Seated at a dining table in her empty – but technically open – new business, Gabrielle Long described what the Tasty Hub will be in the coming months: a community-oriented food scene with regular vendors in the parking lot and a dining area inside, but also a venue for food-related community events, teach-ins, or whatever else folks dream up for the space. 

But the new commissary kitchen in northern Eureka, which opened officially on Monday this week, isn’t quite there yet. The kitchen itself is fully stocked and ready to go; now it just needs chefs. 

Have you noticed this new sign, heading north on the 101? Photo: Jacquelyn Opalach

Long’s business is the foundation of a plan that relies on other local businesses to operate. It is now up to those in the mobile food industry – already existing or new to the scene – to make the Tasty Hub vision a reality. 

A commissary kitchen is a rentable commercial kitchen typically used by food trucks, vendors, caterers, nonprofits or other food-related business ventures. These “mobile food facilities” (usually) legally depend on commissary kitchens to operate. Though there are a few commissary kitchens in Humboldt, the area’s recent food truck boom has created a demand for more.

That’s one of a few reasons Long, who also owns A Taste of Bim and the Grind Cafe, decided to open the Tasty Hub. “I’ve been hearing that chant: ‘there’s not enough kitchens,’” Long said. “‘Kitchens, kitchens, kitchens.’” Commissary kitchens, Long pointed out, are a resource to people who want to break into the food industry but don’t have the money or resources to do it the old-fashioned way. 

But the Tasty Hub is a bit different from your average commissary kitchen. Beyond using the facilities and storage space there, food vendors may, if they wish, secure a permit to sell their food onsite. 

The goal is “to build community, because we’re stronger together than apart,” Long said. “What better way to have people helping each other, working together in a place that can help uplift, and help the community thrive.” Long is stoked with the traffic-heavy location and was happy to restore the unique building, which was once the long-time home of The Chalet House of Omelettes but has been vacant since 2020.

“It’s always good when you can take something like that and make it positive, and turn it into something that people can use and benefit from,” Long said.

She hopes the Tasty Hub will become a safe space for underserved communities, Long said, like folks of color and the queer community.

That hope might manifest in a partnership with a local nonprofit called Pathways of Purpose, which facilitates learning programs for underserved transition-age youth (16 to 24). Dr. Susanne Sarley, who co-founded the organization with her husband Aerin Monroe in 2021, said they’ve been looking to add some vocational training programs to the nonprofit’s offerings. 

“We think that it will be a great place to train transitional age youth in not only the culinary arts and cultural foods and knowledge and healthy eating – which is all connected to our model,” Sarley said, “but also we’re thinking about the potential of perhaps doing a garden where they could learn farm-to-table practices, because my husband is an agricultural farmer. So there’s some really good potential for that site, and for our partnership with Tasty Hub.”

Both Long and Sarley noted that those ideas are preliminary. For now, the Tasty Hub (itself a for-profit business) needs to get off the ground and running. At this point, it’s up to food people, new or seasoned, to get involved. 

Long said that people can rent the kitchen by the hour or secure a longer-term lease agreement with Tasty Hub. There are overnight parking spaces for three food trucks, and other vendors, like food stands, can store equipment onsite, too. Once applications are approved and all the necessary bureaucratic stuff is good to go, folks can get on a schedule to use the kitchen, sell food onsite, or do some other cool food thing at the Tasty Hub. Three businesses have already started the process.

Long said to contact her for the application by email at atasteofbim@zoho.com or by phone at (707) 298-7099. You can also keep an eye out for the Eureka Chamber of Commerce newsletter in the coming week, which will detail how to apply.

“Here’s your opportunity now to do what you’ve been dreaming of,” Long said. “I’m excited and I can’t wait to see how it will help people bring their business ideas to fruition.”

Incidentally, in order that I may qualify myself as one knowledgeable of many changes, as Eureka has developed over the years, I might tell of my own background. I was born in Eureka on the 5th day of March, A.D. 1879. My birthplace was in the William Brett cottage located on the southwest corner of 5th and D streets. My mother’s maiden name was Emily Pengilly Way and my father was Henry Way. Mother was a native of England where she lived and was a pupil teacher at Weymouth until she came to this country.

— Arthur W. Way

A.W. Way. Photos via the Humboldt Historian.

