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STAYING LOYAL TO THE HOME TEAM Ready for the Crack of the Bat …
THE KONECKY JOURNAL
APR/MAY 2024
Some of life’s most worthy undertakings require persistence. As any diehard baseball fan would tell you, staying loyal to your home team can be one of them. As the Major League Baseball season gets underway this month ( Opening day is March 28 ), we fans here in South Florida have been lucky to see some of the game’s best and brightest young players engage in spring training. You might assume I’m a fan of the Miami Marlins, the closest team to my current home, but I am actually a lifelong fan of one of baseball’s most storied franchises — the Chicago Cubs. While the Cubs haven’t delivered many World Series victories to their long-suffering fans, they have provided a lot of great stories. The opening of the baseball season always sparks warm memories of past games and family outings. I grew up about three hours from Chicago, and I have memories of going to Wrigley Field to see games. Wrigley Field itself is an experience. It’s been the home of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. And we always had a good time at that iconic old park. The legendary sports announcer Harry Carey was calling games for the Cubs during that era. Carey, who was known for leading the audience in singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch, also was famed for saying outlandish things into his mic and drinking a lot of Budweiser beer during games. By the seventh- inning stretch, he was usually half in the bag. When I was about 9 years old, my dad and I got tickets a few rows behind the broadcast booth. We could see Harry Carey rushing out of the booth between innings to go to the restroom. If the men’s room was full, he would head into the ladies’ room. My dad would call my attention to this, and we’d both laugh. I thought that was the funniest thing. I couldn’t believe he went into the ladies’ room. That is one of those memories that has stuck with me. I enjoyed seeing the Cubs win the World Series in 2016. That Series win was the Cubs’ first in 108 years, and it ended the longest championship drought in Major League history — or in any major sports league in the United States or Canada, for that matter.
In what many people consider one of the greatest World Series of all time, the Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians. It was an epic struggle. Just sticking with the team through Game 7 took a lot of persistence. That final matchup lasted past midnight, through 10 innings and a rain delay, before the Cubs finally won it 8-7. My wife went to bed during the rain delay. But when she came out hours later to get some water and saw me still pacing around the kitchen, looking frantic, she stayed up and we watched the end of the game together. It took the Cubs 108 years to end that long championship drought, but they kept trying, and the fans kept saying, “Wait until next year!” That’s the kind of attitude we need in life to overcome adversity and succeed. If we visit Illinois in the summer, my family and I still make a point of seeing the Cubs play if possible, and we also try to catch their games against the Marlins in Florida. I’m looking forward to the Cubs’ 2024 season. They are a young team that surprised fans last year by nearly winning a Wild Card berth. Then, in typical Cubs fashion, they lost 15 of their last 22 games. Nevertheless, even as a transplant from Illinois to South Florida, I am still a Cubs fan. I am not one of those people who abandon the team they grew up with just because I moved. The Cubs are still my team, and I’m not going to switch just because they’re losing again, either. I am sticking with the team I grew up with. Watching baseball has always been something my family has done together, and I look forward to continuing that tradition with my own family. My daughter Jade is 9 years old, and she has seen me watch plenty of Cubs games on TV. Now that we’re near the Marlins’ home field, Miami could become her home team.
“It took the Cubs 108 years to end that long championship drought, but they kept trying, and the fans kept saying, ‘Wait until next year!’ That’s the kind of attitude we need in life to overcome adversity and succeed.”
10.0
As for the Cubs’ prospects for the 2024 season? Maybe this will be the year.
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Flashing Lights?
SUCCEED IN YOUR NO-SPEND CHALLENGE Financial Detox
Move Over!
Thanks to clever advertising and a lack of discipline in spending habits, many people spend too much on trinkets and other things they don’t need. To help us all stop impulsive spending habits, the No-Spend Challenge was developed and has gone viral on the internet. This financial detox challenge encourages us to break free from the mindless spending we may be partaking in. It’s a challenge that pushes mindfulness to reassess financial habits rather than deprive us of necessities. The first step is creating clear budgeting goals. Whether paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or saving for a specific milestone, having a concrete and well-defined objective helps you stay motivated throughout the process. This should also include an end date to achieve your goal — a year, month, or week are all options. Your plan should also identify and anticipate potential roadblocks during the no-spend period. This structure will make the challenge feel like more than just a temporary spending freeze. This accountability and the communal nature of the trend encourage you to reflect on how often you’re spending your hard-earned money. You can also rediscover the value of experiences that don’t cost anything and develop healthier financial habits. These help dismantle a consumer mindset, enabling you to use funds to fulfill goals rather than a quick adrenaline hit. When you complete the challenge, you will emerge armed with newfound financial freedom, awareness, and discipline, and you’ll be more inclined to reach short-term financial goals, practice healthy spending habits, and work toward long-term financial health. A No-Spend Challenge can foster a community of others who gain these new skills and inspire others to halt their own consumption. This intentional approach to spending will assure participants that they’re in control of their aspirations and the finances that can fund them.
