? This country's best brain-power has been collectively
distracted.

Perhaps, also, my newsletter introductions will show evidence of
a more consistent train of thought, although I rather doubt it,
since there was little sign of that BEFORE the election.

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. VILLAGE POLITICS
3. INSIDE THE SHOP -- DAISY'S TOO
4. CLOUDCROFT ON LINE SPOTLIGHT -- SALINAS PUEBLO MISSIONS
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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There has been an over-abundance of sunshine on the mountain
again this past week, making locals wonder what happened to the
promise of a snowy season delivered in the form of a strong
winter storm just before Thanksgiving.

Highs have been around 50. Lows in the low 20s. No new snow in
the past week.
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VILLAGE POLITICS
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When going down the hill to Alamogordo, we have been driving
past ancient human history just a stone's throw away.

The Federal Highway Department is funding an archeological
dig in a cave near the tunnel on US Highway 82 and their
findings have been fruitful, with artifacts dating back as
long as 3500 years ago being discovered.
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- DAISY'S TOO
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When staying in Cloudcroft, why not kick back with all the
comforts of home?

Daisy's Too is located in Silver Cloud just 2.5 miles from the
village on New Mexico Highway 130.

3 bedroom, 2 bath, fireplace with wood furnished. Fully
equipped kitchen. Satellite television.

Click on our link on Cloudcroft.com for more information.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- SALINAS PUEBLO MISSIONS
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Located near the central part of New Mexico in a sparsely
populated area of the state, the Salinas Pueblo Missions are
ruins of dwellings dating back to the early 17th century.
Near Mountainaire, New Mexico, the ruins may be a bit more
than a day trip from the Cloudcroft area, but is a worthwhile
inclusion to your trip.
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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - Are there snowmobiles for rent around Cloudcroft?

A - Yes. Ask at the Chamber of Commerce office. Their phone
number is (505) 682-2733.
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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 (if conditions
permit).

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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:

We spent a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday at "Bear Park".
Watched the snowflakes fly from the dining room, as we ate
dinner. We had family from Liberty Hill, Cedar Park, and
Lubbock, Texas, and from Albuquerque.

We are displaced New Mexicans, and felt as if we were coming
home. We had been there in October and had a great time,
especially at the Melodrama, that's when we decided to bring
our family back. Some of our family remembered coming there
years ago, and for some it was a new experience.

We all loved it, and hope to buy a place there, so we can
come more often. Everyone was so friendly and the members at
the Church of Christ gave us a warm welcome.

Thanks for the newsletter, we look forward to each edition.

Tom and Bette Spoonts,
Liberty Hill, Tx.

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Dear Newsletter:

We're Cloudcroft and New Mexico residents, but spend the winter
here in Cibolo, Texas (Scenic Hills), 10 miles south of New 
Braunfels, a couple of miles east of Interstate 35.

We appreciate the news of Cloudcroft on the weekly basis.
Although the Mountain Monthly fills us in on village activities,
we are especially interested in the School Bond issue. We sorely
need an addition or a new school, but not out on 130. Our close
Cloudcroft friends tell us that the wording will not include
"to be constructed on the Hiway 82 school property". If you
are aware of any changes, please publish them.

Thanks for your Newsletter.

Dayton Blanchard
Cibolo. Tx

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Dear Newsletter:

Just wanted to say thanks for the newsletter. It took me back
in time to the happiest times of my life. Cloudcroft was and
I guess always will be my home, although I don't know that I
will ever be able to return for any amount of time. I love to
visit, although I don't get too very often. Just a little note
to say HELLO to all the wonderful people in that part of the
country!

Once again--thanks again for helping me to remember and for
taking me back to a wonderful past!!

Kenna Crnkovic (Foreman)

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Dear Newsletter:

I don't normally get riled by the opinions of others, but I
felt I had to reply to Bud Sparks' letter on oil prices, which
really got my back up. He suggests that the Arabic countries
might "decide to hold us hostage" over oil supplies for whatever
reason. Hostage? Hey, Bud, they don't have to sell their oil,
you know. It is their oil, coming out of the ground in their
sovereign territory, not America's.

It's not a matter of hostages, just economics. The US presently
has the advantage of some of the lowest gas prices in the world.
If the prices rise, then maybe this help will bring home the
reality of the full costs of relying on fossil fuels. If foreign
oil producers decide they don't want to sell oil to America for
whatever reason, then that is their right and our hard luck
(or bad diplomacy).

I won't start on the other issues raised by driving thousands
of miles in gas-guzzling motor homes for pleasure purposes...
I am not completely innocent in those regards myself.

I love the Cloudcroft Newsletter (including the letters--keep
them coming!) and feel privileged to live here on the mountain.

Pete Newman,
Sunspot, NM

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Dear Newsletter:

I know a LOT of Baby Boomers who weren't at Woodstock. Heck,
I don't even know too many who would admit to it if they did go.
Of course I went to Texas A&M, class of '73. That could explain
it.

My wife (she worked at the Lodge in the early '70's) and I love
Cloudcroft and are planning to head out your way soon.

George K. & Margie Allbright Munson,
Angleton, Texas

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