The above information is from the beginning notes for a talk that the late Arthur Way prepared many years ago. He had been called upon to speak before numerous groups including the Historical Society, meetings that were held in Eureka and at Mattole. I feel fortunate to have shared in reviewing these thoughts used in his preparation to entertain at a function the majority of us were unable to attend. 

Arthur W. Way, one of their three children, was born March 5, 1879. His mother gave him his elementary school education. He mentioned playing ball in passing, but not many know that he was a star football and baseball player when he attended Winship High School. It was some time after his graduation from Winship that he took up the study of law and passed the Bar examination.

Following his death the newspapers said: “There are not many who ever heard of the other Arthur W. Way—the intrepid sportsman, the athlete, the volunteer fireman, the attorney who for years fought for the causes of the Indians, the champion yachtman who for more than a half century set a record which has never been broken.”

When he was 37 years of age, he accomplished an almost impossible task of salvaging most of the cargo, ship’s gear, and equipment that was aboard the S.S. Bear, the wrecked steamer off Cape Mendocino on June 14, 1916.

The area is not readily accessible today, but was almost impossible to reach at that time. Arthur and his crews built temporary roads and bridges and laid railroad ties down the beach placing them not more than four feet apart. They used the funnels from the Bear for culverts at several streams. It made for a rough bumpy road but served the purpose.

He sent to Switzerland for three narrow-gauge trucks to bring the salvage to Ferndale, and used 35 four-horse teams around the clock to accomplish the task which even the insurers felt couldn’t be done. It was acclaimed at that time as the greatest engineering and salvage job of its kind in the world.

In the yacht Oreades, which he and William S. Clark built on Humboldt Bay with no previous knowledge of boat building. Way and an Eureka crew entered the San Francisco Bay Regatta. On that day. May 25, 1913, the San Francisco Yacht Club saw the visitors make a clean sweep, taking the perpetual trophy away. This was a trophy San Francisco Yacht Club had held for 34 years and one that had never left the San Francisco Bay area in its existence of 85 years. It is noteworthy what the newspapers said in their reporting of Art Way’s achievement: “It is typical of the man that he always gave full credit to his crew for the astounding victory over the cream of the yacht fleet at San Francisco.”

And so to keep faith, let us look at that crew of the Oreades: Art Way was Skipper, with him were, H.L. “Toppy” Ricks, William S. Clark, R.J. Kellen, Bernard B. Bartlett and William Kressman. All were members of the Eureka’s Sequoia Yacht Club. Today the Humboldt Bay Maritime Museum has a display of some of Arthur W. Way’s cups and memorabilia.

Before going to another subject, what was the background for this dramatic takeover? The story of the Oreades’ origin is almost as fantastic as some of the other events in the Way saga.

It was two years before the great race. Way and his close friend, W.S. Clark, had heard of a beautiful yacht — a 35 footer which had won the Great Lakes Championship against supposedly superior craft.

They sent east to the Small Brothers for the plans, which cost them $135 — a whale of amount of money in those days. Neither one of them had ever built a boat before.

Clark had a good-sized shed at his home at Whipple (14th) & C sts. When the plans arrived. Way rolled them open on the shed floor and Clark figured them out.

They started to work — on two vessels. Clark named his twin of Art’s the “Calypso.”

Only the mast and spars were farmed out, to be shaped from native Humboldt fir. The rest, Way and Clark did themselves. There was one hitch that was a cartoonist’s classic: When their neat, trim crafts were completed, they were too big to get out of the shed. One end of the building had to be knocked out to release the boats.

Then they needed help so Cochrane’s dray came to move them to the foot of C Street where Mercer Fraser had a piledriver. Its rigging was used to launch the two boats. The Way boat was christened “Oreades” (named for a Greek sea nymph).

Then the fun began. The two fellows were the best of friends — anywhere except at the tiller. There writers said, they showed “tooth and fang.” Way once recalling race experiences said, “I could beat her (the Calypso) by 14 seconds in seven miles every time.” He had the “feel” and the “knowhow.”

So after much local practice, the San Francisco race of May 25, 1913, was entered and arrangements were made to ship the boat to San Francisco aboard the S.S. Vanguard.

The day of the race the last survivors in the eliminations were the two boats, the San Francisco yacht “Challenger” and Way’s “Oreades.”

