Osborne ? The owners of a restaurant destroyed by fire in May hope it will reopen in time for pheasant hunting in November thanks in part to the help of local residents.

Dozens of volunteers, including farmers, business owners and city councilmen, helped with the rebuilding of the Circle Inn Restaurant & Truck Stop over the long Labor Day weekend. One man who could not provide labor donated $100 to feed people.

“When you get a fire that destroys a guy’s business, everybody pitches in,” said John Girard, owner of the grocery store in this north-central Kansas town of about 1,600 people. “We’d kick in for anybody.”

Owners Brian and Angie Befort had pleaded for help in the local newspaper at the urging of Mayor George Eakin.

“Just to see that many people show up to help, when you’re on the receiving end, it’s kind of overwhelming,” said Brian Befort.

The May 13 fire closed the restaurant, putting 23 people out of work.

The Beforts hope to complete the new, larger Circle Inn by Nov. 1, in time for pheasant hunting season.

“By the time the first pheasant goes down,” Brian Befort said, “I hope that guy ate breakfast at our restaurant.”