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Monthly Archives: March 2016
As a young child, I always looked forward to Spring. Growing up in Michigan, Spring time meant an end to a long winter season and the renewal of all things new. Some of my fondest childhood memories took place during family holiday gatherings. In the Spring, I could count on two constants: a new Easter dress and “cascarones” (confetti-filled, hollowed out eggshells). No Hughes familia Easter celebration was complete without cascarones. 
My family would begin saving hollowed out eggs for months before Easter, which meant that we ended up eating lots of scrambled eggs during this time; which is great, unless you were like me and liked your eggs, over easy. The evening before, we would sit and cut up newspaper or tissue paper for the confetti filling. We’d color hard-boiled eggs, along with our hollowed out eggs, getting everything ready for Easter Sunday.
After mass, we’d all gather at our home or a relative’s home for our Easter celebration. There was always lots of food, drink and the two best things: an Easter egg hunt and the breaking of cascarones. We were always told that breaking a cascarone over someone’s head and showing them with confetti, was supposed to bring good luck. I’m not certain if that was ever true or not, but it was always, and is to this day, lots of fun and still brings a smile to my face as I see my children carrying on that same Easter tradition.
My favorite cascarone memory was when my sister was in 1st or 2nd grade and she cracked a cascarone on my dad’s head; except she had grabbed a hard-boiled Easter egg by accident… ouch! We laugh about that to this day.
Nowadays, there are numerous mercados that sell cascarones already prepared, so we’re not stuck eating scrambled eggs for months ahead of time. Ah, progress! Happy Easter Everyone. [click the Title for comments]
On December 17, 2014, the United States and Cuba announced that they would begin the process to normalize relations between the two countries. Since that time, the two countries have established diplomatic relations and opened embassies. Agreements have been reached to restore direct flights and mail service. Commercial ties have been expanded and increased the capacity of Americans to travel and do business in Cuba.
On March 22, 2016, President Obama became the first American President to visit Cuba in 88 years. During this historical visit, the President brought “saludos de paz” and shared his vision for what the relationship between the two countries should be. Speaking in English and some occasional Spanish, President Obama emphasized that a country’s greatest asset is its people, leaving the Cuban people with a hopeful message for the future.
The President’s historic visit to Cuba was capped off by an exhibition game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuban National Team. This was the first Major League Baseball match in Cuba since 1999. [click the Title for comments]
Exhibit Opening and Panel Discussion, a Must See!
Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. This March 29th, please join the Walter P. Reuther Library for a Panel Discussion to celebrate the opening of a New Exhibit “From the Margins to the Core: Latino Workers in the Nation’s Auto Industry” on loan from Michigan State University. The exhibit spotlights the voices of Latino workers to explore their impact on the auto industry in Michigan, drawing from photographs, oral histories, and other archival records. Panelists will discuss the contributions of Latino auto workers from a variety of perspectives.
Panelists include:
Cindy Estrada, Vice President, International Union, UAW
Rubén Martinez, Director, Julian Samora Research Institute, Michigan State University
Celso Duque, Trustee, UAW Local 22
Robert “Bobby” Ramirez, Bargaining Committee, UAW Local 600
March 29, 2016
5-7 PM
Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs
5401 Cass Avenue, Detroit, MI
This event is part of the Reuther Library’s “Latino Americans: 500 Years of History” series, which is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. “Latino Americans: 500 Years of History” is part of the NEH Initiative, The Common Good: The Humanities in the Public Square. [click the Title for comments]
As far as I am concerned, the world revolves around the City of Detroit. With all of its rich diversity, automotive, artistic and professional sports history, it’s no wonder Detroiters are fiercely proud of their City. While the City’s economic challenges have been widely publicized, the City is well on her way back and the stage is now set for the City of Detroit’s Second Act. The curtain is about to open, better grab a seat.
With so much to do and see, I’ll be your weekly tour guide to places known and unknown around the City, State of Michigan and an occasional family adventure. Thanks for coming along.
