This 64-page high-resolution, glossy magazine, published in 2022, breathed some new life into an old section, and it features several longer magazine-style feature packages. For it being our first such undertaking for the local newspapers, I was rather pleased with the results. It includes several of pieces I wrote and photographed, including:
• Form vs. Function, a story about how an artist found new inspiration in her retired life to fire up her potter’s wheel and create objects that are catching the attention of our nation’s largest and most prestigious art shows and exhibitions.
• Back Where It All Began, a story about a filmmaker who journeys back for the first time in 45 years to visit perhaps the most famous little brewery in Texas, a place that helped earn our wary traveler an Academy Award win all those years ago.
• Golden Anniversary, a piece about a handful country boys who moved to the city and became big-time polka band, 50 years ago.
• Here’s Your (Beer) Sign, the cover story of our magazine about a country bar owner who’s amassed a treasure trove of classic beer signs and memorabilia.
• Hallettsville Barnstormers, about how a group of old pilots—much like the pilots of old once did when planes were still a relatively new invention—are working to rekindle interest young people’s interests in aviation, one a flight at a time.
Riders of the River
They may seem right out of the Old West, but truth is, these fellows are our real first line of defense against invading terrorists. If you’ve ever eaten a hamburger, they are, anyway. This won AFBF’s Best News Story in 2009.
Mexico & Costa Rica
Just as Texas livestock officials stopped a load of Canadian cattle bound for Mexico at the Rio Grande, livestock leaders from the Lone Star State headed south into Central America to meet with their counterparts, meetings that ended a near decade-long ban on live cattle trade from the United States.
Voter Turnout Editorial
Ever get sick and tired of people bragging about something that ain’t all that? I did. Then I wrote this. I’ve seen it pirated a few times now, but it managed to catch the Texas Press Association’s eye for Best Editorial in 2005.
Triumph Over Tragedy
But every once in a while, it can be so much more. Published in Texas Agriculture, the Waco Trib and by The Associated Press.
Dry Times, Hard Times
AFBF’s BEST VIDEO NEWS STORY 2009:
Originally aired on the RFD-TV Network Produced and narrated by Texas Farm Bureau’s Ed Wolff with writing, interviews, and videography by Bobby Horecka.
It wound being the most costly drought in Texas history, but sometimes it’s not so much the money involved as it is the people. This story, it’s video companion and the website they launched won a trio of AFBF bests in 2009.
Beach Trip Tragedy Hits Home
It’s not every day one finds poetry on a news page, but for this particular story, it just seemed appropriate. I wrote this piece while serving as managing editor in Sealy, TX, USA. It got voted Texas Press Association’s Best News Story in 2005.
Staring Down the Storm
Hurricane Ike put a hurt on the Lone Star State back when he blew through, shutting the lights out on nearly half Texas for at least week. But none had it near as dark as one young county agent, fresh out of college, still finding his way around the new job, and leery as hell of a redneck reporter who arrived on his stoop one day. He later told me they read these words when they named him agent of year in College Station…
WhatAStory!
Sometimes all you need is a good burger to get right with the world. I didn’t write this but I’m proud to say, it was written about me in Forbes.
Bobby Horecka, Author 
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