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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #52
March 23, 2001
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Dear Subscriber:

We've been sending these newsletters out into cyberspace for a
year now and it is just plain shocking as to how many people
actually read it. While I question your taste, we appreciate
your readership.

It is traditional to reflect over the past year upon the
occurrence of an anniversary, so here goes.

We started the newsletter last spring and almost immediately
we were challenged by the coverage of the Scott Able Fire. If 
we had known how much dedication the proper coverage of that 
fire would take, I'm not at all certain we would have done it, 
but once we began posting regular news accounts of the fire, 
there was no turning back. We were immediately flooded by 
emails, both in appreciation of our coverage and inquiring 
about friends, relatives and properties in the fire area. For 
a week we worked day and night to keep you informed. Suddenly 
the Cloudcroft Online Newsletter was meeting a need we had not
anticipated.

Our newsletter readership has multiplied since then. While many
of our subscribers are from the Cloudcroft area, the vast
majority are from elsewhere. They either own property here or
just love visiting here when they can and want to stay abreast
of local happenings.

In an endless attempt to keep the newsletter credible we have
addressed issues and problems that reflect the wants, needs and
concerns of Americans.

For instance, should toilet paper be installed in the holder to
roll from the top or the bottom? By the slimmest of margins our
unofficial poll showed most of you were "from the top" oriented.
We certainly scooped the major networks on that one.

Then there was the Little Potty Tank controversy. We were
surprised at the emotion this topic generated among our readers.
Most were outraged at the government meddling manifested in the
form of smaller toilet tanks producing wimpy flushes.

You will be pleased to know that there is actually a movement
afoot to repeal the wimpy toilet laws on the federal level.
Un-doing a law in Washington is the legislative equivalent of
un-ringing a bell but we can always hope. If the wimpy toilet
law is indeed repealed I think you, the readers of the 
Cloudcroft Online Newsletter, can take a collective bow for 
your efforts to shed light on this most important national 
issue.

In the past year Cloudcroft has passed a bond for a new school,
has rebuilt a highway (NM 130), has built a new bank building,
and has remodeled many of the Burro Street boardwalk buildings.
This village is about the same size it was 50 years ago, but it
is by no means standing still.

My thanks to my partners on the newsletter project; my wife
Peggy and Cloudcroft.com's Webmaster, David Thomas. They have
been supportive and have kept me on-task in the past year...
repeatedly preventing me from making a fool of myself.

Thanks to Tipper, my border collie. She comes in the office
from time to time each week while I'm composing this piece and
licks my hand...just to let me know she cares.

Thanks to each of you, I feel like we're becoming a big family.

That doesn't mean you can borrow my chainsaw.

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. VILLAGE NEWS
3. INSIDE THE SHOP -- GYPSIE'S WAGON
4. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- ALAMEDA PARK ZOO
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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Higher temperatures this week and no new snowfall. Spring seems
to have sprung in the Sacramentos, but one can never be sure.
Highs near 60. Lows in the upper 20s/low 30s.
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VILLAGE NEWS
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The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit in
Albuquerque last week seeking federal endangered species status
for the checkerspot butterfly.

The butterfly is found almost exclusively in the Cloudcroft 
area.

Endangered species status for the butterfly could limit 
livestock grazing, housing development, road construction and 
maintenance, and pesticide spraying in the area.

"If the suit is successful, this will cause us great heartburn
and delay our land acquisition program and other projects," 
Mayor Dave Venable told the Albuquerque Journal.

There have been only limited studies of the butterfly so the
possibility exists that the insect has other habitats besides 
the Sacramento mountains, according to both Venable and village
administrator Mike Nevison.

[See last week's newsletter (#51) for several links on this 
topic. A link to our past issues is given at the bottom of this
newsletter.]
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- GYPSIE'S WAGON
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A shop for ladies not afraid to make a fashion statement.
Original design clothes and accessories...many one of a kind.

On the boardwalk in downtown Cloudcroft. See their listing on
Cloudcroft.com.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- ALAMEDA PARK ZOO
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Located on White Sands Blvd. in Alamogordo, the Alameda Park
Zoo is one of the most complete zoos to be found in the state.
Featuring waterfowl, exotic animals and animals native to the
area.

Open all year. Gift shop.
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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - There used to be horseback riding in the village of
Cloudcroft. Why was it discontinued?

A - Natives of the area say it was not uncommon to see horses
and riders up and down the main streets of the village in the
40s and 50s. Horseback riding in the village was halted after
a controversial ordinance was passed. Leaders cited public
health and cleanliness as the main reasons for the change.

