Lassie - Episode

Timmy and Boomer adopt a tree that was reputed to have been planted by Johnny Appleseed. But when they find out the tree will be cut down to make way for a projected roadway they stage a sit-in protest. Cute scene: when Timmy writes a letter to the current President of the United States (Eisenhower - in office 01/20/1953-1961).
Note: Boomer and Timmy's staged "sit-in" was largely a precursor to the civil unrest and protest decade that followed (1960's) when a more enlightened, better educated, less conformist generation clashed with the static and strongly entrenched conservative atmosphere that had become entrenched in the US populace in the aftermath of the physical horrors of WWII and during the strategic mind games of the Cold War. This episode served as a subtle nudge to that older '30'-50's generation of the time that personal values were an important part of every generation, especially the brewing non-conformist era which began with the 40's Beat Generation, grew into the 50's Beatniks generation, and continue to expand into the 60's Hip Generation ("the hippies") and exploded in the 70's with global demonstrations. One can almost see both young boys growing up to be part of the 60's movement for equality, understanding, and a voice for change in society. Neither boy finds it unusual to incorporate a modern protest method to protect a historic artifact while facing down an inevitable steamroller called "Progress". A nice episode to watch from the vantage point of a half a century later in the future.
Note: In Season 3, Ep. 36 I added some trivia about the legend (and truths) of "Johnny Appleseed", but if you don't feel like scrolling back through the episodes to find that trivia, here is is again slightly edited to match this episode:
**TRIVIA - .... According to author Michael Pollan, John ("Johnny Appleseed") Chapman only planted wild, sour apples good for cider, and was said to have refused to plant any grafted apple trees because of some type of religious objection..." [don't ask me why, just stating the facts] ".... Chapman also planted apple orchards as his business, not a scattering of trees along the way. Pollan states in the opening chapter of his book ' The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World': "...Really, what Johnny Appleseed was doing - and the reason he was welcome in every cabin in Ohio and Indiana - was he was bringing the gift of alcohol to the frontier. He was our American Dionysus." Hard [fermented] cider made a very potent alcoholic drink, much prized by the country folk as it was easier to make than corn whiskey, needed no still, left no incriminating evidence, and thus completely evaded the eye of the government "Revenuers"! .... No wonder Johnny Appleseed was so revered, and his name passed down in our American history so fondly. Who woulda thought! **