Chambers Chatter Ep. 23: Factory Creek Stories, Water Festival, and Old Beaufort Life

Welcome to Chambers Chatter Episode 23

Introduction of Guests

• Laura Chambers-Babelus and Shay Chambers-Helms introduce Charles and Leith Webb, highlighting their multi-generational ties to Beaufort.

• The hosts express excitement about the guests' stories and invite them to share their experiences.

Growing Up in Beaufort

• Charles and Leith discuss their lifelong residency in Beaufort, specifically on Factory Creek, where they spent much of their childhood.

• They recount starting work at a young age; Charles shares a story about getting hired illegally at 13 years old in a packing shed.

Early Work Experiences

• Leith mentions working briefly at a packing shed before transitioning to shrimping after being fired for being too young.

• They describe the local economy during their youth, which revolved around military bases, civil service jobs, farming, and fishing rather than tourism or real estate.

Changes Over Time

• Charles reflects on how the community has changed since his high school days when most classmates were children of farmers.

• He shares personal anecdotes about living on a boat called Glendoray at age 14 while working in seafood.

Family Dynamics and Community Ties

• The guests discuss family dynamics; Leith was the youngest child whose parents were more permissive with him compared to older siblings.

• They reminisce about growing up with familiar families in Beaufort, emphasizing strong community bonds through shared experiences like weddings and funerals.

Local Events and Memories

• The conversation shifts to local events such as water festivals where shrimp boats would gather; they reflect on how these events have changed over time.

• A humorous anecdote is shared involving an encounter with law enforcement during one festival that highlights youthful mischief.

Legal Troubles and Court Experience

• Leith narrates an incident where he faced legal trouble for not stopping for police while boating during the festival.

• He humorously recalls his court experience where he mistakenly pleaded not guilty to public drunkenness but was ultimately let go by the judge.

A Memorable Encounter with the Law

An Unexpected Confrontation

• The speaker recounts a moment of panic when confronted by a policeman named Days, who had worked in law enforcement for years.

• The officer questioned the speaker about his awareness of an incident, leading to a guilty plea and a $100 fine, which was surprisingly lenient given the circumstances.

Reflections on Youth and Relationships

• The speaker reminisces about his youth, particularly regarding courtship with Martha Lynn, highlighting cultural norms around marriage.

• A humorous anecdote is shared about delivering a gander goose to Johnny Jones's house, showcasing youthful mischief and local community interactions.

Adventures on Factory Creek

Early Life Memories

• The speaker reflects on his long-lasting marriage of 50 years and connections made during childhood, including friendships that began in first grade.

• He describes adventures with friends at the Yacht and Sailing Club and their creative endeavors like building makeshift boats from tin.

Navigating Challenges

• The narrative continues with tales of navigating waters in their rowboat equipped with a motor, emphasizing the freedom it provided despite numerous mishaps.

• Experiences are recounted involving campouts and hunting trips that contributed to their adventurous upbringing.

Nostalgic Cinema Experiences

Local Entertainment Culture

• The speaker shares memories of attending movies at Breeze Theater as a child, where they watched Tarzan films repeatedly.

• Descriptions include quirky details about the theater's projector system and how it would malfunction during screenings, adding charm to those experiences.

Community Engagement

• Reflecting on community life during childhood reveals insights into social activities such as running crab traps for local businesses and enjoying simple pleasures like candy at the concession stand.

Experiences in Segregated Movie Theaters

Memories of Movie Going

• The speaker recalls the experience of watching movies in segregated theaters, where there were separate entrances for black and white patrons.

• Underneath the balcony where black patrons sat, there were rows that remained empty due to disruptive behavior from others, including spitting and throwing objects.

• A specific incident is mentioned involving a movie outing where the speaker was frequently kicked out for throwing candy (raisin' nets).

School Experiences and Cultural Integration

• The speaker reflects on attending a private school after public school, managing relationships with friends from both schools during a viewing of "The Godfather."

• There’s an emphasis on the challenges of cultural integration during desegregation, highlighting how different backgrounds were brought together in schools.

Family Values and Education

• The speaker shares lessons learned from their parents about respect towards all individuals regardless of race or background.

• Mention is made of a family member who established a school that initially catered primarily to white students but has since diversified.

Reflections on Local Infrastructure

Historical Bridge Description

• Discussion includes memories of an old wooden bridge built by Henry Chambers, which had structural issues when used by heavy concrete trucks.

• The bridge's design included wooden railings and was only wide enough for two cars; it posed safety concerns due to its construction materials.

River Traffic and Fishing Adventures

• Insights into river traffic are shared, noting that fuel barges were common while recreational boating was rare during that time period.

• Anecdotes about fishing under the bridge highlight childhood adventures, including catching sharks and other fish.

