Shortly after moving back to Iowa George learns that a stately tree, planted by his ancestors, is to be removed. George leads the fight to save the landmark and have the motel built elsewhere.
The Apples discover a menagerie of animals in a roadside zoo kept in abysmal conditions. Cathy is particularly upset and George impulsively decides to take the wild creatures home. But the family soon learns how unworkable that is.
The Apples intend to hire a housekeeper but due to a mixup hire George's former French teacher instead. Mrs. Perry shows up expecting to teach the family a foreign language but imparts a more valuable instead.
When a longtime employee is passed over for a promotion Barbara think the woman has been discriminated against. She decides to protest. George tries his hand at selling perfume.
Patricia finds out her pen pal in Greece is handicapped. After sharing the details with her family her father George organizes an fundraising effort for an operation that will help the young girl recover.
George is on a crusade to have an traffic signal installed at a dangerous intersection. The matter becomes personalized when one of the Apple sons is seriously injured at the site.
Steven is excited about his 4-H project which involves taking care of a young sheep. But when it's time to sell the animal Steven is distraught and George must help him through the realities of farm life.