MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR
Sam and Twiggy Thompson purchased their lot at 603 Calle de Luna in 1996 and built the pretty blue and white home we see today. Built by Salvador Flores and his crew of workers, it is constructed with totally local Mexican materials. Twiggy owned her own manicurist shop before a serious accident last December. In her second year of business she entered a manicurist competition and won first place awards in both artistic and in technical ability. She has since gone on to create her own successful jewelry line. She sells to other artists and displays to the public in a Laramie boutique as well as on her web site. Here at Ocotillo, neighbors one day observed Twiggy sitting in a chair in her front/back yard next to the trash barrel. Was she depressed? Lost? Suicidal? No, just having an artistic moment. She painted that trash can and began a transformation for the whole campo. Out went everyone around, each decorating their barrel as they chose. We did so well that people were bringing out of state company here for a drive just to see Ocotillo trash cans. Thank you Twiggy. We all had fun. Sam is a graduate Civil Engineer from the University of Wyoming. He owned his own surveying company for five years, employed at the same time, as street superintendent for the City of Laramie. As a Resident Member of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers he operated his own appraisal business for thirty years, at one time working three jobs at the same time. He eventually sold his Real Estate business, formed the Dos Lobos Limited Liability Corporation and purchased a bar called Coppers Corner. Ready for a rest, Sam has listed his bar for sale and he and Twiggy will be moving here permanently. Future plans include building a four-car garage with guest quarters and hot tub on their neighboring lot to the east.

WHO NEEDS HAOCO?
The long, hard goal of electricity for Ocotillo is behind us. The issue of water lines has proven too expensive for consideration. So do we really need meetings? Many of us would like to keep them rolling so we can discuss future issues as a community. Newcomers seem to appreciate the instant camaraderie our group meetings inspire. And perhaps they encourage neighboring among all our residents. It was suggested at the November meeting that we continue to meet (second Saturday of the month at 2 p.m.) simply to exchange hugs and handshakes and a little conversation. But HOACO itself (Homeowners Association of Campo Ocotillos), will of course continue as a legal entity as long as we have outstanding loans on the books. This fact alone seems reason enough to continue the meetings, if only to receive a treasury report. If enough people agree we'll make these meets potluck.

WANTED: Comments, suggestions, submissions, and your vote. Drop it off at the Trathen Ranch or Cecotti Castle. Below, please respond, yes, no or maybe. Thanks. Should HOACO meetings continue? Do we want those meetings to be potlucks? Want a water truck? Do you like the newsletter?

OPINION: GONE TO THE DOGS by Sam Miller
We have a problem! Not a large one, but nonetheless one that is irritating and very possibly dangerous. In particular, I am addressing the problem of unattended, roaming, untrained, unloved dogs. In my opinion, if you own a dog it is your responsibility to totally care for the animal. This not only means feeding and watering the animal, but making certain he is safe and not left unattended. The camp dogs are well-trained and only roam the camp when their owner and his workers are present, and generally just follow them around. They are a credit to our community in the fact they kill snakes, and keep unwanted visitors out, including coyotes and humans. They are not part of the problem.

The problem is the dogs that have not been trained to respect other people or property and to stay home where they belong, protecting their owner and property. We are watching the untrained, unloved dog starting to "pack up" much like the "gangs of minors" in the states. They are led to stray and become aggressive and unresponsive. In my opinion there is an answer to the problem. If the animal is too hardheaded, too stupid, or just plain inbred, it is probably due to the fact they are the same as their owner, hard headed, stupid or inbred. Which means, to me, I need to assist that owner in training the dog. I will, not happily, do that. Not happily, I say, because I also love dogs, but they do need to be trained. In general, most people, who own the dogs that are causing the problem, will not appreciate my methods of training, so please, please, please, train your dog to get along with others in the camp. Show your dog the love they deserve and care for them properly.

ITEMS TO SELL, BARTER OR GIFT?
Hank Thompson has a stack washer and dryer. Beverly Stilwell has 30 pallets for $2 each, says they would make a great fence. She will take an offer on a good bit of left over electrical wire. Find her at 606 Calle de la Luna. Anyone interested in a coffee klatch ?Bible Study once or twice a month? If so see Raynee at 605 Calle de la Luna.