Scuba Diving Experiences

Underwater Exploration Challenges

• The speaker recounts scuba diving experiences at age 15, describing it as akin to swimming in darkness with limited visibility.

• Technical difficulties arose when maintenance work disrupted phone lines running across the river due to barge activity.

Reflections on Past Experiences and Community Life

Early Work and Challenges

• The speaker recalls being offered $300 for a job, which felt like a significant amount at the time.

• They were likely hired by a phone company to repair cables that kept getting damaged, requiring them to dive into the river to fix issues.

• The speaker mentions challenges with state barges damaging phone lines, highlighting the lack of public water access in their area during that period.

Family Memories and Childhood Adventures

• A fond memory is shared about "Carrie Lee," a beloved figure who played an important role in their upbringing, described as "400 pounds of pure love."

• An amusing incident involving sleepwalking is recounted where the speaker's brother accidentally peed on cards while Carrie Lee laughed.

• The speaker reminisces about boating adventures with friends, including an encounter with an old lady in distress in the water.

Fun and Games with Carrie Lee

• Carrie Lee engaged children in playful activities like all-star wrestling, creating memorable experiences filled with laughter.

• The speaker describes how Carrie would enforce rules during games using humor and authority, showcasing her nurturing yet firm nature.

Social Gatherings and Community Dynamics

• Carrie Lee was known for attending school dances under the guise of washing glasses but often joined in on the fun herself.

• Her ability to dance well became legendary within their community; she was remembered for her lively spirit at social events.

Insights into Family Background and Local Culture

• The speaker shares details about their father's career as a civil engineer at Parris Island and his observations about people moving south after retirement.

• Anecdotes are shared about hunting squirrels as a child, reflecting on simpler times when such activities were common without concern from authorities.

Trading Practices and Local Stores

• The practice of collecting glass Coca-Cola bottles for cash to buy shotgun shells illustrates resourcefulness among local youth.

• A humorous interaction at Grunch's store highlights local culture; despite being perceived as mean, he provided essential goods to the community.

Childhood Memories and Local Culture

Nostalgic Experiences with Local Stores

• Charles would intentionally make a scene at the local store by counting out a dollar's worth of penny candy, showcasing childhood antics and community dynamics.

• A memory is shared about receiving a $20 bill from his mother to buy candy, emphasizing the significance of small purchases in childhood.

• The narrator recalls how his mother instructed him to clarify the amount when handing over money, highlighting lessons in communication and awareness.

• The mention of two stores on Ladies Island reflects on limited shopping options during childhood and the fondness for those establishments.

Family Vacations and Travel Anecdotes

• Childhood vacations were rare, with trips to St. Augustine being significant; this illustrates the simplicity of past family outings.

• The narrator humorously recounts riding on top of suitcases during long car rides, capturing the essence of family travel experiences.

Community Interactions and Cultural Insights

• A vivid description of grocery shopping at an A&P store reveals how different it was compared to modern conveniences, emphasizing nostalgia for simpler times.

• The story introduces "Snake Eyes," a friend from his father's youth who represents cultural heritage through Gullah language and traditions.

Language and Cultural Evolution

• The narrator discusses acting as a translator for newcomers unfamiliar with local dialects, indicating shifts in language use over time.

• Reflections on understanding unique speech patterns among friends highlight cultural nuances that have faded over generations.

Education and Learning Approaches

• An anecdote about teaching methods showcases challenges faced in education due to differing backgrounds among students.

• The narrator’s mother adapted her teaching style to connect with students' experiences, demonstrating innovative educational practices.

Community Bonds and Nicknames

• Discussion about neighborhood reunions emphasizes strong community ties formed through shared history and experiences growing up together.

• Everyone having nicknames reflects cultural identity within the community; personal anecdotes reveal how these names are formed organically.

Football Initiation and Nicknames

Childhood Experiences with Football

• The speaker reflects on their childhood nickname "Tony," given by Pooch after a significant event, highlighting the importance of nicknames in forming identity.

• A vivid description of an initiation ritual called the "meat line" where young kids had to endure physical challenges to earn the right to play football, emphasizing resilience and camaraderie among peers.

• The structure of youth football teams is explained: younger players were part of the Bubbles team, while older players transitioned to the Ripples, illustrating a community hierarchy in sports.

• An anecdote about a high school player who faced similar initiation challenges, reinforcing that these experiences were common and often humorous within their community.

• Mention of Mr. Swartz's hardware store which served as a resource for local sports equipment, indicating how community support played a role in youth sports participation.

Community Sports Culture

• The speaker recalls various local teams like Pigeon Point and Crutter, showcasing the competitive spirit and social interactions within their neighborhood during games.

• A reflection on personal connections formed through shared experiences in sports; even years later, names from childhood still resonate with fondness and nostalgia.

• The speaker shares a memorable job experience involving building artificial fishing reefs while attending college, highlighting adventurous moments spent fishing with friends.