I was a Freshman at DrakeUniversityin 1959, was finished with orientation, enrolled in a full class schedule and heard from my folks (Dad and Mom owned Weddle Hardware then) that Nikita Khrushchev was coming to Coon Rapids to visit Roswell "Bob" Garst and the Garst Farm. I thought that pretty neat for a littleIowa farm community and called my folks and said I was going to try to get back for that visit. Then I had an idea that I thought would make the trip an official one and not result in an absence already in my first semester. I spoke to my Radio-TV Professor, Dr. Jim Duncan, and told him about the upcoming trip and if I could do an interview for the Khrushchev visit rather than the boring subject he had given me which to this day I do not even remember. I promised I will interview the Russian Premier and bring back the interview the next week to the Drake RTV class and report it to all. Jim was a great teacher AND good guy and gave me permission to be absent. So, I hopped the bus from Des Moines on September 22, 1959 and as we drove Highway #141 and got to the outskirts of Coon Rapids, there were what I learned later were Secret Service folks everywhere. The big bridge that went to the Bob Garst Farm was blocked, people and press seemed to be all over the town. Settling in that night at our home on 4th Street, I lay awake that night wondering HOW the heck am I going to get to the Farm House and fulfill the promise to my Professor? Next morning I got up and, with a youthful thought of just doing it headed south of town for the farm. Once I got near the bridge I realized they would probably not let me through as I was sure the security people would be the ones to stop me, not the Garst family or employees. How to do it? Then when I got to the bridge there was the answer; the Des Moines Register and Tribune distributor was standing with about 25 newspapers and I asked if I could buy them. He said, sure and I did. Then I walked to the first security person and said I had to take the papers to the Garst House for the media and VIPs. He let me through. Phew, first challenge completed. I walked across the bridge and came to a major crowd of people near the house and contemplated my next action and, I think, it was about Noon that the caravan of cars started arriving from Des Moines with politicians, Khrushchev, military guards, press shooting photographs and cameras clicking everywhere. It was quite awhile before I saw Mr. Garst with Mr. Khrushchev, and, when I did, I walked up close to them and his interpreter (I soon learned he was more important than anybody else to me as I certainly knew no more Russian than Nyet and that was not what I wanted to say). Thank goodness Bob Garst knew a lot of us Coon Rapids kids. As I moved over to him and said, "Hi Mr. Garst, I am a Freshman at Drake and I sure would like to ask Premier Khrushchev a few questions for a report for my Radio-TV class. Would that be OK?" He said, "Denny, lets see what Mr. Khrushchev says," and turned to the Interpreter and asked, and he immediately asked the Premier. He nodded yes and I stepped forward. As I recall I was able to get 5-6 questions answered from:
- How does Iowa farmland compare with that in the Soviet Union?
- What do you hope to gain with your visit?
- Did you know, because of Garst and Thomas, we are the largest seed-corn processing plant in the world? ( I had been told that and hoped it was true--he was impressed) and he shook Bobs hand after the interpreter advised him of that fact.
- After you receive all of the farming information/tourshow, do you bring that success and increased crop production to your country?
I dont remember the other questions I asked with answers translated back to me from the Premier to Interpreter, but I soon realized I had had great answers, gotten nearly 8 minutes of interview and ACHIEVED my goal. Thanking all three I almost kicked up my heels anxious to put my sloppy left-handed notes to a typewriter and a pretty good chance a reflection of the interview for my Radio-TV class. That I did that night on my folks typewriter. Then the next week I was back at Drake where I could not wait to do my report. It worked out so great, I got an A and Dr. Duncan told the class thats the way to do an interview. Yea, but only because of the kindness of Bob Garst did it happen, and every time I told anybody this historic story I have given thanks for allowing it to happen. To the Garst Family, I again say thank you; it made for a very special event and time in my life.
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