Samuelson: Thats probably one of the biggest compliments I get from city listeners in Chicago or suburbs or other cities who say, I didnt know what soybeans were. WGN Radio personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a trip down memory lane. Gloria Samuelson may get the biggest credit of all: saving Orions life. The Radio Hall of Famer had said he hoped to be back on WGN in time to celebrate his 55th anniversary with the station September 25. There was a time we were doing 190 broadcasts per week on WGN Radio and the television show, This Week in AgriBusiness, so we were busy boys.. 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. Samuelson began his broadcasting career in Wisconsin and will officially sign off from his job at WGN radio in Chicago. 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. Perfect for elementary students, homeschoolers, and libraries! They dont want you to retire. It was a good first day on the job. Fox says disease is getting tougher, These were the deadliest national parks of 2022, List of most expensive ZIP codes released, These are the cheapest days of the week to buy gas, Correspondents Dinner requires balance: Comics, Oklahoma students attend star-studded Christian revival, Expert: Some bright spots in spring housing market, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Related:Orion Samuelson: Explaining agriculture to ChicagoHow Orion became beloved in agricultureWhat Orion means on the farmMax on Orion: Champion for the American farmer. He will retire from WGNs airwaves on Dec. 31. Around the same time, the vocational-agriculture teacher from school showed up on the Samuelsons doorstep, offering to bring Orions schoolwork out a couple of times a week and help him stay on pace with classmates. An award-winning writer and photographer, Holly is past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. Thats why I titled my book, You Cant Dream Big Enough, Samuelson said about his book published in 2012. Enjoy the next phase of your life. Autobiography of Orion "Big O" Samuelson, radio broadcaster on WGN in Chicago for over 50 years. "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 hard working men and . The pair were married in 2001. [3] He considered becoming a Lutheran pastor before deciding on six months of radio school. Sirott: Orion, judging by all the listeners whove been calling us in the morning, people dont care how old you are. 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. Bush, who invited me to join him at the White House studio for the interview.. [1] He produces and hosts the Farm Progress America and Max Armstrongs Midwest Digest daily radio programs. "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 loved a wicked joke, a good game & a strong gimlet. That is unheard of in this industry., Field Editor's Blog @AgNews_Doran: Best wishes to Orion in his retirement https://t.co/abTEj8w1v7. Orion says he tried to pass along two pieces of advice to his children: Always be honest in what you do, and speak your thoughts, but dont let politics or religion destroy relationships. But mainly, hes told agricultures story from downtown Chicago, where he became a media icon and a beloved hall of fame broadcaster. Orion Samuelson was born on a dairy farm in Ontario, Wisconsin, near LaCrosse. 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. It was devastating. His early work was based in Wisconsin, at WKLJ in Sparta, WHBY in Appleton, and WBAY-TV/AM in Green Bay. Cause I didnt think I was very important and then somebody said 60 years. Reverence, always. The second is a parody of the poem " A Visit from Saint Nicholas ." WGN Radios Orion Samuelson has graced airwaves throughout the heartland in places across the Midwest and beyond. [6], In 2016, Armstrong earned a plaque on the WGN Radio Walk of Fame in Chicago. Samuelson, 81, veteran agriculture-business. 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. Heres how the Chicago media icon has told agricultures story. Orion Samuelson AIS-V-L-2009-002 3 those sermons, never thinking that I'd someday be working (laughs) in the same studios that the Colonel was in. Read full biography, Yes, Orion Samuelson is still alive Max Armstrong was named an Honorary Master Farmer in 2018 by Prairie Farmer Magazine. And he championed the farmers cause. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Orion and his first wife adopted two children, David and Katheryn. Sirott: When you were growing up in Wisconsin, did you have ambitions to be a broadcaster? 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. And then you start dreaming. It feels like a fairy tale! Monticello, Ind., farmer Brian Scott says his grandpa said the same thing after nearly every lunch: Orion said . 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. As for why his listeners love him so, Max has a few ideas: Orion is reliable, credible and accurate. Orions high standards of reporting, thought leadership, articulate expression and caring spirit continue to help energize and guide me in my professional interests, and in my life, Evans says. Parent PLUS loans offer limited relief options but some borrowers can still access lower monthly payments, loan forgiveness and more. In 1954, he moved to WHBY in Appleton, Wis., to be the nighttime announcer, and by 1956, Orion had secured his first position as a farm broadcaster at WBAY in Green Bay, Wis. At WBAY, he crossed paths with a fellow ag communicator named Jim Evans, who would go on to found the agricultural communications program at the University of Illinois. The first was the cancellation of the network broadcast in 1952. 