STEM at the Park; The Campaign Trail; Mountain Monthly Debut; Food Assistance; Fall Photos, and More
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Cloudcroft Schools Celebrates STEM Lab Partnership at Zenith Park
Yesterday, Zenith park was full of life, color, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathmatics—also known as STEM—as Exxon Mobil opens a new STEM lab at Cloudcroft schools.
Students gathered around the Exxon Mobil hot air balloon and hollered as flames burst upward. DJ Nate Saffle, decked out in a white lab coat, filled the park with beats for an early morning celebration.
Joseph Cueto, one of Cloudcroft’s own, now works for Exxon Mobil in Carlsbad as the community relations manager and was integral to bringing the lab to Cloudcroft.
The lab has robotics, 3D printers, and a curriculum in partnership with the Cal Ripken Sr. organization and Exxon Mobil.
Go, Bears!
Note: Slash Pit Closed for Season
The Otero County Slash Pit off Highway 244 is closed for the season, and anticipates changes for next year. Bill, Jeremy, and Cody signed off the Cloudcroft Community Facebook Page, and promised to deliver metrics on how much slash was burned at the pit this year.
On the Campaign Trail: Meet-and-Greet
The mayor's race heats up as Wiley and King enter the last week before the election.
Thursday night, Dusty Wiley hosts a meet-and-greet at 5:00 p.m. at Gary Mack Real Estate. An hour later, Mayor King hosts a public event at The Highland.
We’re gathering notes from the campaign trail—see you there.
Debut: Mountain Monthly’s First Issue Under New Ownership
The print publication now serves as a visitor’s guide and plans to expand inclusion of community voices. See the first effort—now free—on newsstands in and around the village.
Your Wednesday Review continues after this brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Blushing Yucca Esthetics:
SNAP Benefits Set to End Saturday: Local Food Assistance
SNAP benefits (food stamps) are scheduled to end for millions of Americans starting November 1, 2025, unless Congress provides additional funding. Without a legislative fix, recipients will not receive November benefits and food assistance will lapse nationally, impacting approximately 40 million people.
Here are a few local food assistance options.
Road Runner Food Bank
Head to rrfb.org for dates and locations. Mobile food bank: Sacramento Mountain Senior Center, High Rolls.
Mountain of the Lord Faith Fellowship Food Pantry
From Pastor Andy Olsen on the pantry, located by Wimsatt Area off Highway 82: “The Lord’s Pantry is a non-perishable food pantry that is open 24/7 to help those in need. You don’t have to deal with anyone, just come and be blessed. If you’re able, bring some food, but never hesitate to take what you need.”
Summit Christian Faith Fellowship
Food pantry available. Located on the western end of Burro Avenue, or find them on Facebook.
Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce/Mayhill Baptist Church
The spirit of Thanksgiving arrives early this year through a partnership between the Cloudcroft Chamber and Mayhill Baptist Church, kicking off a holiday outreach drive on October 26th. Locals are invited to fill donation bags with Thanksgiving favorites—canned, dry goods, and pantry staples listed on a bag you can pick up at the Chamber—and return them by November 16th, helping ensure every family can enjoy a festive meal.
Fall in Cloudcroft: Photo Essay
Cloudcroft’s fall weekend brought crowds downtown for the costume parade, the annual Pumpkin Roll, and lively Fall Festivals at the school and at Summit Christian Fellowship.
Local Voter Guide
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th, in Cloudcroft at the High School gym. Find more voting locations here.
The GO Bond will be on the ballot, benefiting Cloudcroft Schools and not raising tax rates.
Also on the docket, exactly as written:
Timothy Edward King and Gerald Dustin Wileycompete for Mayor;
Gail K McCoy, Keith Byron Hamilton, and Erwin D Hardwick will fill three of the four open seats for Trustee;
Mark Toliver Tatum seeks reelection as Municipal Judge; and,
Lance Howard Wright, Rebecca Michele Anthony, and Bruce W Odom compete for two open School Board seats.
Catch our election coverage and candidate reels:
Check out the Reader’s 2025 Elections videos on YouTube:
Stay tuned—we’ll post more videos as the election race progresses.
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