Now, onto the sights of Monroe. The main part of town that hasn't been suburbanized is the town green. Like almost every town in New England, the town's center is a patch of land called the green, always presided over by a white Congregational church (the one poking out of Somchai's head). Across from the Congregational church is the Episcopal church, traditionally arch-enemies since the Congregationalists are descendants of the Pilgrims who fled England, and the Episcopalians are Anglicans who largely remained loyal to the mother country, even during the Revolution. A third old building, the Masonic Lodge, also sits on the green, and seems to be neutral in this theological war, since in the thirty years we've lived here I don't think we've ever seen anyone enter or exit the building, and I have no idea what goes on there.



Mom used to be on the Monroe Historical Commission, which had to approve any construction or renovation in the historical district. I believe it was through Mom's hard work that when Walmart decided to tear down the green and smother the whole area in a giant Walmart, they were forced to call it Ye Olde Walmart in keeping with the colonial character of the town center. (the last sentence isn't true, Mom did a very nice job of keeping the historical center intact, helped by the fact that nobody ever wanted to develop anything here.)