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When this photograph was taken — 1922 — Rose Bussiere Peters was 18 years old, already with a world of experience in cookhouse work. Here she wears her chefs outfit at Camp 18 on Simpson Creek above Korbel.

“While I was waiting on tables at Camp 18, Joe Filgas said he needed a second cook. He asked me to try out for it, saying he would teach me - what a good teacher he was.”

“After I was there for almost a year the Bullcook, as he was called, said they needed a second cook at Korbel Cookhouse. There, I worked under Jack Gray, a wonderful cook from the Southern States.”

“That was a large cookhouse. It had a transient dining room for those going and coming from the mountain country and Trinity County. You could get a wonderful meal — all you could eat for $1 — served family style. Try and find that now!”

Rose Bussiere was born in late May of 1903 in the Scottsville area around Blue Lake. Her father was a donkey runner for the Northern Redwood Lumber Company at Camp 11 on the Mad River. It seemed natural to Rose that, at the age of sixteen, she too go to work for the Northern Redwood Lumber Company at Korbel.

With so many men occupied by the war efforts overseas in 1918, women were much needed in traditional men’s jobs. Rose first worked in the planing mill and later making shingles and shakes and was the last woman to leave the mill before being transferred to the cookhouse a year later.

The Northern Redwood Lumber Company was a prestigious and wealthy company at that time. After taking over the milling operations of the Bohemian Korbel brothers in 1913, they went on to transform a small company town into a larger community complete with resort hotel, company store, recreation hall, cookhouse, blacksmith shop and railroad depot. The company owned 35,000 acres of timber, eight miles of logging road, the Arcata and Mad River Railroad and the Nelson Steamship Company. The company kept an extensive dairy farm and cattle ranch, slaughterhouse, chicken and pigeon ranch, orchards and a large garden area for fresh vegetables. All this was necessary to feed the almost seven hundred men employed by the Northern Redwood Lumber Company.

Those rugged men turned out 50,000,000 feet annually of redwood and fir lumber from the one “1-band” and one “2-band” mills and the planing mill at Korbel. They manufactured silo and tank stock and pipe staves, lath, shingles, shakes and casket stock.’

The Korbel cookhouse was a large two-story building with rooms for the waitresses and cooks on the top floor and the kitchen and dining room below. Attached to the shady northside of the cookhouse was the meathouse, screened on three sides to keep the meat cool.

The Czechoslovakian head cook, Joe Filgas, Sr., conducted the cookhouse in an orderly manner according to his daily schedule. He insisted that the cookhouse be immaculate and Rose began her working day by mopping the dining room floors. The long tables then had to be set with plate down, saucer up and handle-less cup down, plus silverware and napkins.

The salt and pepper shakers, sugar dispenser, cream pitcher and catsup bottle had to be cleaned and filled every morning. Each group of condiments was referred to as a “round” and was shared between six men with six to eight “rounds” per table.

Each meal found Rose and the other waitresses serving 75 to 85 hungry men, plus any number of mountain travelers passing through. Every man had his place in the dining room and, in order to avoid fights. Rose often asked the mountain travelers to wait until the men were all seated before picking a vacant place.

Young Rose found the work of waitress hard. The thick, white dishes were heavy and the pace of the cookhouse was fast. The pay as a waitress was $45 per month plus room and board.

The second cook under Joe Filgas was his son, John. When John went on to be head cook at another camp up the river. Rose took his place as second cook. The starting pay was $75 per month.

The kitchen of the Korbel cookhouse was kept immaculate. There v/ere five ovens with one big firebox to tend. The ovens had an iron top for the range. The tops were cleaned with a burlap-covered brick which left no odors or grease. There was a long dish-out table covered with zinc to retain the heathttps://lostcoastoutpost.com/2025/nov/22/humboldt-history-every-day-feast-or-inside-kitchen/ where the waitresses picked up the filled platters and bowls of steaming food.

