He served as master of ceremonies for thousands of shows and crowned dozens of queens, using his own plane to travel efficiently. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association. "How do you say goodbye to a man who made everyone feel like a friend?". No ones shared more airtime with Orion than Max, and hes the first to admit he got a lot of spillover from Orions popularity. In fact, it might be what they like about him best. Well known ag broadcaster Orion Samuelson will retire this month after 60 years in the field. The manager at WBAY called me in and said, I got a call from WGN, and they want to talk to you. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. It was Sept. 26, 1960, and as he headed toward his first day on the job at WGN, a singular thought ran through his head. After all, I am Norwegian. WGN Radios Orion Samuelson has graced airwaves throughout the heartland in places across the Midwest and beyond. You cant respond to someone until you listen to them, and you cant ask the right questions until you learn where theyre coming from. On 97.1 on Monday, the station's programming was one long, emotional tribute to Samuelsen, starting with Stone and Heather Park in the morning, and carrying over to Doug Karsch and Scott Anderson in middays. He has since retired from that position, with John Phipps replacing him. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. But he remembers the first time he spoke competitively: My knees never stopped shaking!. Orion is now single. "But I had a lot of help, thanks to Ward Quaal, [the WGN president and general manager] who hired me, and a lot of the other great names Ive worked with and learned from." A new coronavirus subvariant is starting to spread in the U.S. and, according to health experts, it could be causing an annoying symptom to return. In addition to working with farmers and ranchers, Orion Samuelson has also been involved with activities outside of the agricultural industry, including emceeing at the Tournament of Roses Parade with co-host Pam Minick. Samuelson began his broadcasting career in Wisconsin and will officially sign off from his job at WGN radio in Chicago. He currently co-hosts (with associate Max Armstrong) the Morning Show on Saturdays. Samuelson received a custom-engraved Norwegian horse plaque to commemorate the occasion from presidents of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, the Wisconsin Soybean Association, the Wisconsin Agri-Services Association and the Wisconsin Pork Association. That, I thought, explained a lot. Holly Spangler has covered Illinois agriculture for more than two decades, bringing meaningful production agriculture experience to the magazines coverage. She and her husband are active in state and local farm organizations. I was the youngest at the radio station by nine years, he recalled. Reverence, always. "So I think Ill find things to do.". When they went on remote broadcasts, he included them in dinners. Thank you . Sirott: Why have agriculture news and farm reports survived on WGN Radio in Chicago here long after that kind of broadcasting ended on other stations? Feder: Orion Samuelson to retire after 60 years at WGN Radio - Daily Herald Robert Feder, a lifelong Chicagoan, covered the media beat in his hometown from 1980 until his retirement in 2022. [2], Politically, Samuelson supported the production of ethanol fuel from corn, to help American farmers.[8]. She replied that she read them occasionally, and that was enough. Armstrong was a member of NAFB for 40 years before being elected president. A. Moon's first wife, Seon-gil Choi, and Pastor Deok-jin Kim interviewed. Samuelson has held the same job in the broadcasting industry for 50 consecutive years, second only to Los Angeles Dodgers Radio Network announcer Vin Scully. Perfect for elementary students, homeschoolers, and libraries! Orion through his work ethic, knowledge and personality had earned the respect of the people there and that helped me immensely when I came on board, he said. In the world of agriculture, Orion Samuelson is a rock star, and to Orion tonight we say, "Happy Birthday!" Orion has been on WGN Radio for more than 53 of his 80 years, so WGN's Steve. Samuelson was born on a dairy farm in Ontario, Wisconsin, near LaCrosse. Obviously the highlight of my career is the opportunity to work with farmers, ranchers and food producers because theyre my favorite people, he said. And yes, those programs often started and ended with an Ole and Lena joke. He went one further when he got Orion into public speaking contests. Shes a beautiful lady and a beautiful partner, he says. [10][11] In 2014 he was awarded the VERITAS award by American Agri-Women (AAW) Organization. At the time, Samuelson credited 4-H with igniting his passion for agriculture and his first experiences with public speaking, ultimately leading to his broadcasting career. Both shows aired on 190 Midwest stations[7] via first-run syndication. Youve educated a lot of people though, havent you? During his over 60 years as a farm broadcaster, Samuelson interviewed nine presidents and traveled to 44 countries. His grandparents were Norwegian immigrants, and the first time Orion made his way to Norway, the spot his grandparents chose to homestead made more sense: steep hills with buildings carved into them. Monticello, Ind., farmer Brian Scott says his grandpa said the same thing after nearly every lunch: Orion said . Max Armstrong was named an Honorary Master Farmer in 2018 by Prairie Farmer Magazine. All rights reserved. Three years into his tenure at WGN, he was the staffer that read the news of the John