Turkeyfest 2013

Each year, a turkey racing team from Worthington, Minnesota travels to Cuero, Texas to race its coveted turkey, Paycheck, against its Texan rival, Ruby Begonia, in a tradition steeped in history and folklore.

For more information, check out Advocate reporter, Elena Watts' story here.

Clayton Lantz, right, carries Ruby Begonia after winning the race at Turkeyfest in Cuero, Texas on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013.

Paycheck, left, from Minnesota, and Ruby Begonio, from Cuero, wait to be transported to the start line for their race at Turkeyfest in Cuero, Texas on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013.

Erwin Rath, of Cuero, sports his Ruby Begonia shirt at Turkeyfest in Cuero, Texas on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013.

Ruby Begonia Race Team members, from left, Clint Clark, Mary Beth Finney, Terri Warwas and Clayton Lantz run towards the finish line at Turkeyfest in Cuero, Texas on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013.

Miss Cuero 2013 Contestants wait for the start of the turkey race between Ruby Begonia and Paycheck at Turkeyfest in Cuero, Texas on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013.

Annette and Erwin Rath, of Cuero, are awarded for their combined 32 years of service to Turkeyfest in Cuero, Texas on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013.

Members of the Paycheck racing team and the Ruby Begonia racing team celebrate together after the conclusion of the race.

An inflatable turkey rides through Cuero, Texas at Turkeyfest on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013.

Preparing for the Whooping Cranes

On a recent Saturday, I spent the day tromping around the swamplands off the coast of Rockport, Texas with a group of volunteers who came out to prepare the land for the arrival of the whooping crane.

Click here to read my article on the day and to see more photos.

Coping With Dementia

Mary Ann and Ernest Zepeda have been happily married for over 50 years. The past four years have been a struggle, however, as Ernest's mind slips further and further away as a result of Alzheimer's disease. I recently spent an afternoon with the couple as they shared memories-- or at least, for Ernest, what was left of them.

Mary Ann Zepeda, of Victoria, looks through old photo albums with her husband, Ernest, at their home in Victoria, Texas on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013.

For four years, Ernest Zepeda has struggled with dementia and the onset of Alzheimer's disease. His wife, Mary Ann, first became concerned when Mr. Zepeda seemed transfixed by hallucinations of people hiding in the bushes in the couple's backyard.

Since Mr. Zepeda's diagnosis, Mrs. Zepeda has sought support from church groups as well as educational books and DVD's on Alzheimer's disease.

Mary Ann and Ernest Zepeda walk through their living room at their home in Victoria, Texas on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013.

Since Mr. Zepeda's diagnosis, Mrs. Zepeda has taken full responsibility for his care.

Old cassette tapes line the wall at the Zepeda family's home in Victoria, Texas.

Despite Mr. Zepeda's deteriorating condition, he still finds time to play music, something he did professionally in the 1960's and '70's.

Victoria Advocate | October 4, 2013

Single: Boot Fest

Last weekend, fellow photographer at the Victoria Advocate, Mason Trinca, and I, photographed Victoria's largest annual festival over the course of a few days. The event, which took place at DeLeon Plaza in the heart of Victoria, drew thousands of people from neighboring counties to partake in a fun two days of live music, food and games. Check out our gallery by clicking here.

Trace Laza, 4, of Bloomington, rolls around in his blue inflatable ball at the Water Ball pool put on by No Fear Sports at Bootfest in Victoria, Texas on Friday, Oct. 4, 2013.

"I Treat These Kids Like They're My Own": Victoria Advocate (multimedia)

Ian Terry | iterry@vicad.com