The food for the Korbel cookhouse came mainly from the Northern Redwood Lumber Company’s own ranch. There was always ample beef, occasionally ham or chicken, plenty of fresh fruit from the orchards, fresh vegetables in season and plenty of milk from the company’s Norton Ranch. The other food and ingredients were bought and kept in the cookhouse storeroom. There were wooden barrels of maple syrup, sacks of flour, sugar, rice, coffee, beans and salt, and boxes of macaroni and tea.

As second cook. Rose Bussiere began her working day in the kitchen at 4:00 a.m. The flour sack apron went on first thing. Before making breakfast, the day’s desserts were made. Cookies, pies and cakes were rotated throughout the week. Lunch, or dinner, as it was called in those days, for the choppers also had to be prepared before breakfast. These men worked too far out in the woods to come to the cookhouse for the noon meal. Their lunchboxes were fashioned from square five gallon oil cans with the tops cut off.

Breakfast consisted of rolled oats; pancakes made from starter of the previous day; bacon and either boiled or fried eggs; beef steak, fried potatoes and hot biscuits and fruit. The meal gong rang at 6:00 a.m. for the men in their cabins and at 7:00 a.m. the last gong rang for breakfast.

Dinner was at noon sharp and the 75 to 85 hungry men lined up outside the cookhouse doors and waited to eat roast meat of some kind, or boiled ham, baked or mashed potatoes, some kind of dried beans, a vegetable, either pie or pudding and hot doughnuts, if it was doughnut day.

Filling those hungry bodies at suppertime was sliced roast, stew, macaroni or rice, potatoes, fruit, fresh bread and dessert.

Behind the taste of all this delicious food was a lot of hard work. Rose rushed around during her working hours under the strict orders of Joe Filgas. She can remember sitting for two hours or more peeling one hundred pounds of potatoes and chopping twenty- five pounds of onions. Joe Filgas, with his sharp eagle eyes, was sure to criticize if the potato peelings were anything other than peelings. On bread baking day. Rose watched the five ovens after supper until 10:00 p.m.

As second cook, she was in charge of making doughnuts. The raised doughnuts were slid into a big vat of grease and Rose turned them with two long wooden sticks to keep from being splattered. After cooking, the doughnuts were coated with sugar. Rose turned out about nine dozen doughnuts four times a week.

The task of making three meals a day, seven days a week was a big one. Sometimes it seemed to Rose that all she did was stand in front of the ovens stirring for hours on end. Other times it would be shelling peas or kneading dough.

Life at the Korbel cookhouse was not all work, though. On the first full moon of June the seasonal Saturday night dances began at Camp Bauer. The dance platform was always crowded with couples , while the band played lively tunes continuously from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Rose rarely missed these dances and never lacked a dancing partner. Summer and fall Sundays at Korbel were genuine “days of rest.”

During many afternoon breaks and evening strolls. Rose taught English to her Finnish friend, Hilma Erickson. Hilma was a waitress at the cookhouse and the two young women had many a giggly time at these English lessons.

The work in the Korbel cookhouse proved too much for Rose Bussiere, a small and thin woman, and in early 1922 she moved to Eureka and took a job there. She had met Martin Peters at Korbel and they were married in 1922 after she had quit working at the cookhouse. Mrs. Peters now resides in Arcata and looks back upon those cookhouse years with fond memories. When reminiscing of those days. Rose recalls most vividly that, “everybody was happy and those were good times.”

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Lillian Rose Gupton, 31, passed away on Monday, November 10, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Lizzie Gupton; her grandparents, Jim and Judi Gupton; her uncle and godfather, James Pierce; and her beloved canine companion, Max.