F. Kennedy assassination. His early work was based in Wisconsin, at WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. Orions realm is in the city with the movers and shakers.. U.S. Farm Report continued without Samuelson after his departure. On New Year's Day 2017, Orion will be alongside the Rose Parade route to co-host with Pam Minick RFD-TV's live coverage of the parade on January 1. CHICAGO (December 17, 2020) - WGN Radio announced that reporter Steve Alexander will assume responsibilities from agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson beginning in January. On the lighter side, Samuelson and a studio group dubbed the "Uff da Band" once recorded covers of Yogi Yorgesson's novelty songs I Yust Go Nuts at Christmas and Yingle Bells. I start speeches generally by saying, who would have thought that a cow milker from Wisconsin would meet nine presidents and any number of secretaries of agriculture and would write a book and would be a broadcaster for all of these years? He also serves on the Farm Foundation Bennett Round Table, and is a former member of the board of the Agriculture Future of America, the Board of Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, the board of directors of the Foods Resource Bank, a former trustee of the Cornerstone Foundation of Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and a former member of the board of trustees of the National 4-H Council. [1] He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Famein 2003. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. So, its one of those what might have been stories but I value my relationship with my wife, Orion says, laughing. The president of WGN who believed firmly in serving the audience beyond Chicago out into the farmland of the Midwest didnt want a break in the farm broadcast coverage, Samuelson said. In 2017, Max Armstrong was elected President of the NAFB. I think I should be able to, he quipped last week. Orion's net worth hovers over $250,000 - $499,999 with a yearly income that's about $175 - 199,999. Their operation includes 125 head of commercial cows in a cow/calf operation. Samuelson: The biggest change, besides technology, it would be the fact that agriculture is international because when I started in the business, South America, Brazil, wasnt even in the soybean situation. Thats why I titled my book, You Cant Dream Big Enough, Samuelson said about his book published in 2012. Sun-Times editor Chris Fusco leaving for California news startup, My childhood dream became the honor of a lifetime, Robservations: Sun-Times moving to Old Post Office; ABC 7 opens weekend anchor slot; Medill tracks local news decline, Robservations: StreetWise raises cover price; Sventoonie takes a break; Friends of Chicago Reporter mark 50. Orion Samuelson is a 89 years old American broadcaster from . Orion Samuelson(/rin/OR-ee-n; born March 31, 1934) is a retired American broadcaster, known for his agriculture broadcasts and his ability to explain agribusinessand food production in an understandable way. The warmth, concern and attention to every need is nothing short of outstanding, she wrote. It feels like a fairy tale! Orion C Samuelson, 89 - Huntley, IL - Reputation & Contact Details Samuelson held the same position in the broadcasting industry for 60 consecutive years through 2020,[9] second only to Los Angeles Dodgers Radio Network announcer Vin Scully. That mildly understated assessment launched the phenomenally successful WGN career that Orion is now retiring from, 60 years later. [6], During the 1960s, Samuelson hosted an early-morning show on WGN-TV, Top 'O' the Morning, first with organist Harold Turner, then with Max Armstrong. Farm Progress Show annually hosts more than 600 exhibitors displaying new farm equipment, tractors, combines and farm implements; seed and crop protection products; and many additional farm supplies and services. It is the dying refrain of a completed song, the final verse of a finished poem.Andr Maurois (18851967). And I cant write. While at WGN radio in Chicago, the "Big O"covered agriculture and food production, met with U.S. presidents, travelled to dozens of countries, and encountered many foreign dignitaries, all while reporting on the contributions of American agriculture to the U.S. and world economy. Samuelsen died Saturday night at the age of 48, surroundedby McDonald and their three children. The result: casts, wheelchairs and crutches. And it, I think, became pretty well known to most people that agriculture was indeed a contributor to the nations income. And trust. Orion spent one Sunday at then-Rep. Denny Hasterts house, running through the possibilities. Orion Samuelson has 1 sibling. Manage Settings [14], In 2014 the CME Group and the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Foundation announced the inaugural recipient of the Orion Samuelson Scholarship ($5,000) for a senior at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Holly frequently speaks to a variety of groups and organizations, sharing the heart, soul and science of agriculture. Dont make a mountain out of this lets wait and see what weve got was his approach to crises large and small. Since July 2009, Armstrong has been director of broadcasting for Farm Progress. Why? Get an exclusive peek behind the scenes of The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination. Chronology It took me about two weeks to decide to accept the WGN job and it scares me to think it took that long to join a station like WGN, said Samuelson, who retired from WGN on Dec. 31. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. Published in La Salle, Illinois, USA, by Shaw Media. At 97.1, which he joined in 2012, he first co-hosted with News columnist Bob Wojnowski for four years, and since 2016 he has worked with Mike Stone. Orion Samuelson - Wikipedia On September 26, 1960, Orion Samuelson joined WGN Radio. They plan to divide their time between homes in west suburban Huntley and Scottsdale, Arizona. He is best known for his association with WGN Radio in Chicago, serving as the station's head agriculture broadcaster since 1960. Samuelsen missed significant time over the last month as the diagnosis got worse. CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) One of the most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this month. Farm Progress is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC. In addition, the farm broadcaster also met several stars including Sophia Loren, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association. Samuelson: No, I didnt, but, circumstances, leg disease that made it impossible to do heavy work. They had a lot of misconceptions about the role food producers play in our economy and our society, Samuelson said. Orion Samuelson started his career at WGN Radio in September 1960, when the presidential election involved Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. American agricultural broadcast journalist, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Christmas Eve air check from Radio Hall of Fame, "Robservations: WGN Radio names Steve Alexander to succeed Orion Samuelson - Robert Feder", "Legendary agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson on 60 years", "President Trump makes surprise phone call during Decatur Farm Progress Show", "Radio Hall of Fame - Orion Samuelson, Farm Broadcaster", "WGN's Orion Samuelson to have heart surgery", "Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation Board of Directors", "CME Group and NAFB Foundation to Award First-Ever Orion Samuelson Scholarship for Agricultural Communications", "Orion Samuelson to retire after 60 years at WGN Radio", "Laureates by Year - The Lincoln Academy of Illinois", Legendary agribusiness broadcaster Orion Samuelson on 60 years, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Orion_Samuelson&oldid=1105630782, Short description is different from Wikidata, BLP articles lacking sources from May 2008, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Orion Samuelson was inducted as a Laureate of, This page was last edited on 21 August 2022, at 02:59. DePue: I must tell you that I've got a military background. Everyone loved him the engineers and everyone behind the scenes, he describes. Thats why I tell young people today to learn everything you can about everything and youll always have a job, Samuelson said. It would also be the last first day Orion Samuelson would ever have. He didnt find what he as looking for there, though, and within a few weeks, he transferred to the American Institute of the Air in Minneapolis, a six-month program that promised a radio broadcasting certificate. Samuelson: And I did! The Wisconsin farm boy got a lot of surprises in Chicago, including flattened tires for parking in the wrong spot and a missed market report or two, thanks to slow elevators in the Tribune Tower. [2], Many of those living in the Midwest over the past six decades remember the big, booming voice of Orion Samuelson that explained the business of agriculture and food production in an understandable way. Orion Samuelson was just 27 years old when he made his way up North Michigan Avenue, striding toward the Tribune Tower. Sirott: Orion, judging by all the listeners whove been calling us in the morning, people dont care how old you are. Samuelsen was a native of suburban San Francisco and attended college at Northwestern, before arriving in Detroit. Orion Samuelson, 86, informed his bosses he'll retire at the end of the year. We would talk about the European Community and the blocks that were put up against our products. If someone brought Orion fresh sweet corn or asparagus, he shared it with the engineers. The disease told my father who probably would have passed the farm on to me, but it told him that I couldnt do the heavy work of farming so I better find something else. [7] The induction ceremony took place on May 27, 2016, where Armstrong was honored along with 6 others. Its been quite a career, Samuelson said. Last night, apropos of little to nothing, one of the hosts intoned that The New York Times and The Washington Post were far too left-wing for her to read. He called the manager of the station in Green Bay and said he was going to try to steal his farm director.. Orion Samuelson started his career at WGN Radio in September 1960, when the presidential election involved Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. One newscaster spent a week fathering Orion through three floors of studios, until he knew where to go and when to be there. At Purdue University, Armstrong received honors as an "Old Master" in 2005 and was recognized as a "Noted Alumnus" in the 2009 'Facts at Your Fingertips.' Chicago radio legend Orion Samuelson is out of intensive care and recovering from heart-valve replacement surgery, his wife said Wednesday. Samuelson: It took me and I still cant believe this, but it took me two weeks to make the decision that I would leave Green Bay and go to Chicago, because Im a country boy. But mainly, hes told agricultures story from downtown Chicago, where he became a media icon and a beloved hall of fame broadcaster. "Well go back and forth to Arizona and not have to worry about setting the alarm clock and making sure Im ready for the next report," he said. Over the past six decades, Samuelson said, he has worked with some of the greatest broadcast people, including Wally Phillips, Bob Collins and Spike ODell. The family farm includes Johns parents and their three children. [1] He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2003. On December 9th 2010 the southwest corner of E. Illinois Street & N. Cityfront Plaza Drive was named 'Orion Samuelson Way' by the city of Chicago. Once Samuelson started his job at WGN, it didnt take him long to realize that urban people didnt understand farmers or ranchers. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Group Inc. | All Rights Reserved. TROY, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - A Lake Orion man hit the pavement this weekend to run a marathon for a great cause to give back to Henry Ford Health. CHICAGO ( NewsNation Now) One of the most famous voices in radio will end a remarkable 60-year career later this month. In 2001, Samuelson was named a Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois and received the Lincoln Medal the highest award bestowed by the State of Illinois. Not even Earl Butz had this kind of name recognition. She was named an AAEA Master Writer in 2005. Kathryn Samuelson, Judith Samuelson, Gloria Samuelson, James Warren and Lois Long, and many others are family members and associates of Orion. Memorials may be made to Heartland. "Thank you for loving Jamie and celebrating the goodness in him," McDonald wrote on Twitter. And while Orion has covered 19 different secretaries of agriculture and eight presidents, and even dined at the White House, he nearly became a candidate himself for about four days back in 2007. I dont ever remember working on a style, he says, but I never took my voice for granted. Orions stories of growing up on the family dairy in Ontario, Wis., are familiar to listeners: 30 milk cows, six sows, 200 chickens, 200 acres but only 90 tillable. WGN Radio personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a trip down memory lane. She currently serves on the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, the U of I Agricultural Communications Advisory committee, and is an advisory board member for the U of I College of ACES Research Station at Monmouth. These days, Orion is dialing back obligations and busy recovering from back surgery. Sirott: Anyone living in the Midwest over the past six decades knows that great, big, booming voice of yours. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. He broadcasts live from the show, then walks around and does reports in front of a video camera. Orion Samuelson was just 27 years old when he made his way up North Michigan Avenue, striding toward the Tribune Tower. Having trouble filling a prescription? U.S. agricultural journalist to earn the Writer of Merit designation and is a five-time winner of the top writing award for editorial opinion in U.S. agriculture. Her quick thinking and determination got him into surgery and saved his life and his voice. On the eve of his 60th anniversary as the booming voice of agriculture and business at WGN 720-AM, Orion Samuelson says it's time to retire from the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station. Like regular Orion, Air Orion will retire soon, too. "The American Farmer's Best Friend for Over Sixty Years" tells about his humble beginnings on a Wisconsin dairy farm and how his big dreams led to a Hall of Fame career in broadcasting, travels to 43 countries, dinner at the White House and, most importantly, the trust of the h He was also on President Ronald Reagans short list for secretary of agriculture, which ultimately ended in John Blocks selection. "When I made the drive in my 1949 blue Chrysler New Yorker 60 years ago, I was very uncertain about what I was getting into, because I was a farm kid [thinking], What will I do in the big city?. I can recall the volume going up and our little voices being muted in my grandpas truck when Orion came on. Young Orion was a tall kid headed for the basketball team the summer before high school when he was afflicted with a rare disease known as Legg-Perthes disease. Happy Birthday to radio legend Orion Samuelson | WGN-TV 'It's been quite a career': Samuelson retires after 60 - AgriNews Lions head coach Matt Patricia, on his own, called into 97.1 on Monday morning to share his sympathies. The first is a short musical number (in thirty-two-bar form) in which Yogi shops for his wife and, considering buying a nightgown for his wife but not knowing her size, opts to buy her a carpet sweeper as his gift to her. An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. "The Big O," as he's known around the station, will continue to deliver five or six daily business reports for WGN until he hangs up the mic and rides off into the sunset with his wife Gloria. Like the farmers hes served all these years, Orion celebrated that last first day on the job long ago. And I think, what am I doing standing here? USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue recently honored Samuelson with a proclamation heralding the broadcaster's long career in ag journalism. He will retire from WGNs airwaves on Dec. 31. Read full biography, Yes, Orion Samuelson is still alive Farm Report in 1975 andThis Week in AgriBusinessin 2005. in 2005. He has two children. Jamie Samuelsen's wife, local TV personality Christy McDonald, thanked friends and fans for the significant outpouring of support in the days since Samuelson died from colon cancer. Please help me find a news bloopers with Orion Samuelson
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