To the editor:
The lights dimmed in the town of Linneus this week with the passing of Kenny Bither. Known as “The Mayor,” Kenny was much loved by all who knew him. Whether driving a delivery truck for Coles, running a snow groomer for the Linneus Snowmobile Club, feeding hotdogs to Little League boys or teasing customers at Grammy’s restaurant, his warm smile and infectious laughter made him a legend.
Kenny was one of the first people we met when we moved to Linneus in 1974 and we felt like we’d known him forever. He was interested in his neighbors of all ages and the children loved him. In a conversation several years after we moved to Maine I mentioned being an “outsider.” Kenny stopped me immediately to protest we were not outsiders. When I said we loved Maine but we knew we were not from here he posed the question, “Tell me this … do we treat you like outsiders?” I told him that the town of Linneus had always treated us like family and he responded “That’s because that’s how we feel.”
Thank you, Kenny, for making newcomers to your town feel wanted. Thank you for years of caring about all the people in your town. You were truly the Ambassador for the town of Linneus. And you will be sorely missed.
Sandi Brennan
Linneus
