Character's Bio: Grase Bailey

Grace is Honey's unmarried sister-in-law who lives with her mother, May. She has grown up with low self-confidence due to her mother’s constant scrutiny. Eventually, Grace gets a job and moves out of her mother’s house to live with Toppy. Grace is involved with a series of men, though none of her relationships last. Eventually, after a whirlwind affair, Grace marries a man named Van. She eventually learns he is a con man who lied about everything except his feelings for her.

Actor's Bio: Kathryn Greenwood

In addition to her role as Grace Bailey, Kathryn Greenwood has extensive experience working in radio, film, television and theatre. She has appeared on This Hour Has 22 Minutes, The Kids in the Hall, Second City Live, and Hostage for a Day, where she starred alongside John Candy. Kathryn was also a regular on the hit TV show Whose Line is it Anyway? with Drew Carey. A winner of the Dora Mavor Moore Award, her dramatic credits include Street Legal, Queer as Folk and the Nora Ephron film, This is My Life.

Character's Bio: May Bailey

May is Honey's domineering mother-in-law who resents Honey for the death of her son, Jack. When Honey is forced to look for work, May takes in Honey’s two boys and uses this opportunity as a second chance to fix the mistakes she made with Jack. Though her decisions are harsh and manipulative, May truly believes she is doing what is best for the family. Eventually, May is diagnosed with a serious heart condition, but attempts to hide it. Soon her illness becomes apparent and she believes her family’s care is actually an attempt to steal the family mine. May remains at odds with Honey until, by chance, she is forced to deliver Honey’s son, Zach, and they eventually put aside their differences.

Actor's Bio: Shirley Douglas

A Canadian acting legend, Shirley Douglas made her Canadian television prime time series debut with her role as staunch matriarch May Bailey in Wind at My Back. No stranger to portraying strong, often sullen characters, Douglas’ stage credits include Big Momma in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Hagar in The Stone Angel. Daughter of Tommy Douglas - one of Canada’s greatest political leaders -and mother of actor Kiefer Sutherland, Shirley Douglas is one of Canada’s most celebrated talents. She received the Order of Canada in 2002 and was honoured with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Character's Bio: Del Sutton

Del Sutton is Max’s older brother who arrives in New Bedford in time to be Max’s best man at his wedding to Honey. Del is a railroad executive whose temporary decision to stay in town turns into a permanent one. When he loses his job, he decides to live a more carefree life and Honey’s children take to him. Grace helps Del get a job working as a mechanic for Ollie, and Del later helps Ollie woo Grace. However, after becoming colleagues with Grace at the radio station in town, the two soon begin to have feelings for each other. They admit their feelings, but ultimately know that they are not right for each other, and Del eventually leaves New Bedford.

Actor's Bio: Ron Lea

Ron Lea’s impressive list of film and television credits includes roles in such productions as Criminal Law, This is Wonderland, Bon Cop, Bad Cop and Saw IV. A student from the world-renowned National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal, he received a Gemini nomination for his work on the television series Street Legal in 1995. More recently, he appeared with Hollywood legend Barbara Hershey in the Kevin Sullivan film Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning.

Character's Bio: Bob Bailey

Bob Bailey is May’s eldest son and is responsible for running the mine. He and Toppy (his wife) end up having marital problems, and eventually get divorced. After the divorce, Bob leaves town and is rarely seen again. May is furious with him for abandoning the town, and often blames him for the troubles with the mine.

Actor's Bio: Dan Lett

An accomplished stage actor, Lett has performed in theatrical classics at many of Canada’s finest venues. His credits include The Cherry Orchard at Tarragon and Berkeley Square at the Shaw Festival. He has won three Gemini awards for his work on the CBC comedy show Made in Canada. Lett can also be seen in other Sullivan Entertainment films such as Under the Piano and the award-winning Butterbox Babies.

Character's Bio: Maisey McGinty

Maisey is the tomboy granddaughter of Leo - May’s husband’s old prospecting partner – who has returned to New Bedford so that Maisey is protected from big city life. Maisey and Leo don’t get along very well because Leo had a rocky relationship with her mother - a saloon singer who passed away. But Maisey quickly becomes friends with the Bailey boys and is involved in their many adventures around town. Always searching for the truth about her biological father, Maisey is confronted with the ups and downs of life with him when he returns to New Bedford after Leo passes away.

