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DISCOVER NATURE’S WONDERS AT THE ZOO! Big Cats, Baby Pandas
THE KONECKY JOURNAL DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025
As a kid, I often fell asleep at night to the sound of lions roaring. I was fascinated by the big cats, and I took for granted that they prowled the night so near to where I slept.
we saw the Audubon Zoo. It’s fascinating to see how each different city organizes its zoo. No two zoos are alike. The best zoo I’ve ever visited, hands down, is near where we live — Zoo Miami. It is the only sub- tropical zoo in the nation, and it sustains a broad mix of species from Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas, in lush open-air exhibits that replicate the animals’ natural habitats. The enclosures for the big cats aren’t really enclosures. They’re just land surrounded by giant moats, and it seems that a good running leap is all it would take for the animals to breach the perimeter. But it is because of that unique layout that Zoo Miami is so fascinating. The Palm Beach Zoo in our town is always fun to visit, too. I also enjoy the way some of the big Disney and Busch theme parks have integrated zoos into their offerings. We went to Busch Gardens last year, and while it was great to do all the rides, a big part of the appeal for me was the zoo. Last summer, we went to Illinois to visit friends and family, and I took Jade to our little zoo in Coal Valley. Niabi Zoo is one you can do in 1 1/2 hours and see everything twice. You can buy a ticket for a little train that takes you around the park. If you ask to sit up front with the engineer, you get to pull the whistle. That was something I always loved doing as a kid. Being able to show that to Jade after all our trips to grander zoos and theme parks was fun. We just enjoyed the day. When I first met Ashley, seeing that she was drawn to animals and appreciated the natural world was important to me. Now, it makes me happy to see that our daughter does, too. As Visit the Zoo Day rolls around this month, I hope you’ll take some time to enjoy your favorite zoo.
Before you conclude that I grew up on the Serengeti, my family actually lived
a quarter-mile from the next best thing — a zoo. I grew up in a rural area of western Illinois in a town called Coal Valley, and we enjoyed the unusual benefit of having the Niabi
Zoo as a community fixture. My parents and grandparents would take us there often. As we got older, I liked riding my bike there. Tuesdays were a free day during the summer, and the lions always fascinated me. I loved the monkeys and the chimpanzees and their high energy.
Understanding and appreciating the animal world was important to my family when I was growing up, and it still is. In recognition of Visit the Zoo Day on Dec. 27, it’s worth reflecting on what we learn about that world from visiting zoos. Zoos were frequent destinations for our family outings. My mom would drive us to Chicago to the Lincoln Park Zoo or the Brookfield Zoo. You gain perspective when you see wild animals up close. The big cats still fascinate me, and the
“Understanding and appreciating the animal world was important to my family when I was growing up, and it still is.”
gorillas clearly are an advanced species. Most people in our culture today appreciate their pets, but I don’t think we treat our animals well in general. We do a lot of destructive things to our earth and to animals. It enrages me that big game hunting for endangered species is still allowed. Even before our daughter, Jade, was born, Ashley and I made a point of visiting various cities’ zoos. We made it to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., just weeks after the giant panda Mei Xiang gave birth to baby Tai Shan in 2005. When we took a trip to New Orleans,
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Bimonthly Book Pick We haven’t done a new book recommendation for a while, but I’ve been reading a novel I want to share. This new work by a prize-winning mystery writer popped up when I was searching online recently for an entertaining new read, and it has turned out to be fascinating. The catchy title grabbed my attention. Since I’m self- employed, what better book for me than “Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide”? The author, Rupert Holmes, has won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America. This latest work, a finalist for the 2024 Audie Award for Mystery books on tape, is a already winner on my list.
For many Americans, the holiday season is all about family and tradition. We decorate our homes with garlands and lights that bring us holiday cheer, prepare for family visits, go ice skating, and maybe even send a letter to Santa. However, another special tradition spans generations and excites every family member — baking holiday cookies! Many will bake cookies just for their immediate family to enjoy along with their favorite holiday movie, while others will bake up a huge batch to bring to the big family get-together of the season. If you want to try something fun and unique this year, consider hosting a holiday cookie swap with your loved ones. This tradition will allow you to try all sorts of new and delicious cookies — there are so many different kinds of holiday cookies, and every baker has their own specialty. Start by determining whom you want to invite, setting a budget, and deciding how many cookies everyone should bring to the event. This ensures that nobody outshines anyone else through sheer volume or expensive ingredients alone. It’s a time for bonding, not competition. Once you have the ground rules and guestlist set, you need to get the decorations for the event. Treat it like a party. At your local party store, pick out decorations that fit the season’s theme. You can get unique napkins, mugs, stirring spoons for hot drinks, and anything else you think captures the holiday spirit. This is also a good time to procure all your baking essentials, such as chocolate chips or unique cookie cutters. All that’s left is hosting the party and ensuring everyone has a good time. If you want, you can even hold little contests to increase the excitement — each guest can vote on the prettiest or tastiest cookies and offer small prizes to the winner. As long as those attending enjoy themselves, your event will be a success. Plus, everyone who attends will have plenty of delicious cookies to get them through the rest of the holiday season! Leave Your Guests Smiling and Satisfied SWEETEN THE SEASON WITH A COOKIE SWAP!
A MESSAGE FROM THE FAITHFUL
“Matthew and his staff were amazing. They kept my wife and me informed throughout the process. And the outcome of our case was very favorable. We highly recommend!”