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. Her work in agricultural media has been recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Corn, Illinois Council on Agricultural Education and MidAmerica Croplife Association. She was named an AAEA Master Writer in 2005. The show moved to Chicago's WGN-AM, with Orion Samuelson as the show's host, until it finally left the air in 1968. Orion Samuelson, American broadcaster Country: United States Birthday: March 31, 1934 Age : 89 years old Birth Sign : Aries About Biography Orion Samuelson is an American broadcaster most widely known for hosting U. S. Farm Report. Samuelson began his broadcasting career in Wisconsin and will officially sign off from his job at WGN radio in Chicago. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. The family farm includes Johns parents and their three children. Orion tuned in for Bert Wilson calling Cubs games, and he listened to the National Barn Dance every Saturday night on WLS what was then the Prairie Farmer station to hear stars like Gene Autry. Copyright 2022 agrinews-pubs.com. During his over 60 years as a farm broadcaster,. Private burial will be held at Western Township Cemetery. McDonald posted to Twitter on Monday afternoon, her first post since Samuelsen went on the air a week ago and announced his diagnosis and that he'd been battling the disease for 19 months.. In addition to that, Ive interviewed nine presidents, including George H.W. In 2011, Holly was one of 10 recipients worldwide to receive the IFAJ-Alltech Young Leaders in Ag Journalism award. 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. CHICAGO Becoming a successful broadcaster requires the ability to be a good listener. He was honored at the 2010 Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo in Wisconsin Dells. Chicago radio legend Orion Samuelson is out of intensive care and recovering from heart-valve replacement surgery, his wife said Wednesday. 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. DePue: I must tell you that I've got a military background. Feder flashback: So you think you know Chicago television. Well known ag broadcaster Orion Samuelson will retire this month after 60 years in the field. WGN Radio personality Bob Sirott sat down with Samuelson for a trip down memory lane. 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. I saw agriculture through the eyes of my TV cameraman and I had the opportunity to shake hands with people like Fidel Castro and Mikhail Gorbachev, Samuelson said. 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 was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2003. ORION-Richard Duane Samuelson, 93, of Orion, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at his home. Max Armstrong's Tractor App received a Best of NAMA award, along with awards from the American Agricultural Editors' Association and American Web Design awards. Orion Samuelson started his career at WGN Radio in September 1960, when the presidential election involved Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. Last . [1] He was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2003. [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. Number 8860726. He spoke with the president of the United States just as easily as he spoke with a Chinese farmer in a rice paddy or with the kid whod just won champion steer at the state fair. [1] Broadcast History [ edit] Armstrong's first job out of college was for the Illinois Farm Bureau as a Broadcast Editor, which was where he met Orion Samuelson. "So I think Ill find things to do.". 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. Samuelson was inducted into the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame in 2017. From 1975 to 2005, Samuelson was the host of U.S. Farm Report, a weekly television news magazine dedicated to agriculture. He met McDonald when she worked at Fox 2 and was producing for Bill Bonds, and the couple had three children,Caroline, 16, Josh, 14, and Catherine, 11. Sirott: Well, Orion congratulations. updated October 9, 2020 (Her name, can also be written Sun-kil Choi, Sun Kil Choi or Choi Sun-kil but that is not so accurate.) Serving on a three-member board, he hires and promotes full-time firefighters and paramedics for one of the highest-rated (ISO 1) fire service organizations in the United States, the Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District.[11]. 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. Kathryn Samuelson, Judith Samuelson, Gloria Samuelson, James Warren and Lois Long, and many others are family members and associates of Orion. 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. You listen to the radio. Few partnerships in agriculture are as easily recognized as that of Max and Orion again, by first names only. And Im looking at that building, this monument that the man built for his wife. I think whats worked so well for us is that were different enough to really complement each other, Max says. [10][11] In 2014 he was awarded the VERITAS award by American Agri-Women (AAW) Organization. McDonald now is a TV reporter and anchor at Detroit's PBS station. He wouldnt walk again for two years. After all, I am Norwegian. As a farm boy on a milk stool on a cold January morning in a barn in Wisconsin, I could have never dreamed I would have the opportunity to do what Ive done and meet the people Ive met.. You can find a comprehensive archive of his material here. If someone brought Orion fresh sweet corn or asparagus, he shared it with the engineers. There were host farms in northern Illinois that opened on Sundays for consumers to visit, Armstrong said. "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. [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.