Lillian is survived by her father and stepmother, Jeff and Susany Gupton; her mother, Rebecca Granados; her sister, Ashley Arnett; her brother, Stephen Gupton; her grandparents, Al and Jackie Granados; her aunt and uncle, Laura and Ryan Keenados; her aunt and uncle, Annamarie Gupton and David Breton; her nieces, Kathryn, Tehya, Ellie, and Lexi Arnett; her close friend, Will Hagedorn; her cherished dogs, Roxy and Goofy; and many friends she considered chosen family.

Born with a compassionate heart, Lillian studied psychology at College of the Redwoods with hopes of building a career dedicated to helping others. She was deeply passionate about animal welfare and took great pride in being a devoted dog mom. She especially loved being an auntie and treasured every moment with her nieces.

A memorial service will be planned at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lillian’s memory to Miranda’s Animal Rescue in Fortuna, CA, at www.mirandasrescue.org.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Lillian Gupton’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.

David Robert Fontaine, age 63, passed away on November 20, 2025 in Rio Dell with his with his family by his side. InDunlap’s his youth David ran away from Los Angeles to Humboldt county and joined the CCC. He is a proud Humboldt County resident for the past 40 years. David was the son of James and Irene Fontaine, who preceded him in passing. His father James was a Harley-Davidson flat track champion and the legacy ran deeply through David’s blood. From a young age he inherited a love for engine craftsmanship and the open road. Working with his hands wasn’t just a passion. 

Anything that had to do with Harley-Davidson sparked his soul and he even opened a custom Harley shop with his sons in Fortuna. It was he who was pouring his talent, pride and identity into every bike he touched.

In honor of the Harley-Davidson heritage that shaped him, he named his his first son Harley, a meaningful nod to the legacy passed from his father to him and from him to his own children. And so that Harley, David’s son.

David was known to many as “Ghost.” David is survived by his children, who say he was a devoted and fiercely loyal father. He was incredibly proud to be the father of his firstborn – Heather, Hillary and Beth Fontaine — who marked the beginning of his journey into fatherhood. He went on to be the best dad, and his most prized accomplishments were his sons — Harley Fontaine ,Seth Fontaine, Ryan Fontaine, Levi Fontaine, Dakota Naves, Leo Fontaine; his beautiful baby girl Taylor Phillips; his daughter who is in heaven with him, Jelena; his stepdaughter Jessica Asbury and stepson Cory Naves. David is also survived by numerous grandchildren that God blessed them with .

He was a proud member of the motorcycle community, where his hardcore no-nonsense presence and unwavering principles earned his deep respect.

David fought an incredibly hard battle with cancer. meeting every challenge with the toughness and grit that defined his life. Though his relationship with his parents were was complex, he carried a deep love for them and now they’re in peace in knowing he is reunited and finally at rest. 

David’s humor and bold spirit made most people know him as a guy who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. It made him someone people either loved fiercely or didn’t quite understand, but he was always real and always Ghost. His legacy is

Dunlap’s

one of strength courage and authenticity. He leaves behind a family and a community to carry his memory proudly. David’s humor and bold spirit made most people know him as a guy who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. It made him someone people either loved fiercely or didn’t quite understand, but he was always real and always Ghost. His legacy is one of strength courage and authenticity. He leaves behind a family and a community to carry his memory proudly.

Contact the family to find out his celebration of life or check Facebook for updates. 

Carolyn Kyle was born on July 24, 1942, in Lancaster, in California’s Antelope Valley, the only child of farmers Thomas and Marjorie Kyle. She spent her earliest years roaming the Mojave Desert with a blind dog, a turkey, and a sheep as her companions. Solitude never frightened her; she grew up self-sufficient, imaginative, and precociously observant. By age three, she was playing piano, and by her teens, she was performing as a concert pianist and playing cello in her high school orchestra.

A rebel at heart, she chafed against the rigid 1950s long before she had the words for it. One favorite story: at a school assembly, she strode across the stage in shower shoes to accept a music award—her defiant footsteps echoing through the auditorium in violation of the dress code. It wasn’t a stunt; it was simply who she was.