– Jay
“Did a great job! Kept me in the loop about everything and got my cases dismissed. No problem!” – Jonathan
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A MURDER MANUAL FOR AN ANALOG AGE
“Murder Your Employer” is set in the 1950s, in an era before cellphones and social media, at a unique school that teaches students how to become highly skilled assassins or “deletists.” Like the murderous lead character in the Showtime TV series “Dexter,” these killers are trained to follow a code of conduct. Among the rules they must follow is that no innocent people can be harmed during their attempts to commit the perfect crime. Narrated by a character named Harbinger Harrow, dean of the McMaster’s Conservatory for the Applied Arts, the narrative unfolds in the form of a self-help manual. A main character, Ciff Iverson, was an employee at an airplane manufacturing company who tried and failed to murder his former boss for extorting and abusing employees and endangering the lives of passengers by shoddy manufacturing. Iverson is abducted by two McMasters employees posing as police officers, who accuse him of having committed a comically bad murder attempt.
the story with excerpts from Iverson’s journal entries and descriptions of the other two other deletists’ experiences, tracing them through numerous adventures in school and after graduation. This 2023 book is the first in a series, with the second expected by the end of this year. It’s quirky, humorous, and dark — and it’s a perfect escape from day-to-day life into an era before cellphones, social media, or cybercrime. I hope you enjoy it!
The novel traces the training of three deletists — Iverson, extortion victim Gemma Lindley, and film star Doria Maye. Dean Harrow tells
Cooking With Ashley
Download These Books Today ! YOUR LEGAL RESOURCE
Chicken Caprese Salad
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Ingredients
When it comes to the legal process, you may have a lot of questions. Well, I have answers! Right now, I am offering my two resource books for free. ‘My Loved One Has Been Arrested: What’s Next?’ The second edition of my first book is now available for download. In the second edition, you will find out what happens after your case, how to remove mugshots, and what to do if you were the one arrested. If you want a physical copy, please contact our office today. ‘What You Must Know About Your DUI Case Before You Do Anything’ Being convicted of a DUI charge can drastically change your life. Learn what goes into a DUI case and what your first step should be.
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2 (8-oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
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1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
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2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
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8 cups coarsely chopped romaine lettuce
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2 tsp Dijon mustard
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1 tsp ground pepper
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1 lb grape tomatoes, halved
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2 1/2 tsp honey
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1 (8-oz) container fresh small mozzarella cheese balls in water, drained
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3/4 tsp salt, divided
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1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
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1/2 tsp garlic powder
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1 cup fresh basil leaves
Directions
1. Whisk vinegar, olive oil, mustard, and pepper in a medium bowl. Transfer 6 tbsp of mixture to a smaller bowl and whisk in honey; set aside. 2. To mixture in the medium bowl, add 1/2 tsp salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Add chicken; toss to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes. 3. Coat a grill pan with oil. Over medium heat, add chicken and cook until grill marks appear on each side, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a plate; let stand for 5 minutes. 4. Arrange romaine, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil on a large platter; sprinkle with salt. Top with the sliced chicken and drizzle with the honey mixture.
Head over to MatthewKoneckyPA.com today for your FREE downloads!
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INSIDE
1 What Zoos Teach Us About Nature’s Wonders 2 ’Tis the Season to Swap Cookies A Message From the Faithful 3 Bimonthly Book Pick: ‘Murder Your Employer’ Chicken Caprese Salad 4 Italy’s Most Photogenic Seaside Destination
Discover Cinque Terre Walk the Italian Riviera’s ‘Pathway of Love’
Imagine a cluster of ancient seaside villages along the Italian Riviera so picturesque that it inspired a Disney film. Cinque Terre, or “five lands,” encompasses five breathtakingly photogenic fishing villages along the northwest coast of Italy. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage area, this national park offers all the attractions visitors love about Italy, from extraordinary food and wine to exciting seaside views. Childhood memories of Cinque Terre inspired Disney director Enrico Casarosa to re-create the setting for his Oscar-nominated coming-of-age film “Luca.” Cinque Terre’s narrow streets are often filled with day-trippers during the summer, nearly overwhelming the area’s 4,000 residents. The flood of tourists eases in the winter, however, making this the best season to savor Cinque Terre’s beauty and culture. While farmers developed the area in the 11th century, Cinque Terre was inaccessible by road until the 1960s. One has to admire the ingenuity of residents who carved terraces into the steep cliffs,
stacked houses down the ravines, and cultivated olives and wines so superb that kings favored them during the Renaissance. Hiking is a favorite pastime here, and visitors this winter are in luck. One of the most beautiful walkways in the world, the half-mile Via dell’Amore (or Pathway of Love), reopened in August 2024 after repairs following a 2012 rockfall. Reservations are required, and visitors are only allowed to walk one way on the path from the village of Riomaggiore to Manarola. Unlike the steep, rugged hiking paths elsewhere in Cinque Terre, however, part of the Via dell’Amore is wheelchair accessible, and the breathtaking views are worth the effort. Planning to drive in and around Cinque Terre isn’t wise. The clifftop roads are narrow and frightening, even for seasoned drivers, and nonresidents aren’t allowed to park in the villages. A better strategy is to take the train from the Genoa or Pisa airports (about 1–2 hours). Check the national park website at Parconazionale5terre.it before you arrive to learn about any winter storm closures and trail conditions.
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