Date: Thursdays, August 4, 11, & 18, 2022
Time: 2 - 4:30 PM (with a break)
Place: ISU, Chestnut Building Room 107
Cost: $15 (book not included)

This three-session course will feature the James Herriot book series All Creatures Great and Small, and the popular BBC and PBS television productions of the same name. Participants will read and discuss the first book of the series, and they will obtain a brief overview of some of the most unforgettable episodes from the other three books of the series. Videos will introduce participants to the famous Scottish Yorkshire Dales region where the shows were filmed, as well as a virtual tour of the television production set and the Herriot Museum. The life of the “real” James Herriot, Alf Wight, will be reviewed, and the cast of actors and actresses from the television productions will be discussed.

The son of Alf Wight will discuss aspects of his father’s life and his veterinary practice, answering questions as to how accurately the books and films reflect his father’s real life experiences. Participants who have long enjoyed the books and television shows, will be surprised to learn how much of “James Herriot” is fact and how much is fiction from the vivid imagination of Alf Wight. Participants will view clips from various shows as well as the full Season #1 Episode #4, which features “Trickie”, a favorite of many readers and viewers over the years.

The final session will feature a Zoom interview with Veterinarian Mike McGonigal and Sandi McGonigal as they discuss their career veterinary practice in Hillsdale County, Jonesville, Michigan. Their clinic performs some of the highest number of surgeries of any North American practice. OLLI participants will enjoy a tour through the clinic and meeting the staff all of whom have a special connection with the Herriot series - the McGonigal practice has the web address allcreaturesgreatandsmallhillsdale@gmail.com.