Saturday brought a 21 year family reunion with my Grandmother's side of the family the Hughes. The Hughes is another Irish branch of our family tree, notiably that 17 years after Patrick Hughes 1878 arrived in America he began one of first piano moving companies in Philadelphia. P. Hughes and Son Piano Movers was absorbed by John M. Duffy, which is still in business in the Philadephia area.
Below are a collection of Hughes and Raisch Group Family photos completed with a Raisch Studios film tribute to our beloved Monna, who passed three years ago this upcoming Saturday, June 1.
The Raisch Family in 2013
The 2013 Hughes Family Reunion. Eugene Hughes, Center (Blue Shirt)
The Extended Raisch Family, 1992 at the Hughes Family Reunion.
P. Hughes & Son Piano Movers, Eugene Hughes in 1925.
Katherine 'Monna' Hughes - Raisch, Various 1940's
Hughes Family in 1947. Kate and John Raisch, right on the hammock.
There's a lot of history I could write up on this event 20 years ago, but I feel people are quite familiar with the story and the lives lost. I was 10 years old at the time was pretty concerned. I recall having visions of enemy helicopters landing in our backyard in rural New Jersey. I'll account this to recent memories of the Middle East and Operation Gulf Storm from a 10 year's point of view.
It's somewhat unsettling that the attack was conceived, planned, and carried out from my home city, Jersey City.
From Terrorists to Brooklyn-like 'all-too-creative' business owners in 20 years, It's amazing how much Jersey City has changed. It's quite evident in HBO's Path to Paradise, filmed on location in Downtown JC. Scenes are shot from Grove and Newark Streets to Paulus Hook. The 'Path to Paradise' was produced in 1997 and has some excellent shots of the Towers back then. Filmed in Jersey City many locations and bodega are recognizable. It's spilt over 10 parts on YouTube, see the embed below.
As a historical foot note, this event resulted in changes to emergency procedures at the World Trade Center that saved lives on September 11th. People took evacuations seriously and knew what to do. The Vista Hotel was above the blast radius. On September 11th a small area of the building's structure survived the South Tower's collapse and protected those inside. From accounts I've heard, this happened because it had been re-enforced in the rebuilding after the '93 attack.
Below are some of AP Photographer's images from February 26 along with my family's photos of the Towers in 1993, including the opening to NBC Nightly News that evening.
This treasure trove of Kennedy artifacts is too good to pass up, Raisch Studios has picked a few of the highlights of this JFK auction. Back in January, the estate of David Powers along with John McInnis Auctioneers has put an amazing collection of Kennedy history and artifacts.
As seen below, NBC News is reporting that JFK's Bomber Jacket is selling for $570,000 at auction.
Kennedy in conte pencil, A 2004 Raisch Studios Portrait.
David Powers, Now and then.
Former Presidents, Kennedy, Truman and Johnson
Dave Powers enjoys his Heinekens, 1963.
John F. Kennedy's Bomber 'Air Force One' Jacket, seen up on the Cape with Peter Lawford., 1963.
The Hess & Eisenhardt 1961 Continental Lincoln - X-100
The Mark II, or the 1982 - 1986 Supra Celica was born. In late 1981, Toyota completely redesigned the Celica Supra as well as the entire Celica lineup for its 1982 production year. In Japan, they were known as Celica XX, but everywhere else the Celica Supra name was used. "Celica" is Spanish for "celestial" or "heavenly.""XX" is derived from "unknown quantity." The car is wildly popular, boxy in appearance and symbolizes 1980's autmotive design. For me and others it is an obtainable embodment of 80's sport cars design. My Supra rolled off the production line in July of '84 at Tahara Toyota Plant in Tahara, Aichi, Japan. It was shipped to the U.S. in early September of 84. The vehicle remained in New Jersey since. The Tahara Plant now produces the Lexus line in 2013.
Below is a brief history of the Supra's North American debut to the years of my ownership. The Supra, now labled as a restoration car due to it's inactive status is up for sale on ebay.com
Seventeen years pass since my (future) Supra rolled off the production line. By 1999, Dreaming of that 80's sports car sensiblity, I realize in high school that I can't afford a Delorean (First choice). More time elapses and situations change. In the early spring of 2001 and much internet based research I landed on the Supra model as one for me. Prior to my ownership the vehicle sees various changes in owners. Notiably, the original owner twice. In other word the original owner of the Supra sold it to a third party, then bought it back. These transactions made myself the fourth owner.
The Supra seen infront of the abandoned Capital Centre (US Airways Arena) June 2001, Washington, DC
Harrison, Jennifer and Mikey pose with the Supra, June 2001
The Supra and a 1982 DMC Delorean
The 1984, Mark II, Mark III and Mark IV Generation Supras
2001-2006
The Supra sees it's college/post-college years experiences. It's the subject of alot of photography and roadtrips. Good times are had by all.
Left, Raisch 1984 Supra - Right, Giacchi 1984 Supra - 2003 SupraCelica Fall Meet
2006-2013
The Supra is then retired and car cover kept for these years. She survives both Hurricanes Irene and Sandy in this time. By February of 2013 the Supra is labled as project car status. The Supra is not running on her own power and has seen some minor rust damage by the back quarter panel.
Supra Celica, 2010, Car cover kept.
The Front Emblem, 2010 Supra Celica
Finally, for your viewing enjoyment,
Below are a collection of the original Supra commericals aired in the US. We learn that it was customary to jump in excitement next to your Supra in the 80's.
Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 11:52PM 
The Raisch Family in 2013
The 2013 Hughes Family Reunion. Eugene Hughes, Center (Blue Shirt)
The Extended Raisch Family, 1992 at the Hughes Family Reunion. 
P. Hughes & Son Piano Movers, Eugene Hughes in 1925.
Katherine 'Monna' Hughes - Raisch, Various 1940's
Hughes Family in 1947. Kate and John Raisch, right on the hammock.
The Hughes Family, 1947
The Hughes Family, 1940s
Kate and the Hughes Family, 1930s.
The Hughes Family, Mid 1920s