Actor's Bio: Dalene Irvine

Dalene Irvine made her television series debut when she appeared as Maisey McGinty in Wind at my Back in 1997. With a background as a soloist with the Theatre Orangeville Youth Singers, Irvine was also the voice of Felicity King in Kevin Sullivan’s animated feature Anne: Journey to Green Gables.

Character's Bio: Hubert ‘Hub’ Bailey

Hubert ‘Hub’ Bailey is Honey's eldest son. He is incredibly stubborn and often resists the control his grandmother tries to exercise over him. He soon gets into trouble in school because of a number of new stresses on his life, including losing his father, living apart from his mother and sister, and living with his grandmother. He eventually becomes interested in the mine and May begins training him to become the future owner. As he grows older, Hub becomes a much quieter and gentler young man, and eventually decides to become a priest.

Actor's Bio: Dylan Provencher

With a background in children’s theatre, Dylan Provencher made his television debut in 1996. He has since made guest appearances on popular shows such as Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Goosebumps. In 1999, the Montreal native received the Young Artist Award in recognition for his role in The Sweetest Gift. Dylan returned to the set of Wind at my Back in 2001 to deliver a moving performance in “A Wind at my Back Christmas.” Currently, Dylan is a real estate agent, alongside his brother, in Toronto.

Character's Bio: Henry ‘Fat’ Bailey

Fat is the younger brother of Hub Bailey and is the more mischievous of the two. When Fat meets a police officer, he decides that becoming an RCMP officer is no longer just a dream – it’s his goal. His family does not take him seriously, but Fat is determined to succeed.

Actor's Bio: Tyrone Saveage

Son of actors Janet-Laine Greene and Booth Savage, Tyrone Savage began his acting career at a young age, appearing on the popular series Goosebumps and The Dresden Files. He also narrated the television special Isaac Newton: Pebbles of Truth. In recent years, he played Edgar in the movie American Pie Presents: Beta House. Tyrone is now part of the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre in Stratford, Ontario.

Character's Bio: Max Sutton

Max is a school teacher in New Bedford who grows very fond of Honey. Eventually he and Honey are married, but he faces initial resistance from her children and from May. Through the seasons, Honey’s children - Hub in particular- begin to trust Max and rely on him for support. Max and Honey ultimately have two more children; a biological son and an adopted daughter.

Actor's Bio: James Carroll

James Carroll is a music and theatre graduate of La Salle University and Villanova University. He is an actor with an impressive resume, having roles in such theatre productions as Guys and Dolls, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Metal Blues and White Blood. He has also starred in numerous television shows and films, including Wonderfalls, Hidden Room, Street Legal, Scales of Justice and The Gathering. In 2008, James appeared alongside screen legend Shirley MacLaine in Kevin Sullivan’s Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning.

Character's Bio: Honey Sutton

Honey is married to Jack Bailey and they own a small town hardware store. It is soon forced into bankruptcy when the bank halts their loan at the start of the Great Depression. Soon after, Jack dies in an accident and Honey is forced to leave her two sons with May Bailey (Jack’s mother), while her young daughter, Violet, is sent to live with distant relatives. Eventually, Honey remarries to a man named Max Sutton and soon gives birth to their son, Zach. Quickly after his birth, Honey is diagnosed with Tuberculosis and leaves for a sanatorium to recover. When she returns months later, Honey finds her children grown and the town worried about how her illness might affect them. Eventually she is able to recover her local hair salon and tries to move on with her life.

Actor's Bio: Laura Bruneau

Cynthia Bellvieau: Renowned for her many appearances in dramatic television series, Belliveau’s credits include fiery reporter Terry Morgan on ENG and Sally Rand in Million Dollar Babies. In 1998, she was nominated for a Gemini award for her role as Honey Sutton in Wind at My Back. The Calgary native’s most recent credit was a starring role on the popular children’s series Caitlin’s Way, which aired on the Nickelodeon channel.

Laura Bruneau: Known for her role as Kitty on the popular series Material World, Bruneau joined the cast of Wind at My Back in 2000. Her television credits include guest starring roles in The Outer Limits, Matrix, Street Legal and The Beachcombers. The Vancouver native is also an accomplished stage performer, having appeared in productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Hot & Cold.