Carolyn graduated from Antelope Valley High School at seventeen and soon joined the Marine Corps. After a posting to the military language school in Monterey, she became fluent in Swahili and later earned her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from UC Berkeley. As a young mother living in Point Richmond, Calif., she supported her children partly by teaching piano and partly by ghostwriting papers for Berkeley students—an early demonstration of her formidable intellect and her determination to care for her family. Though they had very little money, they never felt impoverished. Carolyn had a way of making every birthday and holiday celebration much larger than her means allowed.

After graduate work at UC Hayward (now CSU East Bay), where she earned a master’s degree in Education and Psychology with a minor in art, she was selected—over more senior art students—to paint a mural in one of the university’s halls. The choice caused controversy; she accepted the honor with characteristic humor and quiet confidence.

Carolyn’s professional life unfolded mainly through teaching and administrative roles, including serving as an office manager at UC Berkeley, where she worked until retiring at 55. She taught writing to the Richmond police and adult education in Berkeley, and once coolly stared down a student who pulled a knife on her— much as she once stared down a rogue wave on the Eureka jetty. She met danger with an unnerving, almost amused stillness. Despite her formidable intellect, she never lorded it over anyone; she had a gift for making people feel heard and on equal footing.

In 1976, she married the love of her life, artist Irving Moskowitz, whom she met through the PTA. Their blended family—Carolyn’s children, Allene and Thomas, and Irving’s son, Marc—grew up together in Point Richmond, in a home filled with art, classical and African music, sharp wit, and the joyful chaos of holidays celebrated in both their traditions. Carolyn and Irving shared a playful, intellectually vibrant partnership marked by creativity, mutual respect, and deep, enduring affection. During those early years with the kids, she also perfected the art of smuggling giant bags of popcorn and candy bars into the Rialto Theatre in Berkeley for family movie nights—yet another act of rebellion born of a tight budget and a shared sense of fun (and snacks).

After the children were grown, Carolyn and Irving travelled widely in their camping van, then later their RV, exploring the West and Canada in search of a place that felt like home. They found it in Eureka, where they retired in 1999 for the redwoods, the ocean, and the thriving artistic and musical community. Irving’s passing in 2004 was a profound loss, but Carolyn continued to build a rich life in the city they loved together.

In Eureka, she became a vibrant force in the local early-music community. She volunteered with The Ink People and was instrumental in forming VRKA (Violas, Recorders, Krumhorns, and All), a group that performed for many years at venues including Arts Alive, the Morris Graves, the Chamber Players, and notably at Pierson’s annual Black Friday events. She arranged an enormous amount of music for the ensemble—so much that she eventually began composing her own pieces in her mid-60s. Her musical colleagues consistently describe her as the creative engine of their groups, the one who quietly made things possible.

Carolyn’s home was an extension of her creative mind: beautifully arranged, stylish on a budget, always evolving. Late in life, she could still be found nudging heavy furniture across the room using her secret technique—one that worried but impressed her daughter.

She loved nature, animals, and the quiet order of her surroundings. She was sharp, witty, often wickedly funny, and possessed of a private brilliance she never flaunted. She raised her children to be ethical, kind, generous, polite, and unabashedly creative—values she embodied by example.

Carolyn survived cancer once, and when it returned years later in another form, she met it with calm stoicism. She died peacefully in her sleep on November 12, 2025, in her own home, held by the life she built, with her husband’s art, the objects she cherished, and her children close by.

She is survived by her children, Allene and Thomas Rohrer; her stepson, Marc Moskowitz; and her cousins Frances Epson, Sharon Ashton, and David Davis, among many other extended family members. Her lifelong best friend, Carol Selinske, was by her side—spiritually if not physically—until the end, as she had been since third grade.

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to cancer research. Her children extend their deep gratitude to Hospice of Eureka and to the team at St. Joseph’s Hospital—especially in the ICU—for their kindness, respect, and exceptional care.

