I have been going through my email archives and I uncovered this email from Dr. Michael Newton, from 10 years ago(!), who will be making another appearance at Slighe nan Gaidheal’s Feis Seattle this year. I find it rather amusing! Imagine if we had been able to do this.

25 June, 2004 (a.k.a. còigeamh latha air fhichead dhen Ògmhios, dà mhìle ‘s a ceithir)

Sgrìobh Mìcheal gu slighe@yahoogroups.com:

“Dear Slighe folks –

It occurs to me that we could generate a huge income for Slighe at the
same time as holding the Feis by producing reality TV shows! OK, here’s the initial scenarios I suggest:

Dating the Gaelic Diva!
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Each year Slighe brings a single all-singing all-dancing Highland diva to the Feis, and eligible Seattle Gaelic-learning males vie for her attention. Watch as they try all means, fair and foul, to win her affections. (All participants are strictly barred from soliciting advice from Dale Cummings.)

Survivor: The Genitive
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Seattle’s Gaelic learners must survive a week in Fort Wordon using Gaelic
in all communications; any use of English words, or calques, will cause them to lose the prize. There is no avoiding it: the genitive must be mastered if these would-be Gaelic survivors are to endure for any time in the pressure-cooker of Fort Worden. Watch as participants wax eloquent, or starve from their inability to request simple food items in the genitive case. (All copies of Dwelly’s or any other Gaelic aids are forbidden on
Fort Worden for the duration of this program.)

Who is going to notify Ted Turner about this?

Once again, many thanks to everyone for the generosity and kindness they showed to me and Rhiannon during our time with the NW.

Micheal”