Character's Bio: Toppy Bailey

Toppy is married to Jack’s brother, Bob, and together they have a daughter named Doris. When Bob gets caught up in trying to save the mine from bankruptcy, he becomes irritable and Toppy eventually leaves him. They couple try to resolve their differences and save their marriage, but it ultimately ends in divorce.

Actor's Bio: Robin Craig

An accomplished stage, film, television and radio actor, Robin Craig’s resume includes three nominations for the Dora Mavor Moore Award, a nomination for an Academy Award for Life Times Nine and an ACTRA Award for her radio performance in Lies My Mother Told Me. She received the Gemini Award in 1998 for her role in Wind at My Back in the Best Supporting Actress category.

Robert Bockstael: Jim Flett

Natasha LaForce: Violet Bailey

Dougie Laforce: Zach Sutton

Kevin Sullivan: Executive Producer, Writer, Director

Kevin Sullivan is the President of Sullivan Entertainment Inc. which he and his partner, Trudy Grant, founded in 1979. Internationally recognized as one of the leading producers of high quality entertainment and renowned for his directorial ease with children and top performers, Mr. Sullivan has achieved myriad accolades and awards over the past two decades. His ability to consistently produce top-notch entertainment as well as to attract big name stars has enhanced the image of Sullivan Entertainment throughout the world.

Under Mr. Sullivan’s guidance Sullivan Entertainment has developed a distinctive brand of story-telling. Lavish productions that are emotionally compelling and entertaining have become the hallmark of the company Mr. Sullivan founded more than 20 years ago.

Trudy Grant: Co-Executive Producer

Trudy Grant is the President of Sullivan Entertainment International, which she founded in 1981. Through her leadership, the company has emerged as a major player in the world marketplace and particularly in the television arena.

Her involvement in distribution prompted her to form Sullivan Entertainment International to better administer the Sullivan product. The company’s penetration into many of the world’s less accessible markets makes it one of the few companies that can truly be considered international, having developed key relationships with buyers and financiers for various co-productions. One of Ms. Grant’s main achievements is the sale of the mini-series “Anne of Green Gables” to more than 120 countries around the globe.

Ms. Grant has evolved into the guiding light behind the company’s financial success. By strategically maximizing financial opportunities, Ms. Grant has built a very successful international business around the Sullivan brand.

Ken Jubenvill: Director

Ken Juvenvill was nominated for two Gemini Awards in 1989 for his work on the dramatic program, One Wolf, One Boy, One Summer. His other television credits include 21 episodes of Wind at my Back, Danger Bay, Lonesome Dove and most recently, The Force.

Ruth Secord: Costume Designer

“Having not done the other two Anne mini-series was my biggest challenge,” admits Costume Designer Ruth Secord. Sullivan Entertainment’s signature attention to detail and accuracy pushed Secord’s team into one of their most gratifying challenges. In just eight weeks, Secord and her team of cutters, tailors, and milliners researched, found and created authentic period costumes for 85 cast members and 3,000 background players. In a film that spanned Canada, the United States, France, Britain, and Germany, Secord was not only required to create civilian wardrobes but military uniforms indigenous to each of the five countries. Secord’s television credits include Sullivan productions of Under the Piano, Wind at My Back, Promise the Moon, Butterbox Babies, and Road to Avonlea. Her film work includes Blown Away, Oh, What a Night, Beautiful dreamers, and Johnny Mnemonic and the recent production of Disney’s The Miracle Worker.

Don Gillis: Composer

Don Gillis is a three-time Gemini Award nominee who has contributed his musical talents to several of Kevin Sullivan’s productions, including Wind at my Back, A Wind at my Back Christmas, Road to Avonlea and An Avonlea Christmas. He was nominated for a Gemini for his compositions for two Road to Avonlea seasons in 1994 and 1995, as well as for the TV series Danger Bay. In addition, Gillis was the musical director of episodes of The Jim Henson Hour and was the musical director of Fraggle Rock – also created by Jim Henson.

Raymond Lorenz: Art Director

Raymond Lorenz was born in Vancouver, B.C. where he graduated from the University of BC as an art teacher. Ray has designed many different television projects for Sullivan Entertainment, including three seasons of Wind at My Back (1999-2001), Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning (2008), Sleeping Dogs Lie (1998) and An Avonlea Christmas (1998). He was also production designer on Paul Haggis’ directorial feature Red Hot (1993), as well as the pilot and first season of Due South (1994-1995). Ray designed two seasons of Jeff Ltd. (2005) and the TV miniseries Canada/Russia ’72 in 2006.