Over a hundred boats were entered and there had been much more wind than they needed. It was nip-and-tuck in the stretch. They were on the last lap and rounding the stake boat. Under the strain of the terrific wind the turnbuckle holding the “Challenger’s” bowsprit, which in turn held the mainmast guy, broke and down came mast and canvas.

On the “Oreades,” at the same time, it called for every ounce of strength and every shred of experience. Kellen was the mainsheet man, and Bartlett handled the jib and was in charge of the balloon spinnaker and water-sail, if needed. Now the whole object was to prevent the loss of her own sticks. Skipper Way controlled the tiller with an unbelievable smoothness and she breezed across the finish line — and to the championship — intact. San Francisco papers blazed the story across their front pages.

Arthur Way was very modest but at the same time ecstatic. He said, “Teamwork won it,” and stuck with this remark for years and years after. However all present at the event attested to the superior seamanship of Arthur W. Way, skipper of the Oreades.

It is a fact there are other little-known “firsts” during his long career. An example, the first motor truck to reach Bridgeville was driven by Arthur W. Way.

Arthur is credited with being the key person on forming the Sequoia Yacht Club and constructing its spacious, imposing building on Günther Island.

In 1916 Arthur Way purchased 30 some acres near the mouth of the Mattole River, southeast of Ferndale. There he initiated, and carried out each Fourth of July what developed into a huge celebration in honor of his small daughter, Dorothy. Today she still remembers the many big metal containers of ice cream that he transported for the event. He spent large sums for the picnic and fireworks. The celebration was free for all who would attend.

Now of course the Mattole Grange has been the sponsor of the Annual Fourth of July Celebrations and other picnics, dances, barbecues, etc. It was on October, 1961, that the Mattole Grange honored Arthur by having a “Way Day.” Invitations were extended all over the country to have his friends attend the picnic. It was a time when speeches were heard from the late Frank P. Belotti, as the main speaker and Martha B. Roscoe as M.C., but most important was the opportunity for people to express their appreciation and congratulations to Arthur, honoring him on his 82nd birthday. And some came to say thanks for the trucks he sent to flooded country in 1955 to help people, or for personally planting fish in some streams long before the state took over or for the setting aside of Ferndale’s streams for children’s fishing only and he fostered many other worthwhile projects. Yes, “Way Park” at Mattole is named in his honor.

For two terms he served the City of Eureka as its mayor. (Emily Jones succeeded him in that office.) Years later he entered the political arena of the State of California. He was sent to the California Assembly, from the First District in 1948 and after serving that year and 1949 he was selected for the State Senate where he served from 1950 to 1956.

Those who know, credit him with taking an active role in highway development. He gave top priority to both the development of Highway 1 from San Francisco north to Oregon and the improvement of Redwood Highway. The Redwood Highway Association acknowledges that he was one of the earliest proponents for the shoreline highway and took an active roll in many matters of their Association.

Arthur Way and the late Richard Denboe are credited with starting the Annual Crab Feed still held in Sacramento by Humboldters.

He was the founder and owner-operator of the former Redwood Empire Freight Lines and was the first to bring a refrigeration truck to the area. He operated several trucks regularly between San Francisco and Eureka. Way’s Garage was located at 7th & D streets. In earlier years he was a partner in the auto sales firm known as Mercer- Way. Some of the autos they sold and serviced were Lozier, Chalmers, Flanders, Hupmobile and Studebaker and they also had International and Mack trucks.

When he was president of a men’s club, known as “Knights of the Roundtable” he proposed they start a youth club, “perhaps at the high school, the men could act as advisors and direct the youths in looking for places to serve, etc.” The club known as Excalibur came into being and the idea quickly caught on in other cities. This was the forerunner of the Interact and Key clubs sponsored by Rotary and Kiwanis service clubs today.

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The story above was excerpted from an article originally printed in the July-August 1988 issue of the Humboldt Historian, a journal of the Humboldt County Historical Society. It is reprinted here with permission. The Humboldt County Historical Society is a nonprofit organization devoted to archiving, preserving and sharing Humboldt County’s rich history. You can become a member and receive a year’s worth of new issues of The Humboldt Historian at this link.

