The Couple That Works Together

Among the many smiling faces which can be found in the Platte Valley, perhaps none are more recognizable than those of John and Ciji Bauer.

This young couple can often be found working together at the Saratoga Sandwich Company, one of the four businesses owned by Cassie and Tommy Orduno, where they greet customers with warm smiles. John, or Johnny, particularly stands out as a barista for remembering a customer’s drink order—even if it has been months since they visited the restaurant.

“It’s amazing. It’s probably one of the best jobs I’ve had. Cassie and Tommy [Orduno] are wonderful people to work for. They’re always looking out for our best interests and making sure all the employees are taken care of,” said John. “I think it’s just a really comfortable place to work and I get to see everybody come in everyday and it always brings a smile to my face when I can bring them a good cup of coffee.”

Ciji, meanwhile, can often be found taking food orders. From time to time, both can be found in the back of the house as they help kitchen staff.

While it may seem that the two are long-time Valley natives, they are among the many who have moved to the area and have come to call Saratoga and Encampment home. John moved from California to Encampment in 2008 and to Saratoga in 2010. Ciji moved to Saratoga from Casper in 2011.

“My mom, she just didn’t want to be raising her kids in such a big city, so she brought us here to this little place where she grew up,” said Ciji. “[I] Started going to 7th grade here [and] met Johnny. He was an 8th grader. That was kind of destined, I think.”

While it may have been destined, John and Ciji joked that they were “forbidden” from dating each other in school.

“When we first met each other in high school, we were not allowed to date each other because my best friend really liked him. It was against girl code [for me to date him] so we never dated,” said Ciji. “We still consider ourselves high school sweethearts but we never were together before he came back in 2019.”

Though Ciji graduated from Saratoga Middle High School in 2017, John graduated from high school in California as he moved back and forth between the Cowboy State and the Golden State. And while they may appear to be transplants, the two do have roots in the area.

Through her father’s side, Ciji said she is related to the Goodman and Loftice families of Encampment. Her mother, Arlene Zimmershied, is related to the Henley family.

“She was sent here to live with my Aunt Sharon [Henley]. She did not go to high school here but I think she met my dad, he was going to school in Encampment,” said Ciji. “His name was Kevin Goodman and most of his family lives in Encampment.”

John also has family in Encampment. His father, Eric, lives in Encampment as do his grandparents. His grandmother, Dian Bauer, is perhaps best known as the voice of the annual Copper Days Festival and the Encampment Community Choir.

“We’ve all been here, not forever but quite some time,” said John.

When they’re not serving up coffee, sandwiches, smiles and—occasionally—hugs, John and Ciji like to split their time between playing video games, enjoying the amenities of the Platte Valley and the occasional TikTok dance.

“She’s an avid TikToker,” said John. “She does all the dances and knows all the good music.”

Two of the best amenities of the area, according to the couple, are the hot pool and the North Platte River.

“I believe the river should be getting taken advantage of and getting tubed because it really is like a lazy river through town. There’s lots of fun to be had and lots of good times with your family and kids,” said John. “Whenever people start floating, I see less and less people doing it. So I would recommend people to do that as much as possible.”

Because of how much they love the Valley, John and Ciji hope they can stay in the area for as long as possible. Like many in the Good Times Valley who work in the service industry, housing is a concern for the two of them.

“Everything to buy here is really expensive. We’re hoping that, in the near future, we can look at buying a place or rent a bigger place,” said John. “We really do like staying here and don’t have any plans to up and leave.”

“If we could buy a house, that would solidify it,” added Ciji. “It would be nice to own our own place, too.”