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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #47
February 16, 2001
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Dear Subscriber:

Spring may not be knocking on the door, but it's coming up the
walkway. Parkas are giving way to sweaters and the days do
seem a little less biting. The telltale wind gusts that
accompany spring-like conditions have the tall pines swaying.

Yet it is only mid-February and my guess is (born out by
Mother Nature's performance in past winters), we'll likely have
more snow in the Sacramentos before it is time to re-grip the
golf clubs. Word has it that the ground-hog saw his shadow,
which only indicates to me that we put an inordinate amount of
faith in a rodent and that the only sure thing we can depend
upon is six more weeks of basketball.

-0-

Is it just me or are we getting a heavier-than-usual dose of
Congressional hearings on TV?

I'm old enough to remember the McCarthy hearings in the 50s...
the first government hearings broadcast on the tube. Then 
there seemed a long stretch before the cameras focused on the 
Watergate hearings in the 70s. Yet in the past 10 years it 
seems we've been inundated with hearings. Campaign finance 
hearings, confirmation hearings, impeachment hearings....
I'm surprised there's not a Congressional hearing network on
cable television (C-Span notwithstanding).

Right now we're being treated to hearings on how and why the TV
networks botched the election night coverage in November.

To me it is a no-brainer. For those of you old enough to
remember Cronkite, Brinkley and Murrow, you will likely agree
that the news-gatherers and reporters of today are, for the
most part, more dedicated to the "show business" aspects of
journalism than they are to the concept of getting out the 
accurate story.

In any case, I find myself in the vast wasteland of television.
I admit to being a news junkie. I can't stand sitcoms. I'm not
a big basketball or hockey fan, XFL only provides comic relief
and the shopping channel is like watching paint dry.

What's left? The Senate hearings and Regis Filbin.

I'll take the hearings and that's my final answer.

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. VILLAGE NEWS
3. SPECIAL -- PANORAMIC PHOTOS
4. INSIDE THE SHOP -- THE WESTERN
5. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- SACRAMENTO RANGER DIST.
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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No new snow since this past Thursday, but there is still an
amount on the ground sufficient for tubing and snow play.

The past week's temperatures have been a bit warmer than recent
weeks. Highs have occasionally been in the fifties with the 
lows in the high 20s/low 30s.

For the most up-to-minute snow conditions, contact the 
Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce. If there is any significant 
new snowfall, we will post a report on the front page of 
Cloudcroft.com.
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VILLAGE NEWS
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Rails-To-Trails is exactly what the title implies. The railroad
left Cloudcroft in 1947. For years the track beds left behind
lay dormant until Rails-To-Trails was organized. This
organization has transformed the rail-beds into amazing hiking
trails that are a highlight of anyone's trip to the Sacramento
Mountains.

Rails-To-Trails will hold its annual meeting on February 23rd
at 7pm at the Alamogordo Women's Club. Members and interested
persons are invited. The program will include an awards
ceremony and refreshments.

For more information contact Tom Springer at (505) 682-3040.
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SPECIAL -- PANORAMIC PHOTOS
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Kit Richards of the National Solar Observatory, Sunspot, New
Mexico has created some very interesting panoramic photos which
he has kindly made available to Cloudcroft.com visitors.

Here's a wonderful image of Burro Street, made by combining 
four digital photos:

http://www.cloudcroft.com/views/burro.htm

Here's a 360-degree panoramic view of the Hwy 82 overlook area 
at the tunnel entrance between Cloudcroft and Alamogordo made
by combining 12 digital photos:

http://www.cloudcroft.com/views/tunnel.htm

Because these are panoramic views, the images are quite large.
The Burro Street image is 155,000 bytes and the Tunnel Overlook
image is 435,000 bytes. 
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- THE WESTERN
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The Western Bar and Restaurant is one of Cloudcroft's most
recognizable landmarks. Located on the Burro Street boardwalk
for over 50 years, The Western is the central part of Cloudcroft
night-life for both locals and visitors.

The Western Cafe has a varied menu and is open early for
breakfast.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- SACRAMENTO RANGER DISTRICT
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The Sacramento Ranger District is the National Forest Service
office located in Cloudcroft. The Ranger District office is the
direct liaison of the Forest Service with the residents and
visitors to the Sacramento Mountains. For information concerning
camping facilities, firewood harvesting and other forest-related
matters, contact the Sacramento Ranger District office at
(505) 682-2551.
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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - What kind of fire protection is there for homes in and
around Cloudcroft?

