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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #53
March 30, 2001
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Dear Subscriber:

My faith in the intelligence of hummingbirds was shaken a bit
this week.

The greening of the mountain has begun, with shirt-sleeve
temperatures and fresh smelling air and two hummingbirds
sniffing our old red kerosene lantern hanging on the porch.

Peg ran to the cabinet and retrieved a feeder, mixed a sugar
and water cocktail and hung it out for the little guys. As I
watched them feed, I lectured them.

"You're too early" I said. "I know it looks like spring, but
I've been around these mountains a while and I know there
is always one more shot of winter after everyone has put away
their long-johns".

They didn't listen. They just kept lapping at the feeder and
flying figure-eights around the yard.

"Suit yourself" I said as I went back inside. I have to admit
it was good seeing them after a long winter.

They are the scouts...the hummingbirds that fly north in the
spring to see if the weather is suitable for the flock. I hope
they didn't email back to the rest that things were just fine 
in Cloudcroft, because it's snowing like a sonofagun right now
(Wednesday).

If I could find those two early birds, I'd tell them "I told 
you so". They're not around the snow-caked feeder today. 
Hopefully this last blast of cold and snow won't last long. It 
might be warm and pretty again tomorrow. No way of knowing for 
sure.

It takes a lot of courage to be the scouts. You have to go
where no bird has gone before since last fall. There's no
guarantee Old Man Winter won't chew you up and spit you out
just out of spite before he leaves the area.

I tried to warn them. Nobody ever listens to me.

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. SPECIAL FEATURE -- SCOTT ABLE FIRE FOLLOW UP PHOTOS
3. VILLAGE NEWS
4. INSIDE THE SHOP -- THE FLOWER CASITA
5. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- TRINITY SITE
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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SPECIAL FEATURE -- SCOTT ABLE FIRE FOLLOW UP PHOTOS
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P. J. Flowers visited the grounds of the Sacramento Methodist
Assembly, Sacramento, NM on March 17, 2001. She hadn't been 
there since the Scott Able Fire (May 11, 2000). She took a 
number of very interesting photos of what she saw, which you
can view here:

http://www.cloudcroft.com/followup.htm

Thank you, P. J., for letting us share these pictures with 
our readers.
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LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
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There was an electrical storm in the Sacramentos last night
(3-28). Since the ground is still moist there was little fire
danger, but instead of it producing rain, it brought with it a
very wet snow. It is snowing again today (3-29) in sharp
contrast to the warmer weather of the past week. March and
April are always unpredictable in Cloudcroft when it comes to
the weather.

Highs have been in the low 60s. Lows in the lower 30s.
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VILLAGE NEWS
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Most everyone in the Cloudcroft area uses propane to heat their
homes (along with wood-burning stoves and fireplaces).

The cost of propane has more than doubled in the past year.

Area propane distributors say the prices have been affected by
increased oil prices and the fact that propane production has
been cut back nationally.

Locals are hoping for more reasonable prices when it is time to
crank up the heaters again in the fall. As it stands now, it is
actually as cheap to run electric heaters.
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- THE FLOWER CASITA
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Cloudcroft's full-service flower shop, now in a new location
next door to Scotty's LPG.

Potted plants. Special arrangements. Flowers for all occasions.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- TRINITY SITE
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The location of the first explosion of an atom bomb (1945), the
Trinity Site is open twice a year for public visitation. The
next opening will be Saturday, April 7. Trinity Site is about
one hour drive from Cloudcroft and there is a caravan
organized from Alamogordo to the site for the twice-a-year
visitation. Call the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce for details.
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Q and A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - Can you please tell me what the local sales tax rate in
Cloudcroft is?

A - Sounds to me like someone is getting ready to do some pretty
serious shopping! According to the village office, Cloudcroft's
sales tax is .618725. About 6 cents on the dollar.
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COMING EVENTS
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April 1 -- Bataan Memorial Death March. White Sands Missile 
Range. For informaton call 505-678-3374.

April 4 -- Lenten Luncheon. Cloudcroft Methodist Church.
12am.

April 9 through 12 -- Easter revival. Cloudcroft Methodist
Church.

April 11 -- Lenten Luncheon. Cloudcroft Methodist Church.
12am.

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.

Senior Van from Timberon to Alamogordo leaves the Timberon
Lodge promptly at 8:30 every Tuesday morning.

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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Dear Newsletter:

Many thanks for your year of successful journalism, Cloudcroft 
style. It's great for absentees. This is our first winter away 
from Cloudcroft in several years and we are enjoying South Texas
in Scenic Hills. We're anxious to return and resume our 
caretaker status at the Depot flower bed at the trailhead of the
Trestle Trail and resume residence at Cloud Nine Townhouses.

Be on the lookout for the latest phone scam.... Do not dial 
809. It is out-of-country and will cost a bundle for using it.

Any news on the school construction? And future location of the
Athletic Complex? As a matter of curiosity, approximately how 
many subscribers do you have for The Newsletter?

Keep them coming.

Regards,
Dayton and Ann Blanchard 
[About 2400 and growing by 25-40 a week.]

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Dear Newsletter:

Have been reading your newsletter for over a year now. My 
boyfriend and I visited Cloudcroft in November, 2 years ago. 
Still have very fond memories of this beautiful place. Ones 
that will never be forgotten.