Michael MacLennan: Writer

Michael MacLennan is a Gemini Award-nominated producer and writer who has been behind several television programs, including the Sullivan Productions Anne of Green Gables: The Animated Series, Super Rupert, eight episodes of Wind at my Back and Anne: Journey to Green Gables.

Fat is feeling grown up, yet no one is treating him like an adult. To prove his maturity, he gets into a gambling ring of older youth and quickly gets swindled - not only of some of his mother's pocket change, but his hat and new pair of shoes. Not able to tell his parents, he refuses help from Hub in getting his things back. But Fat ends up getting some unexpected and anonymous help. Honey is feeling alienated because some people are still treating her like a leper due to her of her past illness. She wants to reopen her hairdressing business, but Callie refuses to rent the old hairdressing space back to her. Max decides to employ a little psychology to get the Cramps to rent the space back to Honey. And Grace is feeling abandoned. It's been two months since she and Jim had their first tender kiss at the Valentine's Follies, but he has not approached her since. He later admits to her that he isn't ready to start dating yet as he still thinks about his deceased wife, Kathleen. Just at that moment, wealthy, suave and handsome Vanaver Mainwairing is passing through New Bedford, and upon his first sighting of Grace he mutters the word "perfect”. He confesses to Grace that it is love at first sight as he sweeps her off her feet. May is suspicious of Van's intentions, and is even more suspicious after she meets him. After five days of their initial meeting, Van asks Grace to marry him. She is somewhat cautious before she gives him her answer, which she gives regardless of her mother's feelings.

Hub receives a reward for a past good deed. As he enjoys the feeling of altering the life of a total stranger in a positive way, he continues to do good deeds. He helps out a stranded adolescent transient girl, Fiona McCaul. This good deed in turn results in another windfall for Hub. Although he isn’t doing it for "rewards", Hub ponders how he can continue to do good in his life. His mother has reopened her hairdressing salon, but business is non-existent due in part to her competition, Pearl Disher, undercutting her prices. The Suttons believe advertising will help matters. Max makes Fat wear a sandwich board advertisement, but Honey thinks the best advertising is a woman with a beautifully set head of hair. And a strain has come between May and Grace over Grace's letter stating that she is going to marry Van regardless of whether May gives her blessing. May, not wanting to be on bad terms with her only daughter, does eventually give her blessing. However, May is still wary of Van and she is not the only one in town. Pritchard is angry with Grace for abandoning him and Jim. And Jim is somber about Grace's news, but also suspicious about the mysterious stranger. Although May and Grace settle their differences about Grace getting married, they can't agree on anything about the wedding itself. Feeling like she's being treated like a little child by May, Grace decides to elope. Brought on in part by the stress of the situation, May has a few "spells" and ends up suffering a stroke while Grace is away at the Justice of the Peace's office.

Grace and Van return early to New Bedford after their honeymoon when they hear that May is ill. Grace is heartbroken to see that her mother had a stroke, is paralyzed on the left side of her body and can barely speak. The question now remains as to who will take care of May during her recovery period, especially since May needs around-the-clock supervision. Bob, the only surviving son, refuses to even come back to New Bedford unless his mother is on her deathbed. Honey, the martyr, wants to take primary responsibility as she feels she owes May, who paid for all her hospital bills. Max agrees that Honey should do her fair share, but also feels that she has a responsibility to take care of her own family. Grace feels responsible as May's daughter, but no one wants her to sacrifice herself in this early stage of her marriage, especially since she and Van were supposed to live in Toronto. Maisey wants to do her share because she wants to show everyone that she is responsible enough to take care of herself despite she being a minor. Maisey’s also concerned that if May is not well enough to take care of her, the authorities will send her away. The one person who feels trapped into taking care of May, is Toppy. She is now independent and has no one else to take care of. But she feels like life is closing in on her and that others will think her selfish if she refuses to take any responsibility. She decides to go see a psychiatrist to talk about her feelings. Because of these secretive trips, Archie thinks she's seeing another man. Finally, Max thinks it a good idea to convene all the players and map out a strategy for May's care. But May beats them all to the punch when she gets Hub to help her find a full-time live-in nurse.

