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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #40
December 29, 2000
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Dear Subscriber:

It is out with the old and in with the new. It is a refreshing
time of year for most of us. It is like starting over...doing
it again until we get it right.

The year 2000 was interesting. From my perspective, here are
the top ten events of Y2K.

1. Everyone in the country knows who killed Nichole Simpson,
Ron Goldman and Jon Benet Ramsey, but in the year 2000 the
crimes remained unsolved (this item will likely appear in NEXT
YEAR'S list of events).

2. It was Bill Clinton's 8th and final year in the White House.
It will take another 8 years to figure out what he accomplished.
By that time, his wife may be president.

3. Stock investors started the year slapping themselves for not
investing in tech stocks. They ended the year glad they still
had their money in Wal-Mart, GE and coffee cans buried in the
backyard.

4. It was the most boring pro football season in memory.

5. It was the year of the 18-inch satellite dish. Now, 10 times
more Americans see Adam 12 each week than when the show was new.

6. Two-wheel foot scooters are the rage. The same two-wheel
foot scooters we used to ride around on 40 years ago. Hello!

7. Several people named Chad officially applied for a name
change.

8. The year 2000 might be the last year Monday Night Football
will be on the ABC Network. Rumors abound that Monday Night
Football in 2001 will be moved to Comedy Central.

9. Santa Clause announced he would no longer accept requests
from children in crayon on Big Chief tablet paper. From now on,
emails only.

10. Madonna got married. It was the only thing she hadn't done
with a man.

Good-bye, Y2K. You came in with a big build-up. With all said
and done, you turned out to be a colossal waste of time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. VILLAGE POLITICS
3. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- OLIVER LEE PARK
4. Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
5. COMING EVENTS
6. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
7. CONTACT INFORMATION
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LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
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A strong snowfall the day after Christmas has turned the
Sacramentos white again. Temperatures are staying relatively
low, so melting is minimal. There should be a nice stand of the
white stuff for New Year's visitors. The snow play areas and
skating rink are open. Highs are around 30. Lows coming close
to zero on clear nights.
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VILLAGE POLITICS
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Lots of re-modelling going on in the village. The old Sleepy
Eye Trading Company building is getting a face lift. A building
behind Sleepy Eye (next to Scotty's LPG) has been completely
remodeled. Word is that it will be used for retail space.
Emporium Mall is undergoing extensive renovation and the new
First National Bank Cloudcroft Branch should open in January.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- OLIVER LEE STATE PARK
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Located on the West-facing escarpment of the Sacramento
Mountains near Alamogordo, Oliver Lee State Park is a fully
restored historic ranch house. The area is complete with RV
dumping facilities, rest rooms, camping and hiking. See their
web site under "links" on Cloudcroft.com.
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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - New Mexico has a lot of tourism. What other industries
are in New Mexico?

A - While there is some oil, gas and agriculture in the state,
New Mexico is also one of the Federal government's largest
employees. There are several Federal government installations
in the state, including air force bases and scientific labs.
The World Almanac lists Federal government employees in New
Mexico as one of the highest paid cross-sections in the state
(Averaging $41,000 annually).
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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December 31 -- Torch Light Parade. Ski Cloudcroft. Beginning
around dusk.

January 8 -- Sacramento Mountains Sports Association youth
basketball league sign-ups. 7pm-9pm. Middle School.

January 10 -- Sacramento Regional Tree Farm Group meeting. 1pm.
16 Springs Community Center.

January 25 -- Sacramento Mountains Sports Association meeting.
6pm. Middle School.

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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 Don:

I own Cloudcroft Gear and I've had many a conversation with
customers regarding your newsletter. I'm closing my shop Dec 31
and wanted to thank you for bringing some conversation TO the
businesses rather than FROM us when folks come in. Also a thank
you to any of my customers that read your weekly.

Jean Bermudez

PS: I'm still gonna get this newsletter as long as you'll write
it...toilets, toilets,...oh to be knowledgeable...smile.

[Thank you for the kind words and the very best of luck for
2001!]

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Dear Newsletter:

Thanks for issue #39. It is our link with the outside world of
Cloudcroft.

Downtown San Antonio on the Riverwalk is spectacular, as always.
Ann and I spent last weekend at the Marriott Rivercenter. We
have done this every year. As luck would have it, the river
Posado was in full swing. Three barges with the Live Nativity
Scene, the Magi, and the Shepherds. Music filled the Riverwalk,
from several Riverboats with carolers and accompanying
instruments. This, plus thousands of lights suspended from the
trees, made it a Christmas Gala.

Riverwalk restaurants were packed with evening diners. For
those of you who have never witnessed this spectacular display,
it's worth the trip. However, we miss Christmas in Cloudcroft
and the lights of Burro Avenue, but our children here in this
area have priority this year. 

Our best wishes to all in Cloudcroft.
Happy Christmas, and "Think Snow".

Ann and Dayton Blanchard 
Cibolo, Texas, in Scenic Hills

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