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It’s hard to believe it’s already October. The year’s winding down, and we’re just a couple months away from wrapping up what has truly been an incredible start for Chambers Chatter. Since launching, y’all have shown us so much love — sharing stories, tuning in, and helping us celebrate the people who make Beaufort, Beaufort. As the live oaks turn a little darker and the marshes take on that golden fall hue, we’ve been thinking back to where it all began — that very first episode we aired back in January. The one that set the tone for everything that’s followed. The story of a woman who’s been a thread in the fabric of downtown Beaufort for more than two decades — Nan Brown Sutton, the owner of Lulu Burgess. So before the year ends, we want to go back — to that very first conversation, the one that reminded us what this show is all about: the people who have helped shape Beaufort, who’ve seen it grow, and who carry its stories in their hearts. Coming Home to Beaufort Nan’s story begins like so many Beaufort stories do — with coming home. After sixteen years in New York City, she returned in 2000 and opened Lulu Burgess, right on Bay Street. “I’ve been there 24 years now,” she said proudly. “I’ve been in retail on Bay Street for a long time.” The name Lulu Burgess came straight from her heart. “Lulu was a nickname somebody called me when I was a little girl, and Burgess was my mama’s name — it’s also my middle name. They were my two favorite names, so I just stuck them together.” From the moment the store opened, it became more than a shop — it became a place for laughter and connection. “When I opened, 9/11 happened not long after,” Nan said. “It was a dismal time, and I realized we needed laughter. So I brought humor into the store.” If you’ve ever stepped inside Lulu Burgess, you’ve felt that spirit — the mix of funny cocktail napkins, heartfelt gifts, and joy that bubbles out of the place. “The best part,” Nan said, “is seeing the serious people come in and laugh.” Growing Up in Old Beaufort Nan’s memories of Beaufort are the kind that could fill a history book, or maybe a porch conversation on a summer evening. Her grandmother once ran Sally’s Alteration Shop where Old Bull is now. As a little girl, Nan would take a few quarters to Edward’s Department Store — right where Lulu Burgess stands today — to buy candy and a cold Coca-Cola. “It was a quarter,” she said, laughing. “And I thought I was big stuff.” She remembers Belk’s, Joe Lipit’s store with the mynah bird that talked back, and Coe’s Grocery — where the Urban Market now sits — famous for its boiled peanuts and crushed ice Coca-Colas before Sunday school. She talked about Dairy Queen on Ribaut Road, the Boundary Street drive-in theater, and the sound of train whistles where the Spanish Moss Trail now runs. These weren’t just places — they were moments, snapshots of a Beaufort that still lingers in memory and in the way people greet one another downtown. Traditions That Keep Us Together Ask Nan her favorite Beaufort tradition, and she doesn’t hesitate. “A Night on the Town,” she said. “It’s such a community-driven thing. It brings everyone together.” She spoke fondly of older days, when the Water Festival had its Bandshell and the Miss Beaufort Pageant was the highlight of the summer. “My daddy, Ned Brown, used to say the Pinckney girls were the most beautiful girls in the world,” she laughed. He was Beaufort’s photographer back then — a storyteller himself, just with a camera instead of a microphone. And like all Beaufort folks, Nan misses the little things that have faded away — the grocery stores on every corner, the Jar Vista restaurant with its 1950s A-frame front, the Piggly Wiggly that once sat behind Old Bay Marketplace. “People now don’t want things to change,” she said. “But we’ve changed a lot over time. You just have to get over it.” The People and the Progress Of course, no look back at Beaufort is complete without remembering its characters. Nan’s favorite? Toti Fruiti — the man who never missed a parade. “He was the leader of every parade,” she said, “with his whistle, marching proudly down the street.” And when it comes to progress, she gives credit where it’s due. “Your grandfather, Henry Chambers, built the Waterfront Park,” she told us. “It changed everything.” Her husband once told her that it happened at just the right moment — with the right vision and timing — and it gave Beaufort something truly special. “I don’t think there’s another city on the East Coast with a downtown waterfront park on the Intracoastal Waterway,” she said. “That forever changed Beaufort.” Nan’s lived long enough to see Beaufort grow in all directions — and she still marvels at the changes. “In 2000, we didn’t have a City Hall or a Police Department like we do now,” she said. “We’ve come a long way — and it was worth every penny.” Her Journey and Her Legacy Before Lulu Burgess, Nan’s path took