When one female leaves town, two arrive. The departure is Grace, who has moved with Van to his summer house outside of Toronto. Jim is still grieving over his loss of Grace and vows to be more assertive in his life by seizing opportunities. The first arrival is Rebecca 'Becca' Graham, a precocious new girl in Fat and Pritchard's class. For both boys, it's love at first sight, and they battle for Rebecca's affections. As she is attracted in part to intelligence, Pritchard has the initial upper hand. However, Fat, who now wants to be called Henry in front of Rebecca, to seem more mature, vows to turn over a new leaf in his life by pursuing intellectual activities. He has a natural aptitude for chess, which Max fosters. After Henry and Pritchard have a physical altercation, Pritchard thinks the only manly way to settle their battle is a game of chess. The second new arrival is Juanita 'Nita' Bascombe - May's new private nurse. Nita's arrival is timely as Lorna MacFarlane, who is currently looking after May, shows her anger toward the Baileys because of the mine accident that blinded Eugene. Nita catches all of New Bedford by surprise as the town's first Negro resident. She is also progressive in her nursing, employing restorative physical therapy on May despite it not being on Dr. Barlow's written instructions. May is a difficult patient and she finds the therapy tiring. Maisey is initially suspect of Nita, a stranger in their house, but Nita eventually gets Maisey on her side. Although Dr. Barlow wants to replace Nita with a nurse who will follow his orders, May and Maisey follow Nita's instructions as May has a breakthrough.

Grace and Van arrive at Lakeview, Van's grand summer house on the shores of Lake Ontario. There, Grace meets for the first time a collection of servants and house guests: Paloma, the Spanish cook/housekeeper; Frederick, the mute chauffeur and butler; Nigel Moss, the proper English gentleman friend; and Enzo, an Italian operatic baritone. Enzo is only his stage name and persona to the outside world, as he is really Stewart McGregor - a Scottish Haligonian. One of Van's friends, Harry Turnbull, plays an elaborate practical joke on Van. If successful, it would have seen Van spend a couple of days in jail. Van discovers the ruse and he and his house guests think it would be great fun to play an equally elaborate joke back on Turnbull. The plan they ultimately devise is based around the fact that Grace bears a striking resemblance to exiled Spanish Princess Eboli. Nigel has a painting of the Princess, and even Grace thinks the resemblance is uncanny. Grace is to act the part of the Princess, despite the fact she does not know any Spanish, to a third party - Jane and Willie Easterbrook, who are friends and business acquaintances of Turnbull. The plan is to bilk the Easterbrooks out of a sizable amount of money, only temporarily. However, Van and Nigel plan to use some of the money to help Paloma's imprisoned brother get out of jail. Turnbull, based on a pledge, will have to pay the Easterbrooks back for their losses. Grace is a nervous but willing participant. Despite a few bumps in the road, they pull the prank off successfully and manage to get even more money from the Easterbrooks than they originally devised. But unbeknownst to Grace, her band of pranksters, including Van, are not exactly who and what they seem. But Van admits to Nigel that he wants to start a new life with his wife, with whom he is falling deeper in love.

The men in the Sutton household are facing problems with the respective women in their lives. Henry likes Rebecca and anonymously has been writing her romantic, poetic letters, which she loves. But when she mentions that she'd like to find out who her secret admirer is, Pritchard pipes up that the letters are from him. Fuming, Henry decides that he needs to get back at Pritchard, which he manages to do with a little help from Hub. In the natural evolution of Hub and Laura's relationship, she is waiting for him to give her his newly acquired athletics letter, but that is the farthest thing from his mind. Hub has been preoccupied about what he wants to do with his life, and he has not yet told anyone about his idea to join the priesthood. But with a little advice from Max, Hub decides what to do in respect to Laura during this stage of his life. And Max and Honey hit a bump in their relationship when one of Honey's doctors at the sanatorium, Dr. Thomas Asher - or "Tommy" as Honey refers to him - comes to New Bedford on extended business. Honey is excited to see her old friend, whom she credits for keeping her sane during her hospitalization. After Tommy comes to the Sutton house for dinner - a dinner with conversation dominated between Tommy and Honey - Max and Honey have an argument about Tommy's role in Honey's life, which she admits is not perfect with Max. She also admits that Tommy talks to her about things that Max never does. This argument threatens Max's surprise anniversary dinner with his wife. Tommy later admits to Honey that he does have feelings for her, which catches her by surprise. But with help from Toppy, Max and Honey come to a new understanding in their loving relationship. Meanwhile, Toppy hires Rebecca, the banker's daughter, to do her books at the store. Toppy needs the help, as she has been secretly writing a book in her spare time.