A - Besides the protection afforded by the National Forest
Service, we are also served by 9 different volunteer units
distributed throughout the area. All volunteer departments are
well-equipped and are dedicated to a high level of training 
and readiness. The volunteer departments actually play a 
significant roll in fire fighting during periods of wildfire 
activity such as the Scott Able Fire last May.
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COMING EVENTS
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February 18 -- Bill and Laurie Sky performance. Cloudcroft
United Methodist Church. 11am.

February 22 -- Sacramento Mountains Sports Association meeting.
Middle School. 6pm.

February 25 -- Lake Lucero Tour. White Sands. For details and
reservations, call (505) 479-6124.

March 3 -- Photography workshop. White Sands. 10am - 3pm.
Call (505) 479-6124 for more information.

March 10 -- 2nd Annual Cloudcroft Dance Theatre Dinner & Ball.
6pm.

March 24 -- Mayhill Family, Community and Education Club
Cultural Arts Show. Alamogordo Fairgrounds.

If you have news of a public event, email us.

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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:

I became acquainted with Cloudcroft and the newsletter several
months ago after a visit by Michael Nivison to our community. 
He was addressing a meeting of area county commissioners on his
resolution concerning better management of National Forest lands.

I hope to be in your area the end of March, over at White Sands
Missile Range, for the annual Bataan Death March ceremony. Our
community of Sturgis, South Dakota (yes, the Sturgis -- 
motorcycle heaven in August), has three Junior Marine ROTC teams
that compete.

I am a reporter for the regional daily and want to go this year
and cover the event. Since I am a 53-year-old fat guy, I won't 
be doing the 26.2 mile march with the kids (they do it in a 
little under 6 hours - my time, between ambulance rides and 
hospital stays would be closer to 6 months), I'll simply be 
going from point to point in a media vehicle.

I was happy to see that Cloudcroft is only a few miles away -- 
for South Dakota, it's a few miles because we have people who 
actually drive 150 miles one way once every two weeks for 
groceries -- and plan to at least do a drive-through.

I'm looking forward to seeing the area as I imagine it to look
a little like the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Bill Cissell
Rapid City Journal

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Dear Newsletter:

I have visited Cloudcroft several times during the last two 
years and look forward to becoming a resident soon. During my 
visits, I spoke with many of the residents, merchants and 
visitors, and have been so impressed with their sincere interest
and expressions of friendship. I am frantically getting my 
present home ready for sale, and will be joining my nearby 
children and grandchildren in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, 
as soon as possible.

As a lifetime amateur astronomer, I can hardly wait to enjoy 
the clear dark skies of Cloudcroft, and plan to graduate to a 
much larger telescope soon after moving to your great city. 
Thank you for the very enjoyable newsletter. Your descriptions 
of village activities in the newsletter add to the excitement 
of my impending move. The newsletter gets resent to all of the 
family, and they enjoy it as well. They are already planning 
their visits next summer.

I also offer my gratitude that you survived the accident with
such minor injuries. Good luck, and keep the newsletters coming.

Ed Kitsch

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Aloha!

I would like to express my deepest appreciation for posting my
request in your newsletter; so far, so good! I've been receiving
e-mail from wonderful people who have been of immense help to 
me these past few weeks.

I will keep you folks up-to-date as the project starts to roll.

Once more, thank you so much for your help!

Sincerely Yours,
Lori Grant
Kokoro Grafix
Honolulu

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Dear Newsletter:

I'm so sad about Delta. You're right there is always one 
special dog in your life. I had one that died 3 years ago. We 
got another one and he's great - but just not like the other. 
You have my sympathy.

Cynthia Weeks
Big Spring, Texas

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Dear Newsletter:

Very sorry to hear about DELTA. We are in the same boat with our
Lhasa Apso, SNUFFY, who will be 14 this April. He has enjoyed 
Cloudcroft area all his life and is definitely our "One special 
dog".

Interesting poem--our youngest was 2 years old when he saw his 
first recognizable snow in C/C. We made him a small snowman; 
he placed it in his little red wagon, and cried when told he 
could not take it home to El Paso. 

Lots of fond memories up there.

Al & Maria 
Levison, El Paso

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