There is still horseback riding outside the village on mountain
trails.
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COMING EVENTS
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March 24 -- Mayhill Family, Community and Education Club
Cultural Arts Show. Otero County Fairgrounds, Alamogordo.

April 14 -- Easter festivities. Easter egg hunt in Zenith Park.
10am. Easter bonnet contest and parade on Burro Avenue.

April 15 -- First Baptist Church Easter Sunrise Service. 7am.

April 15 -- Cloudcroft United Methodist Church Sunrise Service.

April 16 -- Rattlesnake show. Otero County Fairgrounds,
Alamogordo.

April 21 -- United Methodist Women TRASH AND TREASURE SALE.
Zenith Park. To contribute items to the sale or for more
information, call Susan (505) 687-3067.

April 21 -- Spuds and Duds Fashion Show. Alamogordo Women's
Club (in association with the Mayhill FCE Club).

Cloudcroft Art Society meets the second Thursday of each month
in the Old Red Brick School House. Call (505) 682-2494 for more
information.

If you have news of public events, 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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Howdy!

We just got back to our San Antonio farm and wanted to say how 
much we enjoyed the time in Cloudcroft. As always, the folks are
friendly, the weather was chilly and nice and a good time was 
had by all!

Until we return... thanks for the memories!
The McGuire's!

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Dear Newsletter:

I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much I enjoy 
your newsletter. It is always a joy to receive it and I look 
forward to, maybe this year, becoming a resident in your town. 

Keep up the good work, and the panoramic was fantastic.

Have a wonderful day.
Vernon R. McCoy

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Dear Newsletter:

I enjoyed the panoramic view from High Rolls. I didn't pull up 
the one from Burro street. Could you run it again?

Enjoy the newsletter!

Curtis Erwin
Midland, Tx

[See our General Information page for a link to this photo.]

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Dear Newsletter:

If your pet or you get sprayed, this is the formula for it.

1 quart of hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon dish washing liquid
Mix and bath pet or you.

I have captured six skunks under my workshop with my trap. I 
then take them a minimum 10 miles away from my home and release
them. I got my plans for the trap at the Department of Wildlife 
or Fish and Game. It's easy and safe. Just don't disturb the 
critter while taking him to the woods in the back of your pickup.

I live in Washington state but own property in the Sacramento 
Mountains near Weed, Mayhill. Haven't seen any there yet. 

I would like to come visit this year but am recovering from 
surgery. The summers are very beautiful here and nicer there in 
the winter. I get so tired of shoveling snow in the winter. At 
least 4 feet this year. Spring is on the way, rained yesterday. 
Six wild turkey are roaming our place this week. Maybe it is 
because we feed all the animals. Our doe and 2 fawns are here 
everyday to get a look to see if we left winter food for them.

We plan on selling this place soon, getting to old for this kind
of living in winter. Plan on coming down south later.

Thanks for the news,
Jack & Marian Patterson

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Dear Newsletter:

I live up in your area, out in the James Canyon area, and have 
been initiated to the skunk club also. 

However, I think I do have a little bit of a solution that works
to take most (never can you get all of of the smell out) of Pepe 
Le'Pew's smell out of you or your animal. A neighbor of mine 
also used it on her carpeting and chairs, since the inside of 
their home was sprayed as they opened their front door. I guess 
they missed the stomping of the feet, and that warning hiss, 
something that I and I'm sure anyone else who has had a run in 
with those little creatures has also missed. They are also not 
intimated by spotlights turned on, or anything else. I guess if
I smelled that bad, I wouldn't be scared of anything either.

Anyway this solution was given to me by Dr. Eason, our local 
vet up here, and upon trying it, it does help a lot.

2 bottles of hydrogen peroxide (16oz)
1/4 cup baking soda
2 tbsp. of liquid detergent (I use ivory, it's mild on the skin)

Sponge this mixture on with a rag. Scrub, and rinse.

Now remember the next time you get your animal wet the smell 
comes back until they dry again. It's better than nothing!!!

We tried tomato juice and I have a Weimarner and her skin just
broke out in hives, but this mixture is mild and seems to work.
I now take my dogs out on leads from sunset till sunrise. What 
a pain, but oh the smell is soooo worth it.

Good Luck, to all who ever face this problem...

Jean Norris
Cloudcroft, James Canyon area

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Aloha!

If you would like to view some of the artwork Kokoro Grafix has
done over the years, there is a gallery on this website:

http://communities.msn.com/KokoroOnLine

There isn't much on the CODE III project yet, but the site has
only been up for a few days.

Thank you again for your generosity in assisting me with CODE
III!

Sincerely,
Lori Grant
Kokoro Grafix
Honolulu

[New subscribers who aren't familiar with Lori's project can
read about it in our Newsletter #44.]

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