Jim is trying to loosen up his attitude on life, as well as his wardrobe. Toppy has finished her book and has sent it unsolicited to a publisher. Henry is looking for new chess challenges. And Callie wants to win and influence friends - at least that's what the title of the book she's reading infers. After meddling in one private conversation after another in an effort to make and influence friends, Callie does manage to have a meaningful discussion with Hub, who tells her that he is thinking about becoming a priest. Beyond Father Fitzroy at the local Catholic Church, Callie is the first person he's told. Another person who wants to influence people is Max. Mayor Johnson has passed away, and Archie asks Max if he would be interested in running for mayor. After thinking about it, Max agrees. But it looks as though he may not need his persuasive skills to win the election because there is no competition. However, after a political argument with Alden, Alden decides that he too will run for mayor. After their political debate, which showed Max to have more popular support, Alden feels Max's primary political strength is the backing of the town's strongest voice - May. In an effort to help her husband in the election, Callie takes advantage of her newfound friendship with Hub and tells May of Hub's life plans. May, the devout Presbyterian, confronts Hub, Honey and Max about Hub's plans. May ultimately decides to disinherit Hub. Her decision is not so much based on the fact that he doesn’t want to head the mine, but that he’s choosing to devote his life to Catholicism. Honey - who was born Catholic - and Max stand by their son, which makes May withdraw her support for Max's mayoral candidacy. Callie thinks she has got her wish, but ends up losing her newfound friend in the process. But Callie's end goal may not be achieved when May have a discussion about honesty, love and kindness.

Grace returns to New Bedford. She is suspicious of Juanita's method of rehabilitation for her mother. Grace feels that such work will give May false hope about recuperation. However, May's determination convinces Grace that Juanita may be right. Jim, with his new outlook on life, strikes up a friendship with Audrey Collins, the chess coach for nearby North Bridge. Jim is happily surprised that Audrey is as attracted to him as he is to her. Jack Miller makes a short stopover in New Bedford on his way to Halifax to catch a boat to Europe. He is running the marathon for the Canadian Olympic team at the upcoming games in Berlin. Hub strikes up a friendship with Jack, who confides to Hub that his real name is Jacob Milski and that he is Jewish. Hub doesn't understand why Jack is so secretive of his heritage, especially since Jack is proud to be Jewish. Despite the Nazi uprising in Germany, Jack is not afraid for his safety, but rather wants to prove to Hitler that Jews are not inferior to Aryans - namely his two German competitors. But Hub wonders how much Jack can prove, win or lose the race, if he doesn't declare his Jewish heritage. Henry is continuing his love affair with chess. He is still undefeated until he loses to a competitor from North Bridge. He is devastated but is determined to get better, and ultimately win the upcoming provincials at the beginning of the school year. He needs some coaching, but he is already better than everyone else in New Bedford, until...Eddie Jackson. Eddie initially feigns ignorance of chess but eventually admits to Maisey that he actually does know the game and knows it quite well. He learned the game in prison and winning was a matter of survival. Max is suspicious of Eddie’s claims until he beats Max, Pritchard, Jim and Henry in four concurrent games. But Eddie initially declines the offer to mentor Henry since chess is a reminder of a time in his life he'd rather forget. Henry's persistence does win him over. Eddie proves to be a tough teacher, and the distraction of Henry’s friends having fun in the summer sun makes Henry rebel against chess altogether. But a move by Jack, now known to Hitler and the world as Jacob, shows Henry that he needs to persevere if he wants to achieve his goals.