Lillian Mae Hostler, affectionately known as “Mush,” was born on March 18, 1929, in Hoopa. She peacefully started her final journey on July 9, 2024, at the age of 95, surrounded by her loving family. As a proud member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe, Lillian was celebrated as the Tribe’s oldest living member, embodying a rich legacy of tradition and resilience.

Born during the early years of the Great Depression to Jimmy Jackson and Pearl Green Jackson, Lillian was the eldest of seven children. Her early years were filled with adventure and learning, particularly from her grandmother, Louisa “Old Gram” Jackson, who was born in 1887. Known for always following her “Old Gram” and Aunt’s, Lillian learned many stories, the Hupa language and traditional teachings that she cherished throughout her life. She was deeply rooted in the Hupa culture and was honored to dance in the Jump Dance as a young woman.

Lillian always deeply loved her parents and spoke fondly of them, showing them devotion and unconditional love throughout their lives.

Lillian attended Hoopa High School but contracted tuberculosis and was sent to a sanatorium in Fresno for a year and a half for treatment. When she returned home in 1946, she married Hilton Hostler Sr. and had two sons shortly thereafter. She worked as a clerk for Brizzard’s Store in Hoopa and Jordan’s Shopping Center, making many friends over the years. In 1975, Lillian remarried Robert “Bobby” Hostler, and they enjoyed 37 years of marriage. In 1970, they moved to Washington, D.C., where Bobby worked for the BIA and Lillian took a job at a pharmacy. Preferring active work over a desk job, she enjoyed her role as a clerk and made many friends while braving the East Coast winters.

Upon returning home, Lillian became the manager of the liquor store at Club Hupa, running the store and bar. She was known for her caring and considerate nature, yet she was tough as nails, handling unruly patrons and keeping the business going for many years. After retiring, Lillian worked at her sister’s restaurant, Laura’s Kitchen, as a hostess, waitress and all-around helper, socializing and exchanging stories with the patrons.

Despite the great heartache of losing both of her sons, Lillian remained steadfast in her commitment to love and support her family. She was fiercely devoted to her children and grandchildren, providing a safe haven and unwavering support. Her home was a place of warmth and sustenance, often taking in those who needed help the most.

Lillian was famous for making the best bread and beans, a recipe that no one could quite replicate. She would make a pot of beans every week, accompanied by her delicious fry bread or yeast bread, often sending visitors home with a loaf. One of the best gifts you could give her was fresh fruits and vegetables. During the summertime, she could often be found enjoying a plate of lemon cucumbers and tomatoes, visiting with family from her favorite spot on the couch with her legs tucked up to one side. Well into her eighties, Lillian maintained her strength and agility, regularly walking from her house on Redwood Grove Road down to the Trinity River for exercise and to cool off. Her ability to squat down to build a fire or find her bean pot in the back of the cupboard in her late eighties amazed her grandchildren.

The greatest legacy Lillian leaves behind is her example of unconditional love. No matter the circumstances, she loved wholeheartedly, offering support and compassion to all. Her life was a testament to strength, love, and community. Deeply rooted in her culture, Lillian often shared stories and traditions that kept the Hoopa culture alive. Her wisdom and compassion touched the lives of many, making her a cherished figure within the Tribe and beyond. Lillian is survived by her devoted sisters, Laura Ferris, Lila Gerstner (Jay Dee), Laura Lee George, and sister-in-law, Leslie Jackson; her brothers, Lincoln Jackson (Janet) and Zane Grant (Nita); and her beloved daughter-in-law, Jacque Hostler-Carmesin. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren, Robin Hostler, Donald Hostler (Mark Alsbury), Lillian “Buppy” Hostler, Michael Hostler Sr., and Heather Hostler. Her great-grandchildren, Lisa, Ashley, Brandt, Jazzy, Hilton III, Kameiko, Kamaria, Aneekah, John Silver, Coco, and Michael Jr., will carry forward the love she showed them. Her great-great-grandchildren, Blaine, Gerard, Christian, Donald II, Shayde, Elise, Alize, Deandre Michael, Zamarii, Rocky, Hallie, and Rori, along with countless cousins, nieces and nephews, will remember her with the deepest love and respect.

Lillian was preceded in death by her cherished sons, Hilton Hostler Jr. and Jasper Hostler III; loving husband, Robert Daniel Hostler; her parents, Jimmy and Pearl Jackson; her brothers, Leroy, Leonard, Leland, Chief, Sonny Jackson, and Frank Grant; her sister, Leona Jackson;and her great-great-grandchild, baby Jazz “Little Horse” Hostler.

