Finding Home Through Service

Portrait of Boerne Police Officer Eduardo Murillo in tactical uniform, illuminated by dramatic blue lighting and smoke, featured in the Hope for Heroes article by Jonathan Mallard for The Kendall Gentleman.

For Officer Eduardo Murillo, service has always been tied to responsibility. Long before he wore a badge in Kendall County, he was learning what it meant to protect and serve through military service, volunteer work, and helping people in crisis. Murillo was born in San Pedro, Mexico, before his family relocated to Del Rio, Texas … Read more

BetterMENt: Before It Becomes a Memory

Blurred hallway scene with silhouetted figures walking through a school corridor at sunset, symbolizing uncertainty, growth, and the emotional challenges of young adulthood.

It’s strange how life speeds up without asking for permission. One moment, I was a freshman walking into high school for the first time, unsure of everything, where my classes were, who I would sit with at lunch, or even who I was going to become. I remember standing in the hallway, trying to act … Read more

Find a Way: The Making of Jordan Ballin

Portrait of Jordan Ballin standing with arms crossed under dramatic blue and amber lighting, featured as the cover story subject for The Kendall Gentleman.

In Kendall County, people don’t hand out respect easily. They’ll notice talent. They’ll show up on a Friday night and watch a kid throw it, hit it, or run past everybody on the field. But respect is a different transaction. It takes time, and it usually comes down to one question that nobody asks out … Read more

Felipe and the Schwarz Field

Sepia-toned interior of a vintage Buick automobile with worn dashboard and steering wheel, evoking memories of early Boerne, Texas and small-town life in Kendall County.

Published in 2011, the late John Eddie Vogt’s book, Witches, Bitches, and Other Small Town Folks, brings to life the quirky, unforgettable, and entertaining tales of growing up and living in Kendall County from the 1930s through the 1960s. Thanks to the gracious permission of his family, The Kendall Gentleman is honored to share excerpts … Read more

Maybe So

Horses walking through a fog-covered pasture at sunrise, symbolizing patience, perspective, and the quiet unfolding of life’s seasons.

I was introduced to this story years ago by a dear family friend, Jackie Cargill. Jackie was one of those steady people every town hopes to have…thoughtful, respected, and committed to making things better. In Brownfield, he served in leadership in many ways, and on April 29, 1997, while serving as Development Director, he wrote … Read more

Cinco de Mayo 2026

Cinco de Mayo limited edition cigar paired with a bottle of Tierra-Noble tequila on a colorful Mexican serape blanket, celebrating South Texas and Mexican culture.

Rojas Cigars is a boutique line of cigars that is based in Richardson, Texas. The company was founded by Noel Rojas, an immigrant from Cuba, and is famous for its unique cigar line named “street tacos”. The cigar line includes the always delicious barbacoa, the carnitas, and the recently introduced al pastor cigar. The barbacoa … Read more

What You Do Next

Michael G. Ethridge standing inside a welding shop beneath a sign reading “The Best Welders In The World Pass Through This Shop,” reflecting craftsmanship, discipline, and leadership.

There’s a certain kind of lie a man tells himself that doesn’t sound like a lie at all. It sounds responsible. It sounds patient. It sounds like he’s thinking things through. He tells himself that once things settle down, once the schedule opens up, once the timing is right, that’s when he’ll get serious. About … Read more

The Pecos River and The Starlight Canvas

Man in a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses holds up a large bass beside a kayak in a shallow, green river canyon scene.

I have done my best to explain how unforgiving the terrain is. I have emphasized the uncomfortable fact that there is only one way in and one way out. Rain or shine, cold northern winds or hot, stale summer air, we have no control. The realities of an excursion like this have been conveyed to … Read more

August Hoffman (1843–1862): A Young Freethinker’s Final Journey

Solitary tree on a grassy hill at sunset with a colorful sky behind it, silhouettes of branches spread wide.

Correction and Retraction: This article previously indicated that August Hoffmann died in the 1862 Nueces Massacre (also known as the Battle of the Nueces). Subsequent research has confirmed that August Hoffmann survived that tragic event and went on to live a long and productive life, contributing significantly to the growth and development of Comfort and … Read more