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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE NEWSLETTER #163
May 23, 2003
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Dear Subscriber:

Peggy and I have 4 dogs.

Tipper, our Border Collie mix, thinks we just have 3 dogs,
based upon the fact that she is not a dog but a person and the
other 3 are just a source of embarrassment.

We got Tipper from the animal shelter about 5 years ago. The
attendant took us into the "adoptable adults" area and there
she was in the first cage.

While the rest of the dogs in the room were jumping up and down
and barking ("Pick me! Pick me!"), the little Border Collie
just sat there behind the chain link and stared at us ("I don't
know why I'm here. It's a case of mistaken identity. These
people think I'm a dog. Call my lawyer.")

Tipper's demeanor (or lack of it) impressed both of us. We paid
the fee and took her home. If she was grateful for her
liberation, she didn't show it. She stared out the window
during the entire hour's trip home from the pound. I couldn't
help but notice this dog didn't even pant.

We decided if she didn't work out as a dog, she would be a good
door stop.

Maybe she was suffering from a broken heart. The folks at the
animal shelter said she was brought in by her old owner with no
explanation for the abandonment. They said they thought Tipper
was about 2 years old. We could only imagine how she spent her
first 2 years.

Tipper (we named her that because of the little white patch on
the end of her tail and a subtle tweak toward our then Vice
President's wife) conformed to non-conformity. Her
unpredictability became predictable.

In the afternoons we pass out rawhide chew strips. Tipper
takes hers with an "oh, all right" swagger and retires with
it to the lounge chair. Truth is, Tipper could take or leave
chew strips, except for the fact they represent an instrument
of control for her over the other dogs.

The routine never varies. She lies there, chewy next to her
nose, watching the other dogs in all their despicable gluttony.
Straight away they finish. There is only one chewy left. The
one next to Tipper's nose. Let the games begin.

In no particular order the other 3 dogs get up, stretch, look
around the room, and pretend they're not easing their way
toward Tipper's chair.

Tipper's growl starts as a low gurgle, like a Gieger Counter
measuring the first vestiges of radioactivity. As another
dog draws nearer, Tipper's growl grows in volume, accentuated
at last by the showing of teeth and a "not in your lifetime"
look. Forget the fact that Tipper is by far the smallest of the
4 dogs. When she shows her teeth, everybody walks away.

I don't know why the other dogs bother. No one has ever, in the
history of the chew-strip keep-away series, ended up with
Tipper's rawhide.

Long after we had decided Tipper was a lost cause in the
congeniality department, it happened.

Tipper was in her usual spot on the chair, with that infamous
chewy next to her nose, watching the other guys dog wrestle
in front of the TV set.

I don't know what came over her. It was like a switch was
turned on. She came off the couch and jumped into the middle of
the match. The other 3 dogs and Peggy and I were temporarily
stunned. Little Miss Sour-puss was suddenly the center of
activity. The other dogs quickly recovered, coalesced, and
worked Tipper into their bark snap and growl game.

Everyone was so surprised nobody noticed the chewy left behind
on the chair.

Tipper's not the most congenial girl I ever met, but she's not
the dullard she used to be.

While I'm working at the computer, she'll come in and nudge my
arm for a scruff of her ears. Then she'll lightly lick my hand
and waddle off.

A very doggy thing to do. Maybe there's some hope for her.

Don Vanlandingham
Cloudcroft.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
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1. LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
2. SPECIAL -- SEASONSCAPE, PHOTO 10
2. VILLAGE NEWS
3. INSIDE THE SHOP -- LOG HOMES OF CLOUDCROFT
4. CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- NEW MEXICO SYMPHONY
5. Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
6. COMING EVENTS
8. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
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LOOKING AT THE WEATHER
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Warm days with a break on Tuesday when temperatures fell and
there was a trace of moisture.

Highs usually in the mid-70s. Lows, on average, in the low-40s.
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SPECIAL -- SEASONSCAPE, PHOTO 10
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The SeasonScape photo experiment by Kit Richards continues:

http://www.cloudcroft.com/photos/seasonscape.htm

Here's another photo by Kit Richards of some curious creatures
on the Davis Ranch, located between Sunspot and Cloudcroft.

http://www.cloudcroft.com/photos/davis.jpg

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VILLAGE NEWS
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Fire restrictions have been posted for both the village and the
Forest due to an increased fire danger.

Supervised camping areas have restricted fires to propane
stoves. Smoking only in buildings, vehicles or in specified
areas.

No access restrictions at this time.
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INSIDE THE SHOP -- LOG CABINS OF CLOUDCROFT
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Blending old time craftsmanship with state-of-the-art
technology, we provide a precut log wall system, kiln dried
logs, and thru-bolt construction. Modify our plans or we'll
design one for you. Lodge Logs. For details, call 505-687-3818
or 800-896-9936, fax 505-687-2649, or email
vaughtac@pvtnetworks.net.
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CLOUDCROFT ONLINE SPOTLIGHT -- NEW MEXICO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
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Sandia Casino Memorial Day Concert
Sunday, May 25, 2003 at 8:00 pm
Sandia Casino

Program

The NMSO performs a program of stirring patriotic music and
more! And, the evening ends with a fabulous fireworks display!

Performers
Michael Butterman, Conductor
New Mexico Symphony Orchestra

Chair seats are $12, $17, $24 and Children 8 and under are free.
Tickets available by calling or by visiting any Ticketmaster
outlet or the NMSO's Symphony Store. Call (505) 883-7800 to
charge by phone.
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Q AND A -- BECAUSE CLOUDCROFT ONLINE READERS WANT TO KNOW
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Q - When does the rainy season start in the Sacramentos?

