{"id":3869,"date":"2026-08-14T15:40:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T15:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corporate-movers-usa.com\/?p=3869"},"modified":"2026-08-14T15:40:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T15:40:23","slug":"meet-soupy-islands-longtime-caretaker-inquirer-south-jersey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corporate-movers-usa.com\/?p=3869","title":{"rendered":"Meet Soupy Island\u2019s longtime caretaker | Inquirer South Jersey"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Good morning, South Jersey. It\u2019s Friday! It looks like a mixed bag in the weather department this weekend. Saturday seems promising, but storms (potentially severe) are forecast for Sunday.<\/p>\n

Read more 70-year-old man shot and killed in East Germantown, police say<\/a><\/p>\n

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Have you heard of Soupy Island? It\u2019s a fun, quirky play spot for kids in West Deptford that is open only about one month a year. One man has been running it for nearly 30 years.<\/p>\n

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Speaking of children, young athletes will participate next week in an international baseball tournament in Marlton. <\/p>\n

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Plus, nearly 30 dead sharks washed ashore in Sea Isle City, and more news of the day.<\/p>\n

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\u2014 Ellen Dunkel (<\/i>southjersey@inquirer.com<\/i>)<\/i><\/p>\n

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P.S. Thank you for your continuing support. We want your thoughts! Tell us your opinion of the newsletter by taking our survey or replying to this email.<\/p>\n

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If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.<\/p>\n

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A quirky hidden oasis for children<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Armando Roberto Perez, 70, is the caretaker for Soupy Island, a public pool and park in West Deptford. It is known for its century-old carousel, free soup, and the tall, enclosed slide guests glide down on wax paper, crashing into sand. <\/p>\n

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Perez, fondly called Mr. Soupy, has been running Soupy Island for 28 years. It\u2019s a family calling. His father-in-law was the previous caretaker and his grandfather-in-law before that.<\/p>\n

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Part of Soupy Island\u2019s appeal is that it\u2019s open only about one month a year, three days a week from July to mid-August. Admission is free. Not surprisingly, soup is on the menu.<\/p>\n

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Inquirer reporter Sarah Nicell explored Soupy Island with Perez.<\/p>\n

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Very young international athletes<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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International competition doesn\u2019t usually involve 8-year-olds, most of whom are prepping for second or third grade.<\/p>\n

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But next week, young athletes will be playing in an international youth baseball tournament in Marlton.<\/p>\n

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The field in the 2026 Cal Ripken 8U World Series will include 11 U.S. teams as well as teams from Mexico, Cura\u00e7ao, Bonaire, and Latin America.<\/p>\n

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Inquirer reporter Becca O\u2019Reilly has the details.<\/p>\n

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What to know today<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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    \n
  1. \n

    New Jersey towns and school districts owe millions of dollars to public worker health plans, New Jersey Monitor reports.<\/p>\n

    Read more Three Philly men stole government checks worth $68 million and then resold them online, feds say<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Hackers targeting water systems in Cape May and Woodbine and across the U.S. \u201cknow what they are doing,\u201d U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer says. CBS3 has further details.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    PATCO announced it is ending service early on Sunday to accommodate construction plans.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    DeFlock South Jersey is part of a growing movement that opposes Flock cameras that read license plates, CBS3 reports.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  5. \n

    Nearly 30 dead sharks washed ashore in Sea Isle City. Is that weird?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  6. \n

    The sale of beach tags rakes in millions for Jersey Shore towns. The Courier-Post has the story.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

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    \n
    \n

    Enjoyed this story?<\/p>\n

    Get more South Jersey news on your homepage with one click.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    <\/div>\n
    \n

    \ud83e\udde0Trivia time <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n

    Where is Michelin headed for its 2026 award ceremony? <\/p>\n

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    Hint: Sorry to say, but it\u2019s not near us <\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n
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    A) Chicago <\/p>\n

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    B) New York City <\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    C) Baltimore <\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    D) Los Angeles <\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    Think you know? Check your answer. <\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n
    \n

    What we\u2019re … <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n

    \ud83c\udfe0 Touring:<\/b> The Underground Railroad Museum of Burlington County. <\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    \ud83d\udecd\ufe0f Shopping for:<\/b> Unique decor at Clutter Vintage in Collingswood.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    \ud83c\udffa Exploring: <\/b>Cafes and cozy inns in Lambertville<\/b> and Stockton<\/b>. <\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n
    \n

    \ud83c\udfd6\ufe0f Down the Shore<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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    This \u201cAsk Down the Shore\u201d feature appears as part of our weekly summertime series from Shore reporter Amy S. Rosenberg. <\/i>Subscribe to her free Down the Shore newsletter here<\/i>.<\/i><\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    A reader asked what effect all the teardowns of smaller cottages were having on the Shore. We asked our Shore Line texters. Here\u2019s a sampling of the replies, lightly edited.<\/p>\n

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    \n
      \n
    1. \n

      The classic old shore homes are disappearing. It is sad. Most of the new homes look alike. We should try to protect the old charm. It can\u2019t be replicated.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    2. \n

      The shore is already overbuilt and has been for years. Adding ginormous sized houses only depletes the natural resources that make the shore unique. When my family drove to the shore when I was a kid in the \u201960s you could smell the sea air before you could see anything that looked like the shore on the Expressway. I remember that smell fondly (mostly) and miss it greatly. I can\u2019t pinpoint when it stopped. It gradually decreased in the \u201990s and now it no longer exists.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    3. \n

      It is unrealistic to expect people not to tear down older homes. Yes there will be more traffic but maybe that will be self limiting.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

      <\/div>\n

      What do you think? Do you like the look of the old homes? Do you prefer the newer houses? Is it realistic to ask homeowners to update older homes? Be part of conversation and email Rosenberg at downtheshore@inquirer.com.<\/p>\n

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      \n

      \ud83d\udcf8 Photo of the week <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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      Enjoy your weekend!<\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n

      By submitting your written, visual, and\/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer\u2019s <\/i>Terms of Use<\/i>, including the grant of rights in Section 10.<\/i><\/p>\n

      Read more The Big Picture: Golf at Merion, former stars return, and the best photos from a busy week in Philly sports<\/a><\/p>\n

      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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