A drifter befriended by Ben and Lazarus turns out to be Professor Winesinger, an old acquaintance of Jake's, who got him out of some serious trouble when Jake was young.

The whole town is concerned about the health of Daddy Johnson, a wealthy 107-year-old who has fallen seriously ill, but Jake in particular believes that Daddy's ""nurse"" Esther Goodrich is really a gold digger after his money.

When orphans Ben and Lazarus feel left out of Saskatchewan's annual father-and-son fishing contest, Jakes and Moses invent a contest of their own. Meanwhile, Molly has a ""girls-only"" slumber party with Julia, but ill-advisedly leaves Gate to mind the store.

A famous hypnotist and his pretty assistant proceed to charm the town, while two mysterious businessmen from Winnipeg show an excessive interest in an old safe of Albert's.

As Crocus prepares for its major annual social event, the Snow Ball, speculation abounds regarding who will escort the town's most eligible woman, Emily Henchbaw.

When a blizzard hits Crocus, the Sanitary Cafe is transformed into a temporary hospital and Jake tries to rescue Albert, who has had a heart attack.