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BUSINESS NEWSBITS

Talk of the Town Pub & Grub in Webster had a fire Saturday morning, and will be closed for six to eight weeks as a result. Owner Mike  “Nimzy” Niemszyk said the fire broke out in the kitchen when a compressor overheated and a stack of linens nearby caught fire. Nimzy told us the kitchen will have to be gutted, the walls and ceilings replaced, and new appliances installed. He had officially opened the Main Street restaurant, formerly Isabella's, just five days before on August 6, after months of renovation and redecoration.

Nimzy called it “just another setback.”

Soot from the fire has damaged the walls and many of the old photos, prints, posters, and Nimzy's collections of old telephones and other vintage memorabilia. Everything has to be removed from the building,  he said, and then the walls have to be repainted and the carpeting replaced. The work will start next Tuesday and will take six weeks or more to complete. Nimzy estimates the damage at $150,000.

Changes in Latitudes concert will benefit the Hubbard Emergency Room fundraising campaign. Indian Ranch has teamed up with Harrington Healthcare at Hubbard for a special promotion to benefit the Emergency Department Capital Campaign. The purchase of a $15 ticket for the concert will result in a $20 contribution to the Capital Campaign. Indian Ranch will contribute $10 from each ticket, which will be matched by an anonymous donor. Join the Jimmy Buffet tribute show and beach party on Sunday, September 2, at 2 p.m. For tickets, go to www.indianranch.com.

A giant metal rooster sculpture is on display for the summer outside of Booklovers' Gourmet (seen in photo) on 55 East Main Street in Webster courtesy of Sean Harrington, professional sculptor and art teacher at Bartlett High School. Not only is it an eye-catching piece of art, it also functions as a grill. It has definitely attracted attention on the road and walkers passing by who even snap a photo or two. Sean also has work on display at Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in West Boylston and you can see more on his website www.seanjharrington.com. Booklovers' Gourmet will offer a free beverage of choice to the first person who comes up with a catchy name for him. Just stop in with your suggestions during regular business hours.

Hometown Bank will offer a first-time home buyer seminar on September 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. In its Oxford Branch conference room. This free workshop will answer such questions as “Am I financially prepared” and “What are the steps for buying a home”?  The bank will also offer First- time Home Buyer Certification classes on September 17, 19 and 24, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. These classes will help you learn what to look for in your first home-buying team and receive the certification required by many first-time home buyer programs. Fee for this course is $45.Pre-register with Pam Moshier at 978-630-6791 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Both classes will be presented by the RCAP Solutions Housing Consumer Education Center.

The Oxford Lions Club is looking for vendors for its Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, September 22. To rent a booth, contact Joe or Connie Tagg at 508-987-5987.