WILTON — Talking to God and about God is just part of who Mona Linder is.

“The older I get, the more I realize how good God is,” said Linder, 91, of East Wilton.

Her faith and love of people guided her to open a business while she was in her late 60s.

Linder and her husband, Tom, moved to Maine from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1966. He worked for International Paper in Louisiana and Maine. The couple found a large home at Bean’s Corner in Jay to raise their four children and became charter members of Farmington Baptist Church.

After Tom retired, Mona attended a wedding in Texas, where a container of flavored popcorn was passed around.

Afterward, “God injected the thought in my mind that I should go into business,” she said. “I didn’t want to, but He did not let up on me. I thought about popcorn every day. God wanted me in business.”

Under that faith, Bean’s Corner Corn Co. was born.

Linder conducted research, contacted consultants and received shared recipes. Natural Maine ingredients — berries, lobster and clarified (pure) butter — were used to create a variety of flavors.  

On a trip to Camden with her son, Linder said they were drawn to Boothbay Harbor instead. A Realtor showed them a potential store space. Then, driving up Main Street, someone was just putting a sign up to lease a better space in the middle of town.

They signed the lease that day, she said.

Linder has since sold the business, but when she was operating it there was often a line out the door and on to the sidewalk, she said. People from around the world came back every year for a special treat and a warm welcome from Linder and staff. She still remembers them — even what kind of popcorn they like.

Opening the store was also a chance to share hope with others. A display of free audiotapes from Farmington Baptist Church became almost as popular as the popcorn. Some addressed issues affecting adults and others, for young people, including a tape about getting off drugs, she said.

About 2,000 tapes went out the door the first summer.

Linder started selling popcorn wholesale around the state. A kiosk was set up at the Bangor Mall and a store opened in Vermont.  

“If I had been 10 years younger, I would have gone national,” she said. “People all over the country wanted it.”

A tin of her popcorn lured Willie Nelson and other stars to perform at the Augusta Civic Center, she said. 

“There were lots of opportunities,” she said. “I thank God every day — all day — for He has been so good to me.”

She talks with God every day and asks others who are struggling if they have tried the same.

Linder said God has also spoken to her.

During her husband’s last days, she went to the hospital prepared to spend the night. At one point, when only the two of them were in the room, a voice clearly said, “I want you to go home and rest. I’m not taking him ’til Sunday.”

Tom died that Easter Sunday.

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