Chambers Chatter Ep 23

Welcome to Episode 23 of Chambers Chatter

Introduction of Guests

• Laura Chambers Babalist and Shay Chambers Helms introduce Charles and Leth Webb, multigenerational Buford residents with interesting stories.

• The guests are encouraged to share their experiences growing up in Buford.

Early Life and Work Experiences

• Charles shares that he got his first job at age 13, working illegally at a packing shed due to age restrictions.

• Lee recounts getting fired from a packing shed for being too young but quickly transitioned to shrimping as an alternative livelihood.

• They discuss the local economy during their youth, highlighting military bases, civil service jobs, farming, and fishing as primary sources of income.

Community and Family Connections

• Charles reflects on the tight-knit community where families had longstanding connections; most classmates' fathers were farmers.

• Lee mentions how little commerce existed back then compared to today’s standards, emphasizing the simplicity of life in Buford.

Adventures on the Water

• At 14, Charles lived on a boat called Glender Ray during summer; he describes the lack of traffic allowing for carefree living.

• Lee humorously notes that their parents supported their shrimping endeavors despite concerns about safety and legality.

Local Events and Traditions

• The guests reminisce about community events like funerals and weddings where everyone knew each other well.

• They discuss how local festivals have changed over time, particularly mentioning the water festival's decline in spirit.

Memorable Stories from Youth

• A humorous anecdote is shared about trying to keep people off their shrimp boats during festivals while dealing with rowdy crowds.

• An incident involving law enforcement is recounted where they narrowly avoided arrest after a boating escapade.

This structured summary captures key moments from the transcript while providing timestamps for easy reference.

A Glimpse into Personal Stories and Memories

Encounter with Authority

• The speaker recounts a tense moment involving a policeman named Days, who had previously worked for them. The policeman orders the speaker to stay put after an incident.

• The speaker admits to not witnessing the event that led to the confrontation, leading to some name-calling from the officer before being called back inside.

• After pleading guilty in front of Mr. Pessie, the speaker is fined $100 and told to leave.

Reflections on Youth and Relationships

• The narrative shifts to memories of courting Marthin, who was a grade below the speaker. They discuss their neighbors, particularly focusing on a mean gander goose that would attack.

• A humorous anecdote unfolds where Neilie Amar asks for help delivering a gander goose to Johnny Jones, prompting the speaker to ask Marthin's father if she can accompany him.

Mischief and Consequences

• The speaker recalls sneaking out with Marthin while her parents were asleep, only to create chaos by placing the goose between them upon returning home.

• This incident solidified trust between Marthin's father and the speaker as they navigated youthful mischief together.

Long-lasting Relationships

• The speaker reflects on his 50-year marriage with Cindy, highlighting their long history since childhood when they first met in school.

• He shares fond memories of spending time with Cindy’s brother Steve Dempsey (nicknamed Jelly Brain), emphasizing their close-knit friendship during youth.

Adventures on Water

• Recollections include building makeshift boats from bamboo and exploring local waters as children. They often faced challenges but enjoyed many adventures together.

• A Christmas gift of a rowboat equipped with a motor allowed for numerous escapades around town despite its frequent sinking incidents.

Community Engagement and Early Work Experiences

• As teenagers, they engaged in various activities like running crab traps for Blue Channel Crab Company, earning just enough money for outings at local theaters.

• Nostalgic stories about community events such as water festivals are shared alongside humorous mishaps related to boating experiences.

Nostalgic Movie Experiences and Social Dynamics

Childhood Memories of the Cinema

• The speaker reminisces about watching the same Tarzan movie every Saturday, noting that technical issues would cause the film to melt on the screen.

• The cinema had a unique seating arrangement with "lover seats," where couples would sit, leading to playful disruptions from children throwing Raisinets at them.

• Segregation was prevalent during this time; black patrons had a separate entrance and faced disrespectful behavior from some white attendees in the balcony area.