her far from home. After graduating from the College of Charleston, she moved to New York City to be an actress. She even worked at the United Nations as the director of catering. But life has a way of bringing you back to where you belong. When her mother fell ill with cancer, Nan came home to Beaufort. “I wanted to spend the rest of her life with her,” she said quietly. Three months later, her mother passed away. And just a month after that, Nan opened Lulu Burgess — her mother’s name shining from the storefront. “It was special,” she said softly. “It still is.” What She Hopes We Remember When asked what legacy her generation might leave behind, Nan thought for a moment. “I don’t even think of myself as a generation,” she said. “I think of your grandfather’s — Henry Chambers, my father Ned Brown. We’ll be the old people soon,” she laughed. But she does have a message for the younger ones: “Don’t forget our history. Keep it in the forefront of your mind. Watch the growth, be careful. My dad always called this paradise — and it took me sixteen years in New York to understand what he meant. It truly is paradise.” Full Circle That conversation — our first-ever episode — captured everything Chambers Chatter is meant to be. Stories of laughter and loss, of small-town memories and big changes. Of people who have shaped Beaufort, not just by what they built, but by how they’ve loved it. As we head into the final stretch of the year, we just want to say thank you — to everyone who’s listened, shared, and celebrated along with us. From that first chat with Nan Brown Sutton to every story since, y’all remind us why we started: to honor the faces — old and new — who make this Lowcountry town shine. Here’s to Beaufort. Here’s to our storytellers. And here’s to where it all began.

Fall in Beaufort is a little different than fall anywhere else. We don’t get piles of crunchy orange leaves or the kind of cold that makes you pull out a parka. What we get is better: cooler breezes off the water, oyster roasts under the stars, and days where the whole town feels like it’s slowing down just enough to enjoy the season. If you’re wondering what to do around here when the air turns crisp, let us be your guide. Here are three fall favorites that locals and visitors alike look forward to every year. 1. Wander Through the Historic District (and peek behind the gates) Ever walked past one of Beaufort’s grand old homes and wondered what it looks like inside? Well, every October, the Fall Festival of Houses & Gardens gives you the chance. Neighbors open their doors, the Historic Beaufort Foundation leads the way, and suddenly you’re standing on porches where generations of Beaufort families have rocked away the afternoons. It’s not just about architecture—it’s about stories. Each house has one. Each garden does too. And fall weather makes it perfect for strolling under the live oaks, with Spanish moss swaying overhead like a curtain on a stage. Historic Thomas-Hazel House, photo credits to Historic Beaufort Foundation 2. Spend a Day at Hunting Island Beaufort without Hunting Island? Unthinkable. And in fall, it’s at its best. The crowds thin out, the air cools down, and you can walk the beach for what feels like miles without seeing more than a handful of people. Climb the lighthouse if you’re up for the view (it’s worth every step). Pack a picnic, walk the marsh boardwalks, or just let the kids chase crabs across the sand. Fall sunlight on the water has a softer glow, and you’ll understand why locals never get tired of this place. Photo Credits to beaufortsc.org 3. Celebrate at Penn Center’s Heritage Days If you want to experience Beaufort’s soul, head to St. Helena Island in November for Penn Center’s Heritage Days. It’s not just a festival—it’s a celebration of Gullah/Geechee culture with food, music, storytelling, and history woven together. There’s drumming and dancing, sweetgrass baskets and fresh seafood, elders telling stories and children learning them. It’s a weekend that connects past and present in a way only the Sea Islands can. Photo Credits to: southcarolinalowcountry.com Bonus: Fall Nights Are Made for Ghost Tours When the sun goes down and the air gets cooler, Beaufort’s historic streets turn into the perfect backdrop for a ghost story. Whether you believe in hauntings or not, the guides will keep you entertained with tales of pirates, Civil War soldiers, and restless spirits that (supposedly) still wander the town. It’s spooky, it’s fun, and it’s a Beaufort fall tradition. Photo Credits to: beaufortsc.org Fall in Beaufort isn’t about pumpkin spice and big-city festivals—it’s about porches, oyster shells cracking underfoot, history you can touch, and a community that knows how to celebrate the season in its own way. So grab a sweater (lightweight, because this is still the Lowcountry after all) and dive in. Beaufort has plenty of stories waiting for you this fall—you just have to step outside and catch them.

