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Featured Story

Southshore Student Out-Spells Half the Adults at Publix

Ok, the headline is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but Emery Howell did outspell every other 1st grader in the state of Florida. So, 50% of the Publix population is not completely out of the question.

At only six years old, Emery Howell, who attends Ruskin Christian School, headed to Inverness to battle it out with the best spelling savants from across the state. The competition was tough. The words were syllable-busting and phonetically unhinged. But pressure makes diamonds, or in this case, state champions.

Emery studied like a scholar, poring over nearly 2,000 words during her preparation. Let me remind you, she’s only six. Fueled by a second-place finish at regionals, Emery was determined to claim the top spot.

When the smoke and dust cleared and the last vowel sounded, Emery stood victorious, clenching the title of the best 1st-grade speller in Florida and taking home a trophy nearly her size.

Now that business has been taken care of, Emery is looking forward to watching TV while keeping an eye on her trophy. As she should.

Southshore, join me in congratulating Emery on all her hard work and accomplishments. Thanks to her, we can add another feather to our hat, we officially boast the best-spelling six-year-old in the entire state.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Featured Story

Raising The Steaks

It’s a good thing that it’s turkey season because steak has taken itself off the menu. Somewhere between the pasture and your plate, beef decided it wanted to identify as a luxury item, and now your ribeye is out here acting like it belongs in a jewelry case instead of on the grill.

Across the Bay, restaurants, butcher shops, and your favorite little mom-and-pop spots are all saying the same thing: beef is getting expensive and staying that way. Smaller cattle herds, higher feed costs, and good old-fashioned supply and demand are all tag-teaming your dinner plans. That’s why your usual burger combo suddenly costs a few extra bucks, and that steak special is starting to look like it comes with a credit check.

For Southshore folks, this doesn’t mean you have to cancel grilling season, it just means you might see a little more chicken, pork, and sausage sharing the spotlight. Think of it as giving the cow a breather while the pig and the poultry pick up some shifts. So if you notice fewer steaks on menus or “market price” popping up where numbers used to be, it’s not your imagination. The beef is still out there — it just wants to be treated like the VIP of the plate, and your wallet can definitely feel it.

Southshore Spotlight

Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary

Elmira's Wildlife Sanctuary in Wimauma is a volunteer-run nonprofit devoted to giving exotic and wild animals a forever home, complete with enrichment, care and educational tours.

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We Know a Guy…or Girl

Send Out Cards

There’s no better time to say thank you. Whether it’s friends, family, or someone who made your year brighter, share your gratitude with a real card from SendOutCards. Thoughtful connection, made easy.

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“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

El Guavate De OTO

(OTO’s Pinchos)

Looking for bold Puerto Rican flavor in Riverview? El Guavate De Oto on US-301 is your spot for lechón, arroz con gandules, pinchos, tostones, and more, all with the kind of “come hungry or else” energy we love.

I don’t do food reviews myself, but I just stopped here because my kids normally get pinchos in Tampa off 78th Street. What a surprise that there was a much closer option. When Oto handed me my food he said, “you’ll be back.” He wasn’t lying. I just added a new lunch spot to the rotation.

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Local Sports

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Until next time,

Keep It Local.