A - July and August are normally the wettest summer months in
the Southern Rockies.
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COMING EVENTS
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May 23 -- Chimney Spring Camp and Retreat Center Night of
dinner and music 6:30pm. $40.00 per couple $25.00 per single.
Music by the Brother’s Legacy Quartet. Reservations required,
call (505)687-3520.

May 23 -- Star Talks. White Sands National Monument. 479-6124

May 24 -- Academy of Ballet. Flickenger Center. Alamogordo.

May 24-25 -- Mayfair.

May 23 through the 25th -- Melodrama. Open Air Pavilion.

May 24-25 -- Annual Art Society Miniature Art Show and Sale.
Red Brick School House, 11am - 4pm. (505) 682-3004.

May 30 -- Star Talks. White Sands National Monument. 479-6124

June 7 -- National Trails Day.

June 7 -- Miss New Mexico Day Parade.

June 7 -- Miss NM Golf Tourney at The Lodge. $40 per person or
$160 per team. You get golf, a cart, prizes, and lunch with
the 23 contestants all for just $40! For more information or
reservations, call (505 )682-2733 or (505) 682-2566.

June 13, 14 -- Melodrama. Open Air Pavilion

June 20, 21 -- Western Roundup

June 21, 22 -- High Rolls Cherry Festival.

June 27-29 -- Chimney Spring Bluegrass Festival. $5.00/Friday
only, $8.00/Saturday only, $12.00/weekend pass. 10 bands
scheduled, plus open stage time on Friday and Saturday.
Call (505) 687-3520 for more information.

July 4 -- Burro Avenue celebration.

July 4-6 -- Melodrama. Open Air Pavilion

July 5 -- Street Dance. Burro Street.

July 11, 12 -- Melodrama. Open Air Pavilion.

July 12, 13 -- July Jamboree.

July 12 -- Street Dance. Burro Street.

July 18, 19 -- Melodrama. Open Air Pavilion.

August 7-10 -- Gathering of Circles.

August 30, 31, Sept. 1 -- Labor Day Fiesta.

September 1 -- Lumber Jack Day.

September 19-21 -- Healing Hearts.

September 21 -- Governor Johnson's Run/Walk.

Cloudcroft Art Society meets the second Sunday of each month,
2-4pm, in the Old Red Brick School House. Call (505) 682-3004
for more information and details on the Cloudcroft Summer Art
Workshops.

Would you like to help deliver meals to the homebound around
Cloudcroft? Monday through Friday deliveries. Call the
Cloudcroft Senior Center at (505)-682-3022. For information on
other Senior Center services, see their web site, listed on the
Cloudcroft.com Links page.

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

Mountain Garden Club meets every third Monday of each month.
Call (505) 682-2910 for more information.

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

Free Vitals Clinic. Cloudcroft Senior Citizens Center, every
Wednesday. High Rolls Senior Citizens Center, first Thursday
of each month.

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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 love your newsletter.

My Grandmother's maiden name was Walker. She lived in the
hillcountry of Texas, but all of her father's relatives were
from the Cloudcroft Sixteen Springs area (she always referred
to it as Sixteen Springs Canyon).

I just read the newsletter and noted the info about the Walker
fire. I plan on coming to Cloudcroft the second week of July. I
have not been there since I was very young. Have not kept up
with the Walkers there, but plan to try and reconnect. Just
seeing that name gave me hope that some of the family are still
up there in the mountains. Can't wait to get there and see for
myself. The fire sounds really bad. 

Thank you for the great newsletter. Maybe we will connect with
you, while we are there.

Blessings to you and yours,
Caroline Gibson-Holler

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Dear Newsletter:

That was great coverage of the Walker fire, at least what was
available to you. The pictures were great of the crew camp and
equipment and of the thank you note from the area residents.

As I go along, I learn a little more about this PC, a lot of it
is thanks to you and your letter. Most times, on your pictures,
hit the F-11 key and it will broaden the view of those really
clear pictures.

I search out every one that you publish, and enjoy them very
much.

Thanks, keep-um coming,
Shelby Dugas

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Dear Newsletter:

Thursday is a special day - the newsletter appears on screen.

About teeth and dentists: In the military many years ago, we
were lectured on everything - one quote remembered - "If you
don't brush your teeth today, they'll prove false tomorrow."

Doug Courchene
Mt. Olive, NC

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Dear Newsletter:

Don, I've just had a molar extraction. The shot to numb was 
the worst part. I'm now pain free.

Best wishes,
Denise Coleman

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Dear Newsletter:

For some reason, I have failed to receive your wonderful letter
for quite a while. I always look forward to getting it, so
P L E A S E put me back on your list!

Could you give me the address of the newsletter? Thank you!

Martha Craig

[You can always sign-up for the newsletter on our Home page.]

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Dear Newsletter:

I'm very glad I found your newsletter, I enjoy it very much.

I'm a retired firefighter who lives in Desert Hot Springs, CA.
I also own a small cabin in Cloudcroft and spend the summers
there. I like golf somewhat, however, I love fishing. How about
a fishing report? Also, a more detailed weather report, such
as, monthly snowfall/rainfall, high and low temps.

Keep up the good work! 

Armas Hills 
Desert Hot Springs, CA
Cloudcroft, NM

[See the Weather section of our General Information page for 
average monthly precipitation and temperatures for Cloudcroft.]

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

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