A MESSAGE FROM THE FAITHFUL
“Mr. Konecky was very knowledgeable, helpful, and understanding of my situation. I’ve spoken with many lawyers in the past
and he was very easy to talk to. Thank you.”
– Dale
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SAFEGUARDING STOPPED VEHICLES ON FLORIDA HIGHWAYS
Download These Books Today ! YOUR LEGAL RESOURCE It may be hard to imagine a time when a paramedic or firefighter rescuing an accident victim along a highway could be held at fault for getting hit by oncoming traffic. However, that was the state of affairs less than 30 years ago before all 50 states started enacting Move Over laws. The problem came to light after a paramedic was held legally at fault after being hit while rescuing a patient on the side of the road. Growing problems with distracted driving are fueling the trend. Florida state police data show drivers’ failure to follow the Move Over law caused 176 accidents in 2023, including nine serious injuries. Motorists on Florida highways face expanded legal requirements this year to move over a lane or slow down significantly when passing emergency or stopped vehicles along the side of the road. The Florida law, which took effect Jan. 1, is part of a national trend toward broadening “Move Over” laws to protect a wider range of stopped vehicles. Florida’s original law required drivers to move over a lane or slow down for tow trucks, first responders, and other emergency vehicles. The state’s revised legislation expands these protections to cover any disabled vehicles displaying hazard lights, emergency flares, or signage, including utility service vehicles and garbage trucks.
Despite nationwide adoption of Move Over laws, only about 30% of drivers are aware of them, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Here’s what you need to know as a Florida driver:
• Ignorance is no defense! You cannot avoid a conviction under Florida’s Move Over law by pleading that you didn’t know about it. • When any vehicle with flashing lights or emergency flares or signage is parked alongside the highway, move over a lane. • If you are unable to move over safely or are driving on a two-lane road, slow your speed by 20 mph. If you are already in a low-speed zone, slow down by 5 mph. • The penalty for violating the law is typically a $60–$158 fine, with fines as high as $500 for extreme cases. If you are cited for a Move Over violation, a skilled car accident attorney can help with your defense by looking for technical mistakes in the citation and gathering evidence in your favor, such as weather or bodycam data that may show that pulling over would have been unsafe. We are available to assist you with your defense.
Cooking With Ashley
Hearty Lentil Soup
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. Head over to MatthewKoneckyPA.com today for your FREE downloads!
Warm, hearty, and brimming with flavor, this lentil soup is the ultimate comfort food.
Ingredients
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2 cups dry lentils
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2 tbsp olive oil
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6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
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1 onion, diced
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tsp dried thyme
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2 carrots, diced
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1 bay leaf
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2 celery stalks, diced
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. 2. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Stir in lentils, vegetable broth, thyme, and bay leaf, and bring to a simmer. 4. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 5. Discard the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!
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INSIDE
1 2 3 4
A Diehard Baseball Fan on the Value of Persistence
Navigating the No-Spend Challenge A Message From the Faithful
Legal Penalties Rise for Distracted Drivers Hearty Lentil Soup
April Escapes
ESCAPE APRIL SHOWERS THIS SPRING 3 Vacations Spots to Avoid Seasonal Gloom
April showers bring May flowers, but you don’t have to stick around to wait for them to bloom. Escape to these three destinations and enjoy the new life of spring without the rain. Amsterdam, Holland, Netherlands Why wait for May to see spring flowers? All April long, Holland sports the most beautiful colors in the world, and people from all over the globe go enjoy the Keukenhof Garden Festival. This festival has occurred for 75 years, and as it’s only 30 minutes away from Amsterdam proper, you can experience the best of both worlds. Explore the thousands of tulips during the day and then spend time in the city, exploring the beautiful canals and shopping districts in the evening. Don’t worry if you miss the beautiful flowers; most of the city’s museums and hotels have tulips, too. Seville, Spain Embark on an enchanting journey to Seville, where vibrant culture and passion come alive. Picture
yourself strolling through cobblestone streets where you can immerse yourself in the parades that travel through the city during Holy Week. Brass bands build up to a beautiful celebration on Easter, and just two weeks later, the Feria de Abril begins. This fiesta is full of lively parties, even more music, and colorful costumes. Sevillanos on horseback and the clacking footwork of flamenco dancers are captivating to watch, so don’t miss out by getting rained in. Malta Located to the south of mainland Europe in the Mediterranean Sea, Malta is part of an archipelago consisting of several islands, including Gozo and Comino. Because of its diverse cultures, you’ll hear Arab accents in the language as you pass Baroque architecture. Nature lovers, hikers, and landscape photographers alike can explore the rocky coastlines, impressive rock formations, and dazzling sea caves, such as the Blue Grotto (Malta), plus beautiful beaches like Ramia Bay (Gozo) and Ghajn Tuffieha
Bay (Malta). However, the biggest advantage of traveling in Malta is that everything is in full bloom: green fields, blooming citrus trees, and beautiful flowers. If you go in spring, you’ll beat the tourists, too, as summer is peak season.
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