Lillian Mae Hostler’s life was a beacon of strength and love, illuminating the path for future generations of her lineage. Her memory will be carried in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. The family invites those who wish to honor Lillian’s memory to join in a celebration of her life at the Neighborhood Facilities in Hoopa on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Hostler Family Cemetery at Takimildin and reception at the Hoopa Fire Department Hall.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Don Hostler, Michael Hostler Sr., Hilton Hostler III, Brandt Hostler, Blaine Hostler, Gerard Marshall, Christian Hostler and Donald Hostler II. Honorary pallbearers are Mark Alsbury, George Bailey, Robert Buckman, Carl Colegrove Sr., Don Sugi Colegrove, Wes Crawford, Gary Dempewolf Jr., Gary Dempewolf Sr., Lonnie Ferris, Deacon Ferris, Leonard “Spam” Ferris, Buddy Gray, Albert “Junkie” Gray, Wayne Grant, Zane Grant, Jay Dee Gerstner, Murphy Green, Jeff Hodge Jr., Jeff Hodge Sr., Alex Hodge, Max Hodge, Clarence Hostler, Jude Hostler, Keith Hostler, Norvin Hostler, Willie Hostler, Ryan Jackson, Lyle “Custer” Jackson, Nah-tes Jackson, Silish Jackson, Arthur Jones, Pete Lara, Paige Matilton, Steven McCovey, Mikey McCovey, Michael McCovey, Notchko McCovey, Victor McCovey, Virgil Moorehead, Dale Risling, Maui Smith and Bill Taylor.

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

Michael Duane Bode
May 19, 1948 - June 26, 2024

Mike, known to his grandchildren as “Papa Mike,” left us on June 26, 2024 to go home, to his father in heaven. As his family and friends feel the enormous void he leaves behind with his passing, we are also filled with hearts of gratitude for the loving husband, father, grandfather, cousin, in-law, uncle and friend he was to so many.

Mike was born in Los Angeles in 1948 to Melvin and Barbara Bode. They eventually settled in Eureka when he was young. They were blessed with two more boys, Rob and Chris Bode. Mel was a draftsman in the building trades. Extraordinarily, all three Bode brothers went on to be building contractors in the Humboldt County area, some for over 50 years.

Mike attended Marshall Elementary School, Jacobs Junior High School and Eureka High School. ‘Bode’ was an outstanding athlete at EHS, where he excelled at playing football and track and field events. His creativity began to emerge during this time as well, when he discovered a love of painting, pottery and building. After high school he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was sent overseas to Vietnam. He served bravely, like so many of his comrades, and completed two and a half years and left a sergeant.

He returned home to his family where he went onto attend College of the Redwoods, where he received his A.A. and played defensive end on the 1969 undefeated CR Football team. During this time, he began to date Audrey Watson, who was the love of his life and partner in everything. They were married in 1971 and have been married for 52 years.

He went onto attend Humboldt State University, where he received a bachelor degree in industrial technology and started Bode Construction Company in 1974. One of his first construction projects was building his own houseboat with his dad on Trinity Lake. Mike built many buildings and used his drafting skills to build throughout Humboldt County, where he made many friends and connections that still are felt by his family, friends and community today. His creativity and strong work ethic enabled him to build a foundation that he graciously shared with everyone around him.

In 1972, he took on a new role as a dad when he welcomed his little girl Stephanie. He was always devoted, supportive and hardworking when it came to her and his entire family. He would spend countless hours teaching his kids and grandkids to carve a turkey or build something from nothing, a big lap to sit on or how to pick a garden. He was so many things to so many people. In 1974, he welcomed his son Ryan. Mike and Ryan enjoyed the outdoors snow-skiing, houseboating on Trinity Lake and a love of working with your hands. Mike taught Ryan to build. He passed on his creativity, eye for detail, exceptional work ethic and toughness that only those in the construction trades will understand. They ran Bode Construction Company together beginning in 2001, and Mike continued to stay active in the business up until his passing. He loved to work and enjoyed sharing his gifts for building.

