Corkscrew Swamp
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With shadows of the conferring naturalists in the background.
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Not my idea of a utopia, but Tom Monaghan, the founder of Domino's Pizza, thought that the U.S. needed a conservative Catholic town, a very conservative Catholic town, where you wouldn't even be able to buy a condom, and with a Catholic University that could equal Notre Dame's football program without its moral laxity. The result is the world's only "quasi-official oratory," and lots of empty building lots. I was particularly struck by the street signs on no streets.
The oratory is lovely, but there were some serious disputes with the local bishop when Monaghan wanted to choose the priest himself. Apparently the Catholic church doesn't work that way.
Of course, I thought the Moonies weren't going anywhere either.
More about the town and its problems here.
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Herman Moll, age 88, who spends most of his year here, but also has a place in North Carolina. He told us we should definitely take the short cut. Thanks, Herman!
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