A Sign of the Times

Sunday, December 15th, 2024

December 15, 2024

Want to get your business in The Southshore Circle? Let’s talk!

Good morning, Southshore. It’s The Southshore Circle, the newsletter that’s as reliable as Rudolph on a foggy night. 🦌

In Today’s Edition:

  • After 21 Years, The Mega Machine Claims Another

  • You’ve got Mail…and a Gift Card

  • Christmas Cooking at it’s Best

Ace Golf Takes Final Bow

Boyette Road in Riverview has seen some things. I’ve lived here long enough to remember when it was just a lonely stretch of asphalt winding into the most rural parts of Hillsborough County. Now? It’s a bustling parkway packed with businesses, homes, and more lights than that Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center.

And guess what? It’s about to get even busier. Ace Golf—the beloved 18-acre driving range, putting course, and batting cage—is calling it quits. What’s replacing it, you ask? No, it’s not another car wash or storage unit (though I admit that was my first guess too). Instead, we’re getting a 24-hour emergency center and more single-family homes squeezed tighter than sardines in a can.

Look, I get it—everything changes. But watching my hometown transform into a never-ending parade of hospitals, jam-packed houses, and faceless chain businesses has me wondering if I need to book a session with a therapist. Sure, development has its perks—jobs, convenience, an emergency center for when the traffic-induced rage gets out of hand—but at what cost?

The recent storms made it painfully clear: this level of overdevelopment and changes in the natural topography come with some serious side effects. Flooding has worsened, natural landscapes are disappearing, and Boyette Road itself feels like it might buckle under the weight of another project. If you’re a Southshore native, you probably don’t need me to spell it out.

Concerns about traffic and flooding have already been raised, and while developers nod and listen like they care, we all know the drill. They’ll build first, apologize later. It’s hard not to wonder—when will it stop?

In the meantime, let’s take a moment to mourn the loss of another Southshore staple. If you’re feeling nostalgic or just need to blow off some steam, swing by Ace Golf for a final putt or a few cracks in the batting cage. The doors close for good on May 4th. After that, it’s back to reality—another housing development, another traffic jam.

Enjoy it while it lasts, folks.

And The Winner Is

When you share The Southshore Circle, you’re spreading more than just cheer—you’re helping us grow our community, and we can’t thank you enough! A few weeks ago, we launched our revamped referral program, and today we’re thrilled to announce our very first winner of a $50 Circles Gift Card. Just in time for some last-minute stocking stuffing!

🎉 Congratulations, Kaoa13! 🎉
Keep an eye on your inbox for another email from us with all the details.

Not a winner this time? Don’t worry, the fun’s not over! We’ll be naming a new winner every month on the 15th until we get all of Southshore reading the newsletter—or we run out of money (whichever comes first).

Want to join the raffle? It’s easy:

  1. Refer 3 friends to The Southshore Circle using the link at the bottom of this email.

  2. Pro tip: Your friends will get an email to confirm their subscription. Make sure they click “confirm” to seal the deal and credit the referral to you!

So, what are you waiting for? Share the Circle, spread the word, and maybe next month, you’ll be the one snagging the prize.

Happy sharing, and good luck!

A Winter Wonderland of Recipes

I pride myself as an amateur Michelin Chef. I know, it doesn’t work that way, but show me a man that doesn’t dare to dream, and I’ll show you a man that never sleeps.

Around the holidays, I pull out all the stops in an effort to impress the fictional Gordon Ramsay living rent-free in my head. (Just wait until he sees my Beef Wellington.)

But if it’s your first time dipping your toes into the slowly browning roux of Christmas culinary adventures (and for the love of Santa, don’t actually do that), we’ve got you covered. No need to panic or start stress-Googling "how to unburn mashed potatoes." We’ve got a few recipes that will turn you from the Grinch that burned the gravy into Santa sleighs in the kitchen.

We’ve scoured the internet to bring you a selection of the best Christmas recipes—from baking to broiling. The best part? They are so simple, they’ll make you look like you’ve been on The Great British Bake Off, minus the stress of Paul Hollywood’s handshake. Whether you’re aiming to wow the in-laws, impress your foodie friends, or just trying not to serve "charcoal surprise," we’ve got something for every skill level.

So grab your whisk, pour yourself a glass of wine (chef’s privilege), and let’s get cooking. Who knows? Maybe Gordon will even applaud you from his perch in your imagination.

Beef Wellington (Ok this one isn’t easy, but we couldn’t leave it out)

What’s washing up on the shore this week:

The Rumor Mill:

We wish the main story was a rumor, but unfortunately all the news this week is real.

Meet your neighbor:

Kicking off in the new year: your insider’s guide to discovering the hidden gems you’ve been missing out on!

Foodies Only:

We’re still basking in the glow of the wing sauce from Fried Flavor.

Local Sports:

The season takes a pause for the Christmas break. Sports will be back in the new year!

The Neighborhood Post:

Coming Soon!

The Neighborhood Post in The Southshore Circle is the heartbeat of local life. From services and sales to adoption opportunities, it’s your one-stop shop for staying connected—like a community board but way more effective.

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