Toppy hears from her publisher that they have accepted her book for publication. Hub is away working at a logging camp at Alawanda for the summer. Jim is also looking for a summer job, and Grace urges Callie to offer him a position at the radio station as the news announcer. Jim is grateful for the job, but when he finds out Grace was the one who recommended him, he is angry. He feels her recommendation is his consolation prize for letting her go as his girlfriend. But he comes around to the fact that Grace did it purely as a friend helping a friend. The entire town of New Bedford is excited about the upcoming annual bass fishing tournament and picnic, sponsored by Silver Dome Mine and the bank. Combined, they are the biggest economic event of the year for New Bedford as it draws tourists to the area. On a more serious note, infantile paralysis is slowly spreading through the region, but public health officials are uncertain of the source of the infections. The closest case is in Pinebury, 30 miles away. The current heatwave does not help matters, as heat exacerbates the rate of infection. On advice from Dr. Barlow, Max, as Mayor, wants to issue a public health warning. He cautions against children being in large crowds or near bodies of water, which are the two causes of infection outbreaks. The merchants association in general is angry that Max would issue such a warning as the infection has not yet hit New Bedford and they know such a warning would negatively affect attendance at the tournament and picnic. Honey takes the warning to heart and orders both Henry and Violet to stay indoors until further notice. Henry disobeys orders, and with Violet and Zach in tow, goes outside for a brief period. When Juanita learns that affected children vacation at Bass Lake, and that Dr. Barlow is out of contact, she suggests in front of the merchants association that the tournament be canceled. Matters gets worse when Zach comes down with symptoms of the infection. In private, Max chastises Henry for putting 'his only son' at risk despite medical evidence stating that Zach could not have come down with symptoms so quickly after exposure. With help from May, Max and Honey quarantine Zach at the hospital in North Bridge. But in public, Max the Mayor needs to act. Without Dr. Barlow or any public health official to offer advice, Max decides to persuade May and Otto Graham, the bank manager, to cancel their respective events. Both are wary of doing so, especially without conclusive evidence from medical health. And the militant merchants association, the opposition led by Archie, Callie, Myrt Dumphry and Sam Wilamot, does whatever it can to keep both events going. Finally, both May and Otto issue their official cancellation/postponement of the events, and Jim, in his new capacity, manages to take the health warning to the masses. In the end, Zach ends up not being infected and Dr. Barlow, upon his return, applauds both Juanita and Max's actions despite the differences he has had with Juanita in the past.

The annual Bell Award ceremony is taking place in New Bedford this year. Toppy is the Mistress of Ceremonies and entertainment coordinator, but she is finding the task difficult because of a lack of apparent talent in the town. She has Rebecca doing a Shakespearean reading, and that's about all. Maisey, the daughter of a saloon singer, wants to audition, but Toppy is skeptical of Maisey's talent. Toppy does eventually allow Maisey to audition, but one setback after another prevents the audition from happening until it's too close to the actual event to hold auditions. Toppy just has to hope that Maisey's as good as she says she is. As the mayor's wife, Honey is supposed to present the Bell Award to the recipient. Honey, not a natural public speaker, wants to do a good job - until she finds out who this year's recipient of the award is. And Hub comes back from his month-long work stint at the lumber mill at Alawanda. Laura is angry with him because he did not write as he promised he would. Along with Hub is Travis Hampton, who worked and bunked with Hub at the lumber mill. On Hub's recommendation, Travis gets a temporary job at the Silver Dome Mine. Hub looks up to Travis, since Travis managed to get better conditions for the workers at the mill. However, when Travis starts to rally the workers against management at Silver Dome, he and Hub become on opposing sides as Hub is a shareholder of the mine. Travis leads the workers in what seems to be unreasonable demands, but the workers believe that Travis can get them what he states. There are some on the Board of Silver Dome, especially Lawrence Bridgeman, who want to take a firm stance against the workers. May, however, realizes that some of the workers' demands are valid. The Board approves some demands but not all. Travis convinces the workers to decline the offer and go on strike. Tensions rise when the standoff seems irresolvable without the use of police force and without the use of scab workers. Travis goes one step too far in Hub's mind when he goes after Laura, who accepts Travis' advances to get back at Hub. Finally, all is settled when May exposes Travis for who he really is..