In 2003, he began another new role as grandpa, and was aka “Papa Mike.” Papa Mike pulled out all the stops for his five grandsons and two granddaughters. Papa Mike and Nana lovingly put their valuable time, energy and resources into these kiddos who made them laugh and love the world in only ways that grandkids can. Papa Mike would spend countless hours watching his athleticism on display through his grandkids on the football field, baseball diamond, soccer field, basketball gym, rodeo grounds, gymnastics meets and any and all school functions. He loved supporting athletics and loved competition and the grit it took to do it.

To really know Mike you had to know his hobbies. He was passionate about so many things over the years. In the beginning, he loved to paint and do pottery. He loved to snow-ski in the winter and spent many hours on his houseboat in the summer. Always a bit of a prankster at the houseboat, his nieces and nephews always had to keep one eye on what they were doing and the other on where Uncle Mike was.

Mike had a great passion for aviation. His dad Melvin was a pilot in WWII flying the P-61 over the Pacific and Mike seemed to be drawn to the heavens as his dad was. He bought his first plane in 1989 and then later upgraded to a plane that was known to buzz the skies of his home near the air strip at Murray Field. Later he picked up fly fishing, riding his bike, gardening and wine making. He loved to have his family and friends together in all of these activities. He and Audrey created an oasis at their cabin in Willow Creek with a garden that was extraordinary. He loved their garden and during the harvest months you didn’t leave his presence without taking home delicious fruits and veggies for you and your family. He loved to bottle wine with anyone who wanted to show up and bottle, cork, label, etc. and it didn’t matter how old you were. Elbow grease was the main ingredient. Later the wine would be enjoyed and shared with his family, friends and community.

Mike, together with Audrey, made exceptional memories filled with a lifetime of love and laughter. They worked together running their construction and rental businesses, raised kids, loved on grandkids and traveled many parts of world together. Their travels whether they were near or far were always together where they would take in the sites and would appreciate the time they were given.

He is preceded in death by his father Melvin Bode, his mother Barbara Bode-Morse, his brother Rob Bode, father-in-law William Watson Jr., and mother-in-law Edith Watson. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Audrey Bode, daughter Stephanie Schneider (Travis), son Ryan Bode (Melissa), grandkids Hayden, Rogan, Macy, Riley, Parker, Alayna and Cade, his brother Chris Bode (Denise), sister-in-law Kay Bode, cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews and countless great friends.

Mike was a big personality and a generous spirit who enjoyed life and was grateful for all of its harvest. There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, July 27 at The Faith Center located at 1032 Bay Street, Eureka from 11 a.m.-12 p.m., followed by a gathering immediately after at Old Growth Cellars located at 1945 Hilfiker Ln, Eureka until 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice in his name.

We will miss you, rest in eternal peace Papa Mike.

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

Michael John Watson was born in Riverside, California, at the Air Force base on September 29, 1952. His father had just served a tour of duty in Korea and the Korean war was just coming to an end. They moved to San Francisco soon after Michael’s birth and they all enjoyed living in San Francisco. His father became an accountant for Standard Oil and his mother became a clerk at UCSF Hospital. Michael started elementary school in his neighborhood of Twin Peaks and went on to become lifelong friends with Ricky Montalvan and Larry Cressey, two chums that he met before high school. One of whom he met in elementary school, and the other one he met in junior high school. He also had a high school chum who was also a friend for life, named David Subke.

While he was still in San Francisco he had a paper route delivering the San Francisco Chronicle. He loved reading the sports section of the Chronicle all his life, as he was very faithful to two sports teams that he “grew up with”, the San Francisco Giants and the 49ers. Later, he became a fan of the Golden State Warriors as well. He would always fly their flag on his truck during the playoffs.

Also, while he lived in SF, Michael earned his nickname. He started surfing at a fairly young age (Jr. High) down at the beach near the San Francisco zoo. He went with some surfing buddies and it wasn’t long before they started calling him “The Walrus” because of his ability to withstand cold water. Eventually, by his high school years, that name was stretched to “Wally the Walrus” , and that has been who he was ever since.

