The Ingalls, Garveys, Olsens, and Albert go back to Walnut Grove to find it run down and in shabby condition. Lars Hansen, who founded Walnut Grove over 50 years prior, has suffered a stroke, and is much like the town – on his last leg. The Ingalls and the Garveys go to the farms around town to let everyone know of their plans to restore the town to its former glory.

When Harriet Oleson's cousin, Sterling Murdock, comes to town, he brings his newspaper business with him. Everyone is initially excited about this, but trouble ensues when Murdock gives gossipmonger Harriet her own column – and allows her the freedom to write whatever she wants.

Michael Landon's daughter, Leslie, has an uncredited role in this episode. She is sitting behind and to the left of Doc Baker in the final scene in the church. She has several speaking roles throughout the series, but this time, she's an extra.