1. Roots Anchor Us “My mother’s family’s been here for a number of generations,” Mike recalled. Even though his father’s career as a naval doctor meant moving often, Beaufort always called him back. “We grew up back and forth from Beaufort when I was in elementary school and junior high school.” Summers at Hunting Island and time spent with grandparents gave him a sense of belonging that stayed, no matter where the family lived. Beaufort wasn’t just a backdrop — it became the thread tying his story together. It reminds us that home is not just where we are, but where our values are anchored. Even when life pulls us elsewhere, those connections to place can shape our identity and give us the foundation to serve others. 2. Service Is a Way of Life Some lessons never fade. For Mike, it was his parents’ reminder that service mattered. “My parents always impressed upon us that it was important to give back.” That simple idea shaped a lifetime of action. He described his path through the church, American Red Cross, Alzheimer’s Family Services, and the Chamber of Commerce. “I was president for two terms for the chamber,” he remembered, before adding, “Still always had a willingness and a desire to have roots and involvement in the community, so that’s always been part of what I do, and I still do it.” His story shows that service is not an occasional choice — it’s a way of being. It’s not about checking off boxes or holding titles, but about a consistent willingness to step in, stay involved, and strengthen the fabric of the community. 3. Leadership Is Showing Up With roots and values set firmly in place, the move into public service was a natural step. Since 2008, Mike has been serving Beaufort through City Council, including time as Mayor Pro Tem. Alongside the responsibilities, he’s supported projects that shaped the city’s future and celebrated its cultural heart through the performing arts. “I’ve always been involved… and that’s always been part of what I do, and I still do it,” he said. True leadership, as his journey reveals, grows from listening and being present. Mike’s path shows how one person’s commitment, guided by values learned at home, can ripple outward to affect generations. Service isn’t about spotlight moments — it’s about showing up consistently, through challenges and change. -------------------------- Mike’s story is more than a timeline of events; it is a reflection of how family and place shape who we become. It teaches us that roots matter, values endure, and service sustains. His journey inspires us to ask ourselves: what values have we inherited, how do we live them out, and how will we give back to the communities that raised us? In the end, what we learn from Mike is simple but powerful: a strong sense of home, the call to give back, and the courage to show up can shape not just a life, but an entire community.

About Chambers Chatter Where Every Story Finds a Porch Some stories are too good to stay tucked away. In Beaufort, South Carolina, history lingers in the salt air, in the creak of porch swings, and in the voices of the people who’ve walked these streets for generations. We’re Laura and Shae—two sisters with a whole lot of love for Beaufort and the South. We grew up knowing that stories weren’t just told here, they were lived —in Sunday suppers, in quiet walks down mossy streets, and in conversations that carried wisdom from one generation to the next. That’s why we created Chambers Chatter : a Southern storytelling series that feels like sitting on a front porch with friends, where the tea is sweet, the conversation is real, and every voice matters. Our Purpose: Keeping the Porch Light On ✨ Chambers Chatter isn’t just content—it’s a living diary of Beaufort. Through heartfelt interviews, nostalgic reflections, and community highlights, we preserve the voices that shaped the Lowcountry and celebrate the ones shaping it now. We believe: Every story deserves to be told. Every generation deserves to remember. Every porch holds a piece of the South’s soul. What You’ll Find on Our Porch 🌿 Pull up a chair, pour a glass of sweet tea, and stay awhile. We’ve made this porch to feel like home. Every story we share is a little piece of Beaufort, kept alive and passed along. Sometimes it’s long conversations with locals, the kind that make you laugh, cry, and remember why home feels so special. You’ll find those full talks on our YouTube Channel , with little snippets of wisdom and joy sprinkled on our accounts on Facebook and Instagram . Other times, it’s looking back and looking forward — Beaufort’s history right alongside the way it’s growing today. Old photos, new faces, quick reels that show how the past and present meet on these streets. We also love catching the everyday magic — a festival, a neighbor’s wave, a quick porch chat that reminds you this town