WANNA BUY A TRUCK?
Our night watchman, Jesus, wants to buy a water truck. Correction. He wants Ocotillo residents to share the purchase. He anticipates a cost of $5,000 and can make a $1000 payment on his own. For the balance, he needs some help. Salvador explains the set-up as follows. Once purchased, the truck would belong to Jesus and he could provide water for all of us at Ocotillo and possibly to nearby communities as well. He might deliver every other load for free, to those who had put up money for the truck until their advance had been paid back. Although we would not be obligated to buy from Jesus, we would have the comfort of same day delivery, and we could buy a half a truck-load if we wished. Jesus would be responsible for maintenance. Salvador tells us his personal plans are to eventually put in a cistern and buy a water pump, at his own expense.

IF YOU FEED IT, IT'S YOURS!
That's the majority opinion when the subject of camp dogs comes up. Folks feel badly about the condition and the number of homeless animals here. Several have paid to have individual ones spayed or neutered, and we've paid for medical care a time or two. We've tried to find homes for them both here and stateside. We've offered a scrap of affection, and we've buried more than one that was unable to survive the neglect they face. Maybe our good heartedness is responsible for the problem we are now experiencing. There are five or six dogs here currently roaming and a few show signs of meanness toward both animals and people. They invade private yards, they bark at night, they harass other people's pets. All are semi-owned, meaning someone is feeding them. Like bored teenagers, they have too much undisciplined time and a tendency to use it for trouble. Hopefully addressing this issue now will encourage owner responsibility. If you have chosen to help a stray will you please, keep it healthy. Keep it friendly. Keep it contained by fence, leash or training. And please, when you leave camp, don't leave a confused critter behind with no help or home.

DID YOU KNOW?
Wendall Cutting, Vice President of Rescue Task Force, a global 9-11 Volunteer International Relief Agency, is part of our family here in Campo Ocotillo. Rescue Task Force has delivered over 8 million dollars worth of donated medical supplies, food, clothing, household necessities and disaster relief materials to hurting peoples of Central America, to the mountains of Kasovo, to the slums of Thailand, to the interior of Afganistan, and to people in our own country in need of aid. This non-profit corporation was founded in 1988 to provide volunteer medical teams with medical supplies and humanitarian aid to remote, isolated regions of the globe. They've delivered over 50 medical teams to Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. For example, U.S. Army Special Forces asked for their help in rebuilding a hospital that had been destroyed in Iraq. RTF was expecting a 40-foot ocean freight container of donated medical supplies worth $260,000 at the seaport any day. Praise God, RTF was at the right place, at the right time, with the right supplies. To view a Trip Report with pictures check out the web site at www.rescuetaskforce.org. In the United States, after the San Diego fires, the RTF delivered over 10 tons of relief supplies to families in the area needing short-term assistance. At this writing there is a team of medical volunteers deep in the jungles of Honduras, saving lives and bringing hope to their Miskito Indian friends. When Wendell Cutting is here in Campo Ocotillos, he can be found at 532 Calle de Mar.

WORLD CHAMPION NEIGHBORS
Sam Miller and three gaming partners took first place in the International Team Dart World Championships. The competition was held at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas. "Over 4,000 dart players from around the world competing in various categories can be overwhelming", Sam reports. This is the first time the four from Laramie played together as a team. Tom Annis, one of Sam's team members, just recently purchased Pastor Mike's lot here in Ocotillo. Congratulations are hereby extended to both, for a game well played.

WHAT'S A BIMBO?
Bimbo is the largest Baked-goods Company in North American and one of the top bakers in the world. The company produces bread, cookies, tortillas, fruit preserves, snack foods and candies. Grupo Bimbo operates 80 plants in 14 countries throughout the Americas and Europe. Based in Texas, the company was founded in 1945. They began exporting products to the United States in the 1970's and today operate 17 plants in California, Texas and Ohio. Growing internationally, Bimbo today employs more than 60,000 people with annual sales of $3 billion.

OCOTILLO NEWS STAFF VOLUNTEERS
Lorraine Trathen, Twiggy Thompson, Beverly Stilwell, Loralie Cecotti

Ever notice how gossip gallops through a campo? And how gossipers relish the bad news and rarely honor the good? Like it or not folks, we have our share. That fact explains in part, the name chosen for this newsletter. Cronista can translate to mean family news. Cronista can translate to mean light gossip. Ocotillo, we hope, is forming family ties. However you view it, let's hope Ocotillo gossip will be harmless and kind. In this newsletter also, let us hope we can concentrate on the good.