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THE SKINNY

• Farmers battle winter, again

• Ray Dalio’s tips on finance

• Punch, the monkey

Featured Story

When the Freeze Hits Florida Farms

After $3 Billion in January Losses, Another Cold Snap Has Florida Growers on Alert

When temperatures dipped below freezing in January, most of us grabbed an extra blanket and called it a night.

For Florida farmers, it was something else entirely.

State officials estimate that the January frost caused more than $3 billion in agricultural losses. Sugarcane fields, citrus groves, and winter strawberries all took a hit. In Plant City, growers reported losing a noticeable portion of their strawberry crops, and for many workers, that meant lost income during peak season.

Now another cold snap is on the way.

Crews are preparing irrigation systems that coat crops in water before temperatures drop. It sounds backward, but that layer of ice can actually protect the plants from deeper damage. It’s a nightly gamble against the forecast.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is still assessing the long term impact from January. And that’s the challenge with freezes. The damage can linger well beyond the coldest night.

Here in Southshore, we may feel it in higher produce prices or tighter supply at local markets. Agriculture is closer to home than we sometimes realize.

But there’s resilience in it too. Growers replant. They adapt. And interestingly, strawberries that survive a light frost can actually become sweeter.

Cold hits. What survives gets stronger.

We’ll be watching how this next freeze plays out. And if you see Florida produce on the shelf, know there’s a lot behind it this season.

Monday Money Minute

3 Financial Tips from Ray Dalio

Ray Dalio, founder of one of the world’s largest hedge funds, believes success follows a simple formula. It applies to life, business, and yes, your money.

Here are three financial takeaways you can use this week:

1. Be Clear on What You Want
You cannot hit a target you have not defined. Whether it is paying off debt, building a six month emergency fund, or investing for retirement, clarity creates focus. Write the goal down. Put a number and timeline on it.

2. Identify the Obstacles and Make a Plan
Dalio talks about understanding what stands in your way. In personal finance, that might be overspending, inconsistent saving, or not tracking expenses. Once you identify the obstacle, build a system that corrects it. Budget. Automate savings. Cut one unnecessary expense.

3. Stay Consistent and Learn From Mistakes
Financial success is not about perfection. It is about progress. Markets move. Expenses pop up. Plans shift. The key is staying disciplined and adjusting when necessary instead of quitting.

Money is not complicated. It just requires clarity, planning, and consistency. That is your Monday reminder.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Your Weekly What in the World

Punch the Macaque Goes Viral and IKEA Smiles All the Way to the Bank

If you haven’t heard about Punch the Monkey, then today’s your lucky day. This snuggly little fella has amassed a Taylor Swift-level following. Punch, a Japanese macaque who was abandoned by his mother, found comfort in a stuffed orangutan toy. And the internet fell in love.

But there’s more to it than cute photos.

Researchers say animal mothers sometimes abandon their young due to stress, inexperience, illness, or social pressures within the group. It’s rare, but it happens. For Punch, that early loss meant he had to find comfort somewhere else.

Enter the plush orangutan.

Scientists say Punch’s attachment to the toy reflects something deeper, known as attachment theory. When young animals lose their primary caregiver, they often seek a substitute source of comfort and security. In Punch’s case, that soft toy became a stand-in for the bond he lost.

That’s likely why his story resonates so widely. Whether human or animal, we all look for stability when life feels uncertain. Sometimes it’s a person. Sometimes it’s a routine. Sometimes it’s something soft and familiar.

And of course, the internet did what the internet does. IKEA moved quickly, tying the viral moment to its own plush toy line. The $15 toy sold out in multiple regions and soon popped up on resale sites, with some listings climbing as high as $165.

Punch may be a viral star, but he’s also a reminder that the need for connection runs deep across species. And sometimes, even a stuffed toy can feel like a lifeline.

Southshore Spotlight

Firehouse Cultural Center

At its heart, the Firehouse Cultural Center in Ruskin exists to bring quality arts programming to Southshore while making sure it’s accessible to everyone, no matter your age or experience level.

The goal is simple but powerful. Create a space where people can participate, explore, discover, and learn. From live performances and visual art to workshops and educational programs, the Firehouse is designed to connect residents to the full spectrum of the arts while celebrating the unique history, culture, and natural beauty that define Southshore.

Nominate your local hero by emailing us at [email protected]

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Stellar Notary Services

Interested in joining the list? Shoot us an email to [email protected]

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Marcos Pizza

If you’ve got a restaurant, food truck, or even a lemonade stand, it could be featured here. Email us at [email protected]

Local Sports

Our area high schools boast state champions and multiple division titleists. Come out and show your support for these teams and for our community.

Got news, events, or press releases that the Southshore needs to know about? Submit them here. (We’ll do our best to add press releases in our regular rotation.) If you’re looking to run an actual ad, go here instead.

Until next time,

Keep It Local.