Carolyn Kyle Moskowitz was a rebel, a scholar, a musician, an artist, a mother, a creator, and a woman of immense quiet strength. She leaves behind not just a body of work, but a way of seeing the world—curious, sharp-witted, and uncompromisingly her own.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Carolyn Moskowitz’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.

You know, enough of you were well-behaved this week to earn everyone a little weekend treat. Great work.

We here at LoCO don’t know much about local YouTuber Moss Gross other than that he seems to be a fun-lovin’ Humboldt dude who enjoys riding his motorcycle around, taking pretty drone videos and penning the occasional ditty about lesser-appreciated Humboldt locations. Four years ago, he made a video that has since become a favorite down here at LoCOHQ — we refer, of course, to “Eureka Slough Railroad Bridge,” which we are ashamed to admit has never been properly shared on this site. We are sorry, readers. 

To ensure that this local genius is no longer overlooked, today we will direct your attention to a new Moss Gross video posted earlier this week. In “Humboldt Bay Trail,” Moss expresses his appreciation for our new-ish picturesque bayside route in song. Really, we hope you stopped reading these words long ago and are already boppin’ along to “Humboldt Bay Trail.” You know what, we’re just going to go ahead and stop typing now so we can listen to it again. Thanks, Moss!

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UPDATE: Man, we went back through some of Moss’s past videos and found ourselves charmed by his “Hydesville and Carlotta” song too. Banger!

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As Thanksgiving Day draws near, Humboldt’s nonprofit sector is already hard at work preparing the bounty for next week’s communal feasts. Anyone looking for a home-cooked turkey dinner — dine-in or to-go — can find one for free at several locations across the county from Saturday through Thanksgiving Day. 

Looking to lend a hand? Several organizations are still seeking volunteers to prep food, serve hungry patrons and help with clean-up. Donations of all kinds are also welcome. 

Here’s a chronological list of local places offering free grub between now and turkey day. If you know of another organization offering a free Thanksgiving meal, drop us a line at news@lostcoastoutpost.com and we’ll add it to the list!

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McLean Foundation — Fortuna Veterans Memorial Building, 1426 Main Street, Fortuna

The McLean Foundation is hosting a free Thanksgiving meal at the Fortuna Veterans Memorial Building on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 3 to 5 p.m. Dinner will be prepared and served by the Walker Bailey American Legion Post 205 and Fortuna Fire Department Auxiliary. 

Van Duzen River Grange — 5250 State Route 36, Carlotta

Out in Carlotta, community members will host a free Thanksgiving dinner at the Van Duzen River Grange on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. Folks are welcome to dine in or take their food to go. The grange will also have a small food pantry available for those in need.

Black Humboldt — Jefferson Community Center, 1000 B Street, Eureka

Black Humboldt is hosting a holiday meal and resource distribution at the Jefferson Community Center in Eureka on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. Volunteers will be serving up hot meals, distributing food boxes and a range of other resources and household items. 

Those interested in donating or volunteering can contact Black Humboldt at (707) 840-4641 or frontdesk@blackhumboldt.com.

Eureka Salvation Army — 2123 Tydd Street, Eureka

Eueka’s Salvation Army will host a free Thanksgiving dinner on Monday, Nov. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Want to volunteer? Contact the Eureka branch at (707) 442-6475.

“These meals are important for the community because it helps connect people to each other,” Salvation Army spokesperson Sandra Solis told the Outpost. “When we do these events, you continually hear the laughter and joy that comes from sharing a meal together. For others, it is a meal that they may not otherwise have. And we get to be a part of bringing family meals, memories and community for everyone.”

Food Not Bombs — Bayshore Way, near the rear entrance to the Bayshore Mall, Eureka

Food Not Bombs is hosting a free Thanksgiving meal during its regular food distribution at the Bayshore Mall in Eureka on Monday, Nov. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. Distribution occurs on Bayshore Way on the north side of the mall, just down the street from Applebee’s.

