Did 'ya Ever Wonder...

I am not a huge television fanatic, but I do enjoy watching sports, especially the Miami Hurricanes, along with local & national news and reruns of Miami CSI & Columbo. I also on occasion enjoy watching MeTV (Memorable Entertainment Television) offering a variety of classic television programs from the 1930s through the 1990s. My favorite news program continues to be 60 Minutes. First airing on September 24, 1968, it is the oldest and most-watched newsmagazine on television reporting on America's most prevalent topics ranging from hard news coverage to politics, lifestyle, pop culture, business, health, and science. Although the various segments of the program were extremely informative, my favorite was “A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney” as he typically offered satire on everyday issues. He would often start his commentary with “Did ‘ya ever wonder …..?”

Being a “Baby Boomer” and sharing with you my favorite shows I grew up with, “Did ‘ya ever wonder…” what happened to the good wholesome shows that in many ways taught a lesson at their conclusion? I would welcome back the days when three stations via TV antennas were broadcast, concluding at midnight with the playing of our National Anthem. Today’s sitcoms and other reality shows, many portraying no morality or comedic relief, just don’t resonate with me. Maybe I’m just showing my age or being “grumpy” like Mr. Rooney!

Well, enough of that but I would like to place a little Christmas into my observations. “Did ‘ya ever wonder…” how the poinsettia came to be as a Christmas plant. Here are some fun facts about its history.
• The poinsettia flower is native to Central America – specifically, an area in southern Mexico called “Taxco del Alarcon.”
• It wasn't until the 17th century that the plant first became associated with Christmas when Franciscan monks in the town of Taxco de Alarcon used the shrub in Nativity processions.
• The plants were used by the ancient Aztecs to make a purple dye for clothing and cosmetics.
• A medicine to treat fevers was made from the poinsettias' milky white sap wax.
• Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous. While some humans and pets are sensitive to the plant’s milky white sap, which contains latex, it is not toxic. It can, however, cause irritation to the skin, eyes, mucus membranes or digestive system if consumed. Well, maybe it is poisonous!
• The showy, colorful part of the poinsettia is not a flower, it is a modified leaf. The poinsettia’s modified leaves called bracts, are often mistaken for the flower. Actually, the small yellow flowers called cyathium, can be found clustered in the center of the bracts.
• Poinsettias can grow up to 15 feet tall. In their native tropical environment in Mexico and Central America, poinsettias are a perennial woody shrub that grow as high as 10 to 15 feet tall, more like a small tree than a houseplant.
• December 12 is National Poinsettia Day. The date marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, the South Carolina congressman credited with bringing the poinsettia to the United States from Mexico. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure recognizing National Poinsettia Day in 2002.
• California is the top poinsettia-producing state. Poinsettias are commercially grown in all 50 states. Other top poinsettia-producing states include North Carolina, Texas, Florida and Ohio.

I am sure “you are wondering” how the GCU is performing financially. Despite the challenges associated with the current high interest rate markets, GCU is performing well, continuing to increase assets and surplus and generating a modest net profit. Assets for the first nine months of 2023 stand at $2.7 billion, surplus totals $220 million with a recorded net profit of $7.4 million. The GCU’s 2023 third quarter financial results and detailed commentary are presented on page ??6 by our Chief Financial Officer Tim Demetres.

As we are concluding the first full year under the GCU’s new Fraternal Metamorphosis Program, our gratitude and thank you to each of our Constellation and Byzantine Catholic Parish Coordinators. We view this new format as a total success as we have expanded the GCU’s presence in many new communities and our Byzantine Catholic Parishes having more than doubled the number of parishes that had lodge affiliation in the past. Our special thank you to the GCU’s Fraternal/Communications Director, Basil Wahal, and his entire Staff for their efforts in assisting the coordinators that has brought many new GCU faces to the various fraternal activities that were planned throughout the past year.

It is hard to believe as time passes so quickly, 2024 is an election year. The GCU Board of Directors are seeking candidates interested in becoming a member of the Board of Directors and meet the criteria and required qualifications presented on page ??4. All candidates must submit their Declaration of Candidacy forms to the Nominating Committee by April 1, 2024. The forms are available on the GCU website in the Member Events section or can be obtained by calling GCU President/CEO George Juba at 724-495-3400 ext. 3928 or emailing - gjuba@GCUusa.com .

I recently attended the Episcopal Ordination and Enthronement of Bishop Robert M. Pipta as the sixth Bishop of the Eparchy of Parma. We wish Bishop Robert all the best as he leads the clergy and shepherds the faithful of our Parma Byzantine Catholic Parishes.

We extend our condolences to retired Board of Director Member Dorothy Foran as her husband, Deacon Lawrence Foran recently passed. I had the good fortune of knowing Deason Larry as he was a true leader, dedicated to the teaching profession, the GCU as a former lodge officer, his community and church. May his Memory be Eternal! Vicnaja Pamjat!

In closing, I would like to leave you with one of Andy Rooney’s quotes as we are in the heart of the Christmas Season.

“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don't clean it up too quickly.”

My congratulations and thank you to our Board of Directors, Executive Officers, Department Directors and our entire Support Staff that has allowed GCU to navigate through another challenging but successful year! May the Birth of Our Lord and Savior and the joy of this holiday season provide to you and your family Hope, Faith, Peace, Love and Good Tiding during this Christmas Season! My best wishes for a safe and Happy Holiday Season and all the best for a healthy and prosperous New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
CHRISTOS RAZDAJETSJA!
CHRIST IS BORN!

George N. Juba | GCU President/CEO