Mischief and Memories

• The speaker recalls being frequently kicked out of the theater for throwing candy, highlighting a mischievous childhood filled with antics.

• A story is shared about attending "The Godfather" while juggling relationships between two girlfriends, illustrating youthful distractions during significant events.

Cultural Changes and Personal Values

• Discussion shifts to school desegregation experiences, emphasizing how different cultures were brought together and learned to coexist peacefully.

• The speaker's father instilled values of respect towards all individuals regardless of race, showcasing personal upbringing amidst societal changes.

Infrastructure and Community Life

• A description of an old wooden bridge built by Henry Chambers is provided, detailing its construction challenges and community significance.

• The bridge's operational quirks are recounted, including how townspeople would assist in opening it when mechanical failures occurred.

Fishing Adventures

• Recollections include fishing under the new bridge with friends, indicating a carefree youth spent outdoors engaging in recreational activities.

• Shark fishing adventures are mentioned as part of their escapades, reflecting both excitement and caution regarding encounters with marine life.

Scuba Diving Adventures and Childhood Memories

Scuba Diving Experience

• The speaker recalls a scuba diving experience under a bridge, describing it as akin to "swimming in the dark" and encountering obstacles frequently.

• They were offered $300 for the job, which was considered a significant amount at the time, highlighting their youthful enthusiasm for adventure.

• The task involved marking a phone line that kept getting damaged by state barges; they would swim through murky water until locating the cable.

• A humorous incident occurred when a shrimp boat ran over markers tied to Clorox jugs meant to signal the cable's location.

Nostalgic Reflections on Carrie Lee

• The speaker reminisces about Carrie Lee, who played an influential role in their upbringing, affectionately described as "400 lb of pure love."

• Carrie Lee had a playful side, engaging children in games like hide and seek while also maintaining discipline when necessary.

• A funny anecdote is shared about the speaker's brother sleepwalking and accidentally peeing on cards during a family gathering with Carrie Lee present.

Memorable Boat Ride Incident

• During a boat ride with friends, they encountered an old lady floating in the water, leading to panic among them as they tried to escape without being noticed.

• The police station's proximity added tension to the situation as they hurriedly left the scene after witnessing what could have been an emergency.

Family Dynamics and Fun Times

• Carrie Lee organized wrestling matches among siblings using slingshot underwear, showcasing her unique approach to childcare and entertainment.

• An amusing moment arises when both Carrie Lee and the speaker sneak drinks from whiskey while trying to avoid detection from parents.

Community Changes Over Time

• The speaker reflects on changes in society, mentioning how people from northern states began moving south with money rather than guns.

• They share memories of hunting quail around Lady Island and interactions with local law enforcement that highlight different societal norms compared to today.

Childhood Memories and Local Stores

Trading and Bartering Experiences

• The speaker recounts trading Coke bottles for shotgun shells at Mr. Yman's store, highlighting a childhood practice of bartering.

• A humorous anecdote about the speaker's experience with Grunch's store, where he describes the owner's gruff demeanor and interactions over penny candy.

• The speaker recalls how friends would intentionally annoy Grunch by making him count out candy, showcasing playful childhood mischief.

Family Interactions and Community Dynamics

• An incident involving the speaker’s mother giving him a $20 bill to buy ice cream from Grunch's store, emphasizing parental guidance in financial transactions.

• The speaker shares a memory of his mother confronting Grunch after he reacted negatively to her son's careful handling of money.

Nostalgia for Local Culture

• Discussion on the limited number of stores on Ladies Island during their youth, reflecting on simpler times and local community life.

• The speaker reminisces about family vacations to St. Augustine, illustrating a sense of adventure despite geographical limitations.

Grocery Shopping in the Past

Unique Shopping Experiences

• Description of shopping at a local grocery store where customers would order items directly from clerks rather than using self-service systems.

• A vivid memory of an employee known for her distinctive appearance, showing how personal connections made shopping memorable.

Cultural Reflections

• Mention of "Snake Eyes," a friend from the past who represented cultural diversity within their community.

