The first edition of The Blue Ridge Chronicle is published by John-Boy. He publishes a story about Ben and it makes his mother mad.

Mary Ellen, aspring nurse, makes a diagnosis about Grandma's illness which almost costs Grandma her life.

Jason gets news that his scholarship has been cancelled. Jason begins to hang out at the Dew Drop Inn. He is trying to interest Red Turner, a musician, into making a come back since his son's death.

John refuses to visit the tent meeting or get baptised, even with the presence of a famous evangelist.

John-Boy tries to keep the community updated about the news in Europe sohe decides to print excerpts about Hitler's Mein Kampf in his paper. A great outcry ensues and the town is torn apart over the issue of publishing unfavorable items in the Blue Ridge Chronicle.

A unknown person prowls through the night on Walton's Mountain. Godsey's Hall is open up by Ike Godsey & Jason decides to have a dance for the community

Mary Ellen surprises her parents saying that she and Dr. David Spencer are getting married. At the same time the family makes preparations, Dr. Curt Willard arrives and complicates matters.

Marry Ellen does not marry DR Spencer

John-Boy sells his Meadow to a mining company to meet payments on his printing press. Ike and Corabeth follow suit. What everybody doesn't know is that the company plans to strip mine which will ruin the land.

Jim-Bob fixes up Ike's old motorcyle & he enters a motorcyle race. The Godsey's want to adopt a baby but instead adopt a young girl named Aimee

Auntie Martha Corrine Walton comes to Walton's Mountain to visit and soon interupts everybody's life. She and Ben make an old fashioned pony cart and she comes to the realization that she is about to die.

The Waltons are emersed in a controversial election for sheriff and Grandpa fights to release a wild mustang that he says was caught on Walton property.

Corabeth gives Olivia a permanent that turns out badly. Grandma is up against a new competition for playing the church organ.

Elizabeth has nightmares of an unknown experience of being stuck on the very top of a ferris wheel. Ben starts to seriously worry about his height.

Erin's 1st love, Chad Marshall, comes back and asks Erin to be his wife. She agrees but John emphatically says no so Erin and Chad run off to elope.

John goes to Charlottesville and applies for an office job. He finds it impossible to work under the harsh direction of the office manager.

Erin's graduation from high school seems to be very painful because Erin has no firm plans for the future or any career.

John-Boy acts on a suggestion of Grandma's and oranizes a memorial to the Jefferson County Doughboys of WWI. Sheriff Ed Bridges , the decorated hero, shows little interest.

John-Boy goes to Lakehurst New Jersey to travel to cover the landing of Hindenburg and is deeply affected by its crash. Curt tries to figure out how to have more private time with Mary Ellen.

Jason falls in love with Vanessa, Curt's sister, who left her husband so she could become a singer. John-Boy begins to publish sections of his novel in the newspaper.

Grandpa says he going to bring Grandma home from the hosptal. When the Doctors say no, Grandpa causes a scene and is told not to come back. Aimee Godsey asks Zeb to be her Grandpa.

The Baldwin's niece, Hillary Von Kleist, comes for a visit from Vienna. Jason joins the National Guard over Olivia's objections.

A hot headed Ben has a falling out with John and Ben takes a job as a used car salesman . Ben seems a natural until the family questions some of his sales techniques.

John-Boy goes to New York City after waiting weeks without word on his novel. It pays off and John-Boy talks to an editor who agrees to publish his novel. John-Boy comes back home and tells them the good news. He also tells the family he is moving to New York City.