The Rutherford family didn't move into Old Town until after incorporation, but they bought a property in the older neighborhood, giving them a bit of status above the other newcomers.

Lance Rutherford, who heads the family, worked hard to get where he is in the world today.  However, much of his success is owed to his wife, Nancy, who supported his dream to become a Rock Star.  He had the talent and the skill to achieve his dream, but it would have been impossible if Nancy hadn't been there to bring in a steadier paycheck while he worked on getting ahead in the music industry.

Actually, it would have been impossible if his younger brother Jeremiah and his wife Collette hadn't moved in shortly thereafter to help out with the income and take care of his and Nancy's son.  But because they were there, Nancy was able to add her talents and skills to her husband's.  Together they found greater success as a Rock Star duo than Lance was achieving as a solo act.

Jeremiah and Collette are raising two children--their own daughter Roseanna and his brother's son, Clay--while they find fulfillment in their own occupations as Veterinarians.  As the only two vets in town, Jeremiah and Collette find themselves taking care of not just the pet dogs and cats, but also the strays, the animals at the Pet Adoption Center, and all the birds, fish, lizards, turtles, and everything else scattered around town, and even the exotic fish in the tanks at Studio Town.

The two kids, despite their parents' high profile jobs and the famous people who call on them for help with pets, are well-grounded.  They could care less about the rock stars and big names in fashion who sometimes call on their parents.  Besides, they're more amazed by their aunt, Natalie Smith, who has seen and done more (and is a better cook) as a Celebrity Chef and an Exorcist.

Recently Lance and Jeremiah's father, Samuel, moved in with them, bringing along his grandson--their nephew--Hayden.  Samuel's wife, his other daughter (Lance, Jeremiah, and Natalie's baby sister) and son-in-law had died in a car accident.  Incidentally, this was the same accident that claimed the life of Crystal Talbot's husband (which he had actually caused because he was drunk) and made her into a widow.  Samuel has taken over the cooking duties from his sons, getting up early in the morning to prepare breakfast for first Jeremiah and Collette (who leave at 7:00 A.M.), then for the three kids and himself.  Then, after doing those dishes, he prepares a late breakfast or early lunch for Lance and Nancy, who sleep in late because they get in so early in the morning.  Then he may make a phone call or two to meet with friends, but then prepares dinner shortly after four--usually right after Lance and Nancy leave for work.  After dinner it's time for a bath and bed--all by about 6:00 or 7:00 P.M. because he gets up so early.

The three grandkids love their grandfather, even if they spemd so little time with him each day.  Hayden misses his parents, but with the entire family working to include him and make him feel loved, the pain is gradually lessening.