Betty Kwan Chinn Foundation — 133 Seventh Street, Eureka

Local do-gooder Betty Chinn is handing out holiday food baskets to help folks in need. Reached by phone this week, Chinn told the Outpost that the holiday food basket list has filled up, but said volunteers will distribute to-go items starting on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Folks looking for a hot meal can stop by the Betty Kwan Chinn Day Center after 4 p.m. on Thursday Tuesday. This year, she’s expecting to feed over 1,000 people. 

The RAVEN Project — 523 T Street, Eureka

The RAVEN Project in Eureka will host a free Thanksgiving feast on Tuesday, Nov. 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. Given that the RAVEN Project’s services are youth-focused, the meal will be limited to people between the ages of 18 and 24. 

Eureka Rescue Mission — 110 Second Street, Eureka

The Eureka Rescue Mission is cooking up a free Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 12 to 2 p.m. Those interested in donating food or funds can contact the Rescue Mission at (707) 445-3787.

That’s a lotta pie! | Photo: Florence Carroll

Arcata House Partnership — D Street Neighborhood Center, 1301 D Street, Arcata

Community members are invited to Arcata House Partnership’s third annual Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to anyone who’s hungry.

Florence Carroll, operations and resource development manager for Arcata House, said the nonprofit is still looking for food donations and volunteers to help with turkey carving, can opening, veggie chopping and oven watching on Tuesday and Wednesday. Those interested in donating food or dropping off a meal can sign up by calling (707) 613-0143.

“We are asking for people to bring anything from mashed potatoes to pies to bread rolls. We’re only accepting them the day before Thanksgiving, so we have time to reheat and ensure everything is food safety compliant,” Carroll said. “We’re really hoping that by providing this meal for people and giving everyone a space to gather and connect, it’ll give everyone a space to exist and be thankful for the things that we do have.

On Saturday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Arcata House Partnership will host a donation day to gather winter clothes and other essentials for people in need. More information on the donation drive can be found here.

Carroll also wanted to give a shout-out to the City of Arcata for letting them use the community center free of charge. Thanks, Arcata!

Mateel Community Center — 59 Rusk Lane, Redway

The Mateel Community Center, in partnership with the Garberville Veterans Association, will host its free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 27, at 12 p.m. Interested in lending a hand? Call Tom Pie at (707) 449-3931.

St. Vincent de Paul’s Dining Facility — 35 Third Street, Eureka

And lastly but certainly not leastly, the St. Vincent de Paul Society will host a free Thanksgiving meal at its Eureka dining facility on Thursday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Staff are still looking for volunteers to help with food prep on Wednesday afternoon and clean up on Thursday.

Bob Santilli, board president for St. Vincent de Paul - Redwoods Region, told the Outpost that the Rotary Club of Eureka and Pacific Towing each donated a couple dozen turkeys for upcoming holiday meals. Those interested in donating extra stuff — whether that be monetary, Thanksgiving fixin’s or non-perishable foods — can do so at this link.

Want to volunteer? Give ‘em a call at (707) 445-9588.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov. 17, 2025, at approximately 4:21 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 2200 block of China Mine Road in Bridgeville to conduct a welfare check on a resident who had reportedly started a fire inside the home. The reporting party told dispatchers she had spoken with the resident by phone, during which he stated that his coat was on fire before hanging up.

While deputies were en route, the Humboldt County Emergency Communications Center received a subsequent call from a neighbor reporting that the residence was fully engulfed in flames. When deputies arrived, the structure had already burned down to the foundation. Cal Fire was notified and responded to the scene.

A comprehensive search of the area was conducted by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Special Services Unit and the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) team. Remains were located and were tentatively identified as being animal remains. They have been collected by the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office and are scheduled to be examined by an anthropologist to determine the origin.

This case is an active investigation. No further information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.