He played the trumpet in the school band in elementary, jr. high school, and into high school. He attended Lowell High School, SFs finest high school, especially for musicians. During his Senior year at Lowell High School, he went to Japan with the Lowell High School Orchestra. They were all great musicians, and they played all over Japan. Wally always said his claim to fame were his performances in Japan. The Japanese people truly loved these high school virtuosos’ talent in music. Later on, his interest in music would continue, and he practiced and played his horn for over 20 years. In the town of Somes Bar, CA, he played in a band with Tina Marier’s River Bar Community Band. It was with this little group that Wally helped to premiere a piece of music written especially for them. It was called the Klamath River Suite, composed by David Subke, Wally’s high school chum who had joined the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and he also became a composer.

When he was nineteen he came up to Forks of Salmon with his buddy, Rick Montalvan, to visit Larry Cressey, who had apprenticed with an old mountain man and gold miner named Manuel “Mike” DeFaria. Mike taught them all just about everything a person would need to know to become self-sufficient in the mountains. Although Wally’s dad took him hunting and fishing as a boy and he already knew a bit about guns and hunting. Mike taught him how to hunt bear, elk, deer and game birds grouse and turkeys. He learned how to render bear fat and how to waterproof his shoes with it…. he also learned a lot about creating gravity water systems and gardening his own vegetables. He mastered all of this well before his death. After this visit to Forks of Salmon, he never moved back to SF. He lived at a place called the Hansen Mine, located 1 mile up from the forks of Know Nothing Creek which is close to where his wife first met him at Forks of Salmon. Know Nothing Creek is a tributary of the Salmon River. Edna and her son Ricky became close neighbors to him in February of 1974. And by summer of that year, they were all living together in a little cabin at the forks of Know Nothing Creek. Wally and Edna had their son Woody by November of 1975, at the same little cabin and you could say they lived happily ever after. Wally and Edna loved life in the mountains and never wanted to live anywhere else.

Wally was always an avid fisherman. In 1974 he started working in Somes Bar for the Throgmorton family as a guide for the Somes Bar Lodge. He also was a logger for a couple of years as well as a tree planter for ENT forestry. Not before long he became a partner with Jody Pullen, in what would become his own business, Klamath River Outfitters. Initially he specialized as a top steelhead fishing guide. Later in 1983, the family moved to Somes Bar, where they all could still pursue their dreams of mountain living and where Wally practiced his expertise of carpentry and built their beautiful family home. This is where Wally lived out the rest of his life.

Wally pioneered Wing rafts on the Salmon River. He was also one of the first people to go commercial rafting on the Salmon. For the next fifty years he fished and rafted the Salmon and Klamath Rivers faithfully as a top guide. His wife Edna taught for thirty-two years at Junction Elementary School, first as the upper grade teacher for 19 years and then as a special education teacher for the county of Siskiyou, and her route included Junction School in Somes Bar. Wally also stayed busy at Junction School, where he became a Little League Coach for almost 20 years, joined by Toz Soto and Brandon Tripp. Wally loved coaching baseball, and one of the proudest moments of his life was when his team, the Somes Bar Cougars, won a trophy for being undefeated the whole season. Wally also loved taking kids rafting. Throughout his life it is likely he took most of the kids in Somes Bar rafting.

Wally died on May 22, 2024, from a horrible brain tumor called a Glioblastoma, that had only been diagnosed about 10 days prior to his death. Luckily for Wally, his death was peaceful and painfree, and he was surrounded by his wife and other loved ones.

Wally was predeceased by his mother, Patricia Watson, his father Jerry Albert Watson, all his grandparents, paternal, Albert and Jennifer Watson, maternal, John Murphy and Norine Guerin Murphy, and his brother, Tim Watson, who was 24 when he died on Know Nothing Creek Road in 1983. Sadly, Woody predeceased Wally in May of 2020. Wally was also predeceased by his 1st cousin, Cherolee Slinger and her parents, his aunt and uncle, Chet and Evaline Slinger. He was also predeceased by his good friends, Wayne Glascoe, Dave Subke, Les Harling, and Lloyd Ingle. Wally is survived by his loving wife, Edna Watson and her-son, Rick Glascoe, and Rick’s four children, Brandi Grimm and son Dylan, Angelica Hokanson and husband Mitch and their two children Hudson and Cash, Buck Wayne Glascoe age 18, and then Rick’s youngest daughter Eva May Glascoe age 16. Wally is also survived by Woody’s children; Tim Watson, age 21, Virusur Watson, age 20 and Patty Watson, age 12, and their mother, Alicia Whitman and her other children, Layla Aubrey, age 10, and Layla’s brother and sister Laina and Joaquin both age 14, as well as Luis Osario, age 18. Wally is also survived by many friends, who over the years have been like extended family.

HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY MANY. “White Water Wally the Walrus, you are Boat Man Extraordinaire!” There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial service for Wally, to be held at Ti Bar Campground in Somes Bar, on Sunday, July 21, 2024 starting at noon. Everyone is welcome. Look for local flyers or on Facebook for more info, or call Edna. It is a potluck.

Press releases from the Arcata Fire District:

Incident one:

On Thursday, July 11 at 10:27 P.M. the Arcata Fire District was dispatched to a traffic collision on the Northbound side of Highway 101 at Airport Road.

The incident was reported as a ‘single vehicle off of the roadway.’

First responding units stated extrication was needed. All three of AFD’s engines arrived on scene and proceeded to remove the driver’s side of the vehicle with extrication equipment in order to remove the patient from the vehicle.

Care of the patient was then transferred to Arcata/Mad River Ambulance.

Fieldbrook Volunteer Fire was dispatched to a medical aid in AFD’s response area during the time when all of Arcata’s units were involved in the extrication.

All of Arcata’s units were released by CHP to respond to a commercial structure fire that was dispatched in Arcata.

Incident two:

On Thursday, July 11 while at a vehicle extrication on HWY 101 in McKinleyville at 10:59 P.M. the Arcata Fire District was dispatched to a commercial structure fire at a lumber mill at the 3700 block of West End Rd.

First arriving units from AFD arrived to find a two-story warehouse type structure with heavy fire on an exterior wall and roof of the building.

Upon entering the building, firefighters found fire was spreading in the interior which housed industrial equipment and lumber. Firefighters attacked the fire, knocking down the main body of fire within fifteen minutes.

Mutual aid agencies continued to respond and assisted at the scene as well as provided coverage for Arcata’s District.

The Arcata Volunteer Logistics Unit was on scene to provide relief and rehab for firefighters.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Arcata Fire would like to extend our sincere thanks to our mutual aid partners Fieldbrook Fire, Samoa Fire, Humboldt Bay Fire, Blue Lake Fire, Westhaven Fire, Arcata Police and PG&E. We would also like to thank CaFire ECC for coordination of coverage of our district.

Judith Mae Hagood passed away on July 3, 2024, in Merced. Judith was born on October 6, 1941, to James and Zelma Franzoni. Judith was the oldest of two daughters born to James and Zelma. Judith was preceded in death by her youngest sister Sharon K Franzoni, who died on September 1, 2010.

Judith was raised in Big Lagoon, where she attended elementary school. She went on to attend Arcata High School and then junior college in Redding at Shasta College. In 1964 Judith married James Hagood and moved to Orick. She and Jim would eventually buy Hagood’s Hardware from Jim’s parent Lowell and Jean Hagood. Judith would then dedicate her life to running the hardware store for the rest of her life.

While running the hardware store Judith became a member of the Orick Volunteer Fire Department. She would spend the next 54 years being a member of the OVFD. Her involvement in the Fire Department brought her great pleasure. Caring for and assisting others was a great passion of hers. Judy dedicated her adult life to providing care to the community or Orick. As many citizens of Orick grew older, Judy was the one that would check on them daily and help with their medical needs.

For a long period of time Judy was active in the Camp Fire Girls program. Many young girls in Orick were members of the Camp Fire Girls and attended meetings at the hardware store where Judy mentored them and prepared them for planned activities. These activities included fund raisers and cheerleading competitions.

In addition to Camp Fire Girls’ activities, Hagood’s Hardware was also a place where Judy would serve as a babysitter for many of the young children of the Orick Community. Judy was trusted by a great deal of parents to babysit their children while they worked, shopped, attended meetings, etc. Generations of children spent time in Hagood’s Hardware while Judy looked over them.

Judith leaves behind her husband Jim of 59 years. In addition, she leaves behind her son Michael Hagood and his wife Leticia Hagood as well as their two sons Brendan Hagood and Darren Hagood. She also leaves behind her daughter Betsey Paulo and her husband Doug Paulo along with their two daughters Kimberly Paulo and Paige Paulo.

A memorial for Judith will be arranged for a later time.