Showdown in Durango, the latest adventures of Saturday serial character the Masked Rider, is showing at the local theater. Buck Howard, aka the Masked Rider, is in New Bedford promoting the latest installment. His promotional activities include a radio interview with Jim and a public appearance in character at the theater. Jim is excited as he, along with many of the kids of New Bedford, is a big fan of the serial. But he quickly loses his idolatry of Buck Howard when he sees that his idol is a boorish drunk. When Buck is found drunk just before his scheduled interview, Callie talks Jim into interviewing himself as both interviewer and the Masked Rider, since Jim has a talent for impersonations. The ruse works. When the scheduled public appearance at the theater is supposed to happen, Buck once again is found drunk. It's going to be a little more difficult for Jim to appear as the Masked Rider in person, but he manages to pull it off hidden behind the costume and mask. But Jim's second ruse may be compromised when Buck awakens from his drunken stupor and stumbles out to the theater. Rebecca, usually a fan of any movie, has other things on her mind. She increasingly needs to take care of her mother, who suffers from agoraphobia and is housebound. Rebecca is ashamed of her mother, but when Honey and Toppy find out about Mrs. Graham's situation, they offer Rebecca and her mother their support. Meanwhile, Grace and Van are passing through the area. Van is checking out investment opportunities at the Alawanda Lumber Mill, while Grace visits in New Bedford with family and friends. While Van is away, Grace receives a reply from Mr. and Mrs. Mainwairing to May's invitation, the response being that there must be an error since their son, Vanaver, died five years earlier. Confused, Grace thinks that Paloma can clear up the misunderstanding. As Grace telephones Lakeview, Xavier, not knowing that he is speaking to Grace, answers the phone stating that Lakeview is the Porter household. Further confused, Grace feels that she needs to go to Lakeview. There, she finds "Paloma" out of character. Paloma, as Mildred Quintero, confesses to Grace the entire truth: that Harry Turnbull does not exist, that the people she met at Lakeview, including Van, are a group of grifters, and that they really did swindle the Easterbrooks of all their money. But Mildred also tells Grace that Van wants to leave grifting as he really does love Grace and he wants to live a straight life with her. When Grace sees Van, she hasn't yet decided what to do.

It seems as if secrets are running rampant in New Bedford. Toppy has just received copies of her newly published book, but besides Honey and Grace, she does not want anyone to know that she is Lucinda Fairchild - the nom de plume she's used - until the book is well received. Grace discovers Van's secrets, which she confronts him about. Since Grace obviously knows the truth, he does not deny it. Toppy and Rebecca are the only ones to whom Grace has confided about Van's real identity and the possible end of her marriage. Grace definitely does not want anyone else to know, including May, who would probably decline in health if she were to find out. But Grace may not be able to keep this a secret in the town as she has kicked Van out of the house and the only place he can go is the New Bedford Hotel, which is owned and managed by the town gossip, Callie.. Despite Van's declaration of love for her, Grace convinces Van to leave New Bedford, saying that he will do so if he loves her. But a story from Rebecca about another one of her movie plots may make Grace change her mind. The latest health issue facing May is elevated blood pressure, brought on by the mine’s new competition. May wants to keep the news of the company's problems from its workers. With the company facing low and declining stock prices, it is not issued a loan from the bank. However, a surprise buy-up of stock from an unknown purchaser keeps the mine afloat for at least the time being. But the company still needs an influx of cash. Meanwhile, Jim continues his courtship of Audrey. Pritchard doesn't like her very much, but realizes that’s just because she is not Grace.

A chain letter is circulating around New Bedford. Some of the recipients are taking it seriously, some not so much. There are some serious decisions taking place in the Sutton household. Hub is still thinking about becoming a priest, and his parents want to make sure he knows what that entails - especially with regards to female romantic relationships. They want him to experience some of what life has to offer a young man before making a decision. Father Fitzroy is convinced Hub has the calling, and Laura is relieved that it is Hub's thoughts about his life rather than her that has caused him to be distant. Honey and Max each want to make major career changes but, realistically, only one can be achieved at this time. Max unilaterally makes the decision in favor of his wife's desire. Grace knows what she wants, and that is Van out of her life, despite the fact that she told him she wanted to work things out. Silver Dome Mine is still facing its financial crisis, but May, George and Grace think they have a plan to weather them through the rough financial times. Grace uses the mine's troubles as a front to give Van a taste of his own medicine. With a little help from Jim, Grace successfully carries out her scheme. However, Van knows more about what Grace is doing than he lets on. When Grace confesses to Van what she's done to him, Van in turn exposes the greed of those he has past swindled. Van still loves Grace, but doesn't like what he's done to her. As such, he decides to choose a new worthwhile life path without his love. But Van is not totally out of Grace's life. And when Grace finally tells her mother the truth about Van and her marriage, Grace does not receive the reaction she was expecting.