Three Fun Patriotic Dishes for your Backyard Barbeque
July 2, 2021
Hot dogs and hamburgers are a must-have at your Fourth of July cookout but if you are looking to spice up the menu, then here are three fun and easy patriotic dishes that everyone will fall in love with!
American Flag Fruit Tray
What is more patriotic than the American Flag? This cute and simple appetizer is guaranteed to be a hit at your Fourth of July backyard barbeque!
Ingredients
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- White Chocolate-covered pretzels
- Find a big dish in your kitchen to assemble the flag.
- Wash your fruit and cut your strawberries in half.
- Place the strawberries in lines to resemble the flag.
- Put your blueberries in a bowl and place that bowl in the top left corner of your dish to act as the stars on the flag.
- Finally, lay the white chocolate-covered pretzels down in lines.
Now you have an American Flag that is both pretty to look and delicious!
Patriotic S’mores Chex Mix
If you have a sweet tooth, then this treat is for you! This fun and festive treat are super easy to make.
Ingredients
- White chocolate chips
- Chex Mix cereal
- Powdered sugar
- M&M's (red, white and blue)
- Mini pretzel sticks
- Mini marshmallows
- Chocolate chunks
- Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave.
- Pour Chex Mix into large bowl.
- Dump white chocolate mixture overtop Chex Mix.
- Mix that well and allow it to completely cool.
- Add the powdered sugar in a zip-lock bag along with the Chex mix and shake well.
- Add in remaining ingredients.
- Toss well and enjoy!
Firecracker Hot Dogs
These firecracker hot dogs are a guaranteed must-have at your Fourth of July party! They are so adorable too.
Ingredients
- Refrigerated breadstick dough
- Hot dogs
- Colby cheese (cut into thick slices)
- Wooden skewers
- Take the skewer and stick them through the hotdog leaving about an inch and a half exposed at the top of each dog.
- Take the breadstick dough and wrap it around the hotdog.
- Place the hotdogs in the oven at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
- Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to make the star shape with the cheese.
- Stick the star through the skewer at the top and enjoy!

As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts

GBU members between the ages of three and nine years old can enter their colored page in this year's contest, which is themed Pawprints on My Heart. Three age categories will be judged as follows: Category I: Ages three and four Category II: Ages five and six Category III: Ages seven, eight and nine Entrants may use crayons, colored pencils, markers or watercolor paints. Entries will be accepted through Monday, August 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The picture on the next page can be reproduced, or copies can be obtained by calling the Community Engagement Team at the GBU Home Office (800-765-4428) or by printing the image above. Cash Prizes for Each Category First prize: $75 Second prize: $50 Third prize: $30 How to Enter Send the three- to nine-year-old GBU member's coloring contest entry with their name and address on the colored page to: GBU Life ATTN: Member Benefits 4254 Saw Mill Run Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15227-3394. Or email contest@gbu.org with "Coloring Contest Entry” as the subject line. General Information Judges reserve the right to accept or reject any or all entries. Their decisions will be final. Artwork will be handled at the GBU Home Office with the utmost care. GBU reserves the right to reproduce entries for whatever use it wishes, provided proper credit is given. Permission does not include the sale of such work.

Graduating from college is an exciting milestone, but it’s also the perfect time to focus on your financial future. Building on the foundation you’ve already laid the groundwork for with smart money choices will set you up for long-term success. Here are a few key financial products to consider as you take the next step.