really is family. And for those just finding Beaufort, we’ve got guides and glimpses: the best spot for a sunset picnic, art strolls on a Saturday, shrimp on your plate with the tide rolling in. Of course, we couldn’t forget the people who make this place shine. Local shops, artists, teachers, and hometown heroes — the voices that give Beaufort its heartbeat. Every piece, every memory, every chat is part of the bigger story. And on this porch, there’s always room for you. Who We Speak To 💙 This porch is really for anyone who loves Beaufort, in their own way. It ’s for the folks who’ve been here all their lives — the ones who carry family stories in their back pockets and can still point out where every memory happened. It’s for the newer faces, too — people just finding their place here, falling in love with the moss-draped oaks, the tides, and the way neighbors still wave from their porches. It’s also for those who may have left but never really let go. The ones who carry Beaufort in their hearts no matter where they live now, chasing a little piece of Southern nostalgia every time they hear cicadas sing. And of course, it’s for the dreamers and doers — the shop owners, the artists, the teachers, the helpers — the people who make Beaufort feel alive every single day. Whoever you are, if Beaufort feels like home — or even just like a place you want to know better — there’s a spot waiting for you here with us. Why We Do This 🌸 For us, this isn’t just a project. It’s a passion. Chambers Chatter is our way of honoring Beaufort’s past, celebrating its people, and keeping a light burning for the next generation of storytellers. Because stories don’t just tell us where we’ve been—they remind us who we are. And here in Beaufort, every story finds a porch. 💙

There was a time in Beaufort County when rows of vegetables, not rows of tourists, were what kept the community thriving. Long before the waterfront filled with shops and restaurants, the land was dotted with farms that grew crops for people hundreds of miles away. This was the era of truck farming  — a way of life that shaped Beaufort for nearly a century. What “truck farming” meant here In Beaufort, truck farming wasn’t about pickup trucks. “Truck” was the old word for fresh produce. Families planted vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and cabbage, harvested them in the morning, packed them in wooden crates, iced them down, and sent them north by train or, later, by big refrigerated trucks. Feeding the East Coast From as early as the late 1800s, Beaufort’s fields were busy almost year-round. Farms in places like Seabrook, St. Helena Island, and the Sea Islands produced vegetables that ended up on dinner tables in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, New York, and even Boston. If you were eating a fresh tomato up north in springtime, there was a good chance it came from here. The railroad made it possible. Special lines and sidings were built near the farms so that crates could be loaded quickly. Icehouses stored massive blocks of ice to keep the vegetables fresh on their trip. It was a well-organized system that Beaufort families depended on — and took great pride in. Work, community, and the land Truck farming was more than just business — it was the heartbeat of rural Beaufort. It provided steady work in the fields, packing sheds, and canning plants. Stores, post offices, and even whole neighborhoods grew up around the farms. Places like the McLeod Farmstead in Seabrook and the Corner Packing Shed on St. Helena Island were not just buildings; they were community gathering spots. Why Truck Farming Faded—but Didn’t Disappear By the 1980s, small family farms faced rising costs, competition from larger farms in other states, and a decline in rail support. At the same time, Beaufort County began to shift toward tourism and development, and many fields were transformed into neighborhoods or pine forests. Still, the legacy lives on in structures like the Seacoast Packing Company —also known as the “Pickle Factory”—which once canned and packed tomatoes here in the city. Why It Matters Then and Now Then: Truck farming powered Beaufort’s economy, provided jobs, and shaped rural community life.Now : Those same structures anchor local heritage, and remind both longtime residents and newcomers of the hard work and ingenuity that laid today’s foundation. Reflecting on Our Roots Truck farming may be less common today, but its echoes remain in Beaufort’s character. It shaped families, neighborhoods, and our regional identity. Sharing this history helps newer generations understand just how deeply connected this land—and its people—really are. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Bishop Later, from her family’s collection featured in A Place Called Home — learn more at https://www.bishopsbest.com