• Anecdotes about language barriers faced when interacting with people unfamiliar with local dialect or culture.

Changes in Community and Language

Evolving Cultural Landscape

• Reflection on how traditional Gullah culture is fading away, indicating changes in community dynamics over time.

• Discussion about friendships formed across racial lines during childhood, contrasting past harmony with present societal issues.

Education Insights

• The speaker shares experiences related to their mother's teaching methods in public school that adapted to students' unique learning styles.

• A story illustrating how students connected everyday concepts (like rice and peas being interchangeable), demonstrating cultural logic that differed from standard educational approaches.

Neighborhood Memories and Nicknames

Reflections on Education and Community

• The speaker reflects on the lack of education in their earlier years, contrasting it with the present situation. They express a sense of nostalgia for their childhood neighborhood, describing it as a wonderful place to grow up.

Neighborhood Reunion

• A recent neighborhood reunion is mentioned, highlighting community ties and friendships formed over the years. The speaker discusses interactions with friends from the past, emphasizing camaraderie among local residents.

The Significance of Nicknames

• The conversation shifts to the tradition of nicknames within the community. It’s noted that everyone had a nickname, which fostered a sense of belonging and identity among peers.

• One participant shares their nickname "Wedge head," explaining how it originated from physical appearance and became an enduring label among friends.

Childhood Football Initiation

• An initiation ritual for playing football as children is described: younger kids had to endure playful bullying before being allowed to join games. This practice was seen as a rite of passage into sports activities in their neighborhood.

• Two teams were established for play: "Bubbles" for younger players and "Ripples" for older ones, reflecting a structured approach to youth sports in the area.

Humorous Anecdotes from Youth

• A humorous story is shared about an unliked high school player who faced similar initiation challenges as younger kids, illustrating community dynamics through light-hearted teasing. He ended up going home in a refrigerator box after losing his clothes during playtime antics.

• The local hardware store owned by Mr. Schwartz served as a hub for sports equipment access before 6 PM, showcasing resourcefulness among children who wanted to engage in outdoor activities despite restrictions later in the day due to adult gatherings.

Camping Adventures

Camping Traditions

• The group reminisces about camping trips taken during sixth grade at Goat Island, where they would bring along sleeping bags and alcohol pilfered from home, indicating youthful rebellion and adventure-seeking behavior typical of adolescence.

Group Dynamics During Camping Trips

• Regular camping trips involved planning ahead for liquor purchases facilitated by older siblings; this highlights both resourcefulness and risk-taking behaviors common among teenagers at that time.

Experiences with Alcohol Consumption

• Participants share experiences related to drinking alcohol during these outings—often leading to humorous mishaps like vomiting—which underscores both the recklessness of youth and bonding moments shared amongst friends during these formative experiences.

Financial Aspects of Youth Activities

• Discussion touches on how they funded their activities through small jobs like running crab traps or cutting lawns; this illustrates early responsibility while also hinting at economic conditions that shaped their upbringing.

Overall, these notes encapsulate nostalgic reflections on childhood experiences within a close-knit community characterized by humor, camaraderie, traditions like nicknaming, playful initiations into sports culture, and adventurous camping escapades marked by youthful indiscretions.

The History of Stumphole Whiskey and Fishing Reefs

The Culture of Stills and Stumphole Whiskey

• Discussion about the prevalence of stills on St. Helena, indicating a rich history of local distillation practices.

• Mention of "Stumphole whiskey," which was possibly made using radiators, raising concerns about its safety and potential toxicity.

• Acknowledgment that some homemade spirits might have been harmful, reflecting on the risks associated with illicit alcohol production.

Personal Anecdotes from College Days

• The speaker shares a personal story about building artificial fishing reefs while in college, highlighting a unique job experience.

• Reference to having a charge account at the Frip Island store for daily beer purchases, illustrating a carefree lifestyle during that time.

• Mention of scuba diving adventures with sharks as part of the job, emphasizing both excitement and danger in their activities.