What happens
Ranger Bill is a radio drama about a forest guardian who faces harsh weather and wild animals in the woods. In this episode, The Self-Made Man, Dutch Vanderheif lives on a small ranch in the shady river valley with his daughter-in-law Julie and grandson Peter. Dutch is in his sixties and proud of having built his life alone. When John Sims asks him to contribute to an orphanage fundraiser, and Mac asks him to help with repairs at the church, he refuses both requests. Bill tries to persuade him to help his neighbours, while Dutch clings to his stubborn independence.
A small ranch in the shady river valley, with the nearby church and the orphanage.
Characters: Ranger Bill, Dutch Vanderheif, Julie, Peter, John Sims, Mac, Stumpy
Listen for: Dutch's firm refusals to help, and Bill's reasoning with him about the help that everyone receives.
Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.