The real reason for this email, and it's changing the subject 
big-time, but:

Were you ever a DJ for a radio station in Lubbock, Texas? I'm 
originally from Lamesa, which is 60 miles south of Lubbock, and
my favorite country station there was 96.3, KLLL. A few years 
back, there was a DJ with your same exact name that worked for 
this radio station. Just curious.

Have a great weekend, and take care!
Traci Davidson

[Yes.]

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Dear Newsletter:

My family and I visited Cloudcroft for the first time this year 
during my 9-year old son's spring break. We were there from 
March 13th to March 18th and needless to say...we weren't ready 
to leave. We live in Maxwell, Texas which is near the San Marcos
and Austin area. 

The scenery in Cloudcroft was breath-taking, the food was great,
the people were very friendly and a good time was had by all of
us. We visited several nearby cities on day trips, but enjoyed 
our stay in Cloudcroft the most.

We went hiking through the beautiful mountains and were in awe 
of everything we saw. We went tubing at Ski Cloudcroft and had
a blast (my son went flying from his tube and got all scratched 
up, but he got back out there and tubed some more.) 

It did take us a while to get used to cooking in the high 
altitude, but we'll be more educated when we return this fall. 
We can't wait to see the changing of the colors on the leaves. 
And we will definitely be making this trip a yearly spring break
outing. 

Thanks for keeping us informed with this newsletter.
The Delgados

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Dear Newsletter:

I thank you for the newsletter. I have been wandering around the
world for 49 years and have dutifully done my job with the US 
Army for the last 25 years. Three years ago I bought property 
in El Paso and about 4 times a year we make it up to Cloudcroft. 

Last year was an extremely difficult year which called on me to
make many uncomfortable decisions. One of the greatest decisions
was about my career and why I have chosen what I do.

Well, I took a trip to Cloudcroft for the day with my wife and 
her parents. To make a long story short. As I stood on the high
ground overlooking the town, I was overwhelmed by its beauty. 

In a glance I knew why I had chosen my occupation. To keep 
places like your great city free. I retire this year and look 
forward to becoming your newest resident.

Sincerely,
J. E. Smith
SGM, USA 

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Dear Dad (well...you did say we were like family),

As I sit at my computer enjoying your newsletter, I can almost 
pretend I don't have a class full of psycho-hormonal 8th graders
all talking at the top of their lungs....Calgon take me away!!!

Your newsletter is one of the things I look forward to on Thurs.
afternoon...that and bus duty and grading papers. The newsletter
provides me with just the escape I need. I can close my eyes 
and see the snow coming down in Cloudcroft like it did the day
after Christmas.

Of course, if I keep them closed too long something off my desk
will come up missing. 

Congratulations on your one year anniversary!

Signed,
Touched in Texas
PS: Don't need the chainsaw...just keep the newsletters coming.

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Dear Newsletter:

I'll loan you one of my golf carts, if I can borrow your 
chainsaw? 

Your newsletter is great! 8 people read it here at the Golf 
Course, and look forward to it each week! Great and interesting.

We are dog lovers here too, but we question ANY hardships 
imposed by a butterfly??? Crazy!

Mike 
Rocky Meadows Golf Course 
Carlisle, PA

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Dear Newsletter:

I've been reading your delightful newsletter now for about 8 
months and enjoy it thoroughly.

I've not been inclined to write about any of the topics (just 
reading what other readers write in is great), but I have some
experience with the skunk issue. I've been working for a vet for
a little more than 6 years now, and the first 4 years I bathed 
a lot of dogs. Here in Central Texas we have a lot of skunks 
and a lot of curious dogs.

I've tried every recipe available to reduce the smell, including
the ones in today's newsletter. None of them really work and 
wetting the dog makes it worse. Honestly, it just has to wear 
off and unfortunately most dogs are sprayed in the face. Cats 
are either smarter or quicker because I've yet to have a cat 
come in that's been sprayed.

We've only had one client that had a skunk as a pet and I
wouldn't recommend it to anyone - they're meant to be wild.

Thanks for the weekly laughs and great info and pictures. I 
visit your beautiful mountain every August with the Gathering
of Circles and have been inspired to write about the magic 
there. 

Hope all is well since your accident. Keep Care.

Sincerely,
S. Young
Temple,TX 

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Dear Newsletter:

Hello, and a big thank you for your newsletter.

I am 4th generation from Mayhill, Alamogordo area. I live in 
Arizona and seem to never get home. I never thought I would miss
it so much. You live in such a beautiful place and don't realize
it until you move away. Thank you for bringing it home to me. I 
truly miss New Mexico. Keep up the good work.

Sincerely,
Sherry Thompson
Cave Creek, AZ

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Greetings

Happy Anniversary!

My wife and I started going to Cloudcroft when we were dating. 
We will celebrate 47 years this coming July 10. We still love 
Cloudcroft and continue to increase our visits there (we try 
once a month).

One of these days we hope to make it our permanent home. Michael
and Peaches Nivisson gave us notice that we will have to do that
very soon, or else.

Last year I had the opportunity to share a long week end at our
home there with two business associates. One from Tokyo, Japan
and the other one from Jakarta, Indonesia. After they visited 
Cloudcroft, they told me that every time they come to visit me
in Odessa, that I have to take them to Cloudcroft. They loved 
Cloudcroft and the people.

God Bless you and keep up the good work.
Ignacio & Elva Cisneros

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