Usjcnoyf, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
I’m traveling today, sending this as I drive to Huntley, Illinois, and the visitation for farm broadcaster, Orion Samuelson. Orion would have turned 91 just before Easter, and he would have wanted all farm broadcasters to proceed as normal today and not putting him in the spotlight.
Well, sorry to disappoint, Orion, but you were anything but normal for your 60 years on the air at WGN. I had many opportunities to work alongside Orion while at RFD-TV, at Farm Progress Show, and the FFA convention. I imagine we’ll see several blue jackets in Huntley, Illinois today.
Many may not know that Orion not only a Farm Broadcaster Hall of Fame, but he’s also in the Radio Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame, and at his induction ceremony, presented by none other than Paul Harvey.
Audio Reporting by Mark Oppold for Southeast AgNet.