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Russian Visitors Tour Cowboy County,
September 1996

Cay Ecklund - Exchange Director

What wears a battered cowboy hat and rides a horse? An ambassador from Moscow, visiting a working ranch in Nebraska. 

After spending the first week of the exchange in Omaha, 33 ambassadors ranging from 13 to 67 met their Lincoln hosts at Mahoney State Park the morning of October 1. The welcome party at the Apothecary Building penthouse featured international desserts provided by Lincoln club members. A total of 22 host families from the Lincoln area were involved in the exchange. 

The next morning, all but three of the ambassadors plus ten Lincoln club members boarded the Good Life tour bus for a two-day trip to "Cowboy Country." The first stop was Pioneer Village at Minden. "This is not like the museums in Moscow," said some of the guests. They wandered through the collection of old automobiles, farm equipment, and furniture for the rest of the morning, then had their first buffalo burgers at the Pioneer Village Cafe. Highlights included the weaving demonstration and the sod house. Many of us recognized items we had grown up with among the collection, prompting us to wonder just which of us were the antiques! 

Another hour to the west was the Half Box I Ranch, operated by George and Sondi Smith and their family. The Smiths and their neighbors demonstrated cutting, roping, branding, and other ranch activities. Gosper County Extension Agent Gary Hall was there to welcome all of the visitors. In addition to horses and cattle, the Smiths raise ostriches. Fragments of ostrich egg shell painted with the outline of Nebraska with a star marking the location of the Half Box I Ranch made one-of-a-kind souvenirs, along with purple ribbons from the county fair. A few of the Russian ambassadors had a turn around the riding arena on horses, and all gathered for a group photo featuring pickup truck, horse trailer, and tractor. 

We had a "church basement dinner" at Faith Methodist Church in Kearney, where church members joined us as hosts at each table for the lasagna dinner. We were treated to an impromptu songfest when we stopped in to observe choir practice, and the ambassadors were invited to sing. The evening progressed to more singing as Kearney residents joined our group for revelry and inter-cultural conversations in the lounge at the Fort Kearney Inn. 

On Thursday morning, after a buffet breakfast, we visited the museum and the IMAX Theater at Hastings. Several of the ambassadors were so impressed with the film The American West that they bought more tickets and stayed for the other feature, Ring of Fire, which dealt with the volcanic activity around the Pacific rim. A special showing at the planetarium, complete with Russian translation, prompted many questions from both ambassadors and hosts. 

Although no formal activities were scheduled over the weekend, several families visited Nebraska City, where a Civil War reenactment was under way at Arbor Lodge. More than 300 hobbyist soldiers played the parts of Union and Confederate troops in a half-hour skirmish, and 13 cannon added to the din. This was the ultimate photo opportunity, and the Muscovites posed with Rebel hats and Union muskets! The Lied Conference Center and more outlet shopping made for a full day. Back-up hosts Larry and Joyce Kunkel filled in for hosts with a family emergency, and hosted some of the young ambassadors at a party at their Capitol Beach home. 

The last day in Lincoln was "official day" with visits to the State Capitol and the City-County Building. Speaker Ron Witham presented honorary Nebraska citizenships, and the group viewed Lincoln from the 12th floor of the Capitol tower. Mayor Mike Johanns added new citizens to Lincoln's tax rolls, and presented a key to the city to Exchange Director Vladimir Oulianov. The last stop was Lancaster County Court, where they saw the judicial system in action in Judge McGinn's courtroom. 

The farewell party included turkey with all the trimmings. The songs, Russian lessons, and exchange of presents between the clubs meant even more now that we had new friends and memories to share. Tuesday morning was departure time from Eppley Airport, where some of the Omaha hosts gathered to say a last good-bye to our guests. 

The Moscow ambassadors took with them a part of our hearts, and left behind memories which we will always treasure. With 33 ambasadors and 21 host families, we will have a record number of friendships from a truly memorable exchange!