Musings of JEV: The Boerne Limited

Old rusty steam locomotive in a train graveyard, black and white photo

The railroad was built through Boerne sometime in 1887. I remember when the train used to come through Boerne every morning at about ten o’clock going north. At the depot, which was located at the east end of Theissen Street, there was an arm that extended out and the crew would attach a mailbag to … Read more

More Than the Medicine

Pete Macias, Kendall County EMS paramedic, in uniform with name badge P. Macias visible

Kendall County EMS paramedic Pete Macias on military medicine, compassionate care, and answering the call For Kendall County EMS paramedic Pedro “Pete” Macias, some of the most important moments in emergency medicine begin when a patient is frightened, vulnerable, and unable to advocate for himself. During a recent call involving a patient with developmental disabilities, … Read more

Faithful in the Small Things

Michael G Ethridge, publisher of The Kendall Gentleman, portrait with American flag backdrop

There are certain words we use so often that they start to lose their edges. “Faithful” is one of them. Most of the time, when we hear the word, our minds go straight to marriage. A faithful husband. A faithful wife. Sometimes we think of church, of being faithful to God, faithful in prayer, faithful … Read more

BetterMENt: The Art of Style

Man in a tailored suit reflecting personal style, BetterMENt column

“Style is very personal. It has nothing to do with fashion. Fashion is over quickly. Style is forever.” – Ralph Lauren The art of being yourself sounds simple, yet many people fall into the trap of trying to keep up with trends – wearing specific brands simply because they are popular. I have never cared … Read more

Grounded in What Matters

Boerne Police Officer Jeffrey Wilson standing in front of his patrol vehicle

Officer Jeffrey Wilson on faith, family, accumulated trauma, and the support that helps first responders keep showing up For Officer Jeffrey Wilson, law enforcement grew from a childhood belief that public service could make a difference. Both of his grandfathers were Green Berets, a cousin served as a police officer, and family friends included a … Read more

Summer Shootout at Inks Lake

Boerne Bass Club members and families at the Summer Shootout tournament at Inks Lake

With the dog days of summer setting in, it can be a grind to do just about anything in the heat. With no breeze to push away the humidity, you can be sweating through your shirt by 9 a.m. – and that is not the most pleasant feeling. But there was one more official fishing … Read more

Peyton Turk: A Destination, Not a Chore

Peyton Turk standing among fish tanks at Red Crest Pet Shop in Boerne, Texas

For nearly three decades, Peyton Turk kept Red Crest Pet Shop alive through illness, debt, competition, and a changing Boerne. Now, as the store winds down, the quiet man behind the counter considers what the place has meant to the families who grew up there. Peyton Turk knew the end would not come all at … Read more

Musings of JEV: Town Water Tank

Vintage photo of the old cypress town water tank on stilts in Boerne, Texas

Uncle Willie’s property was at the far west end of San Antonio Street and now is a subdivision of homes. He had a wooden water tank, that perhaps might still there but probably not. It was rather large, made of cypress and served Willie and Mattie for many years. Willie had bought the tank from … Read more

Knowing What Is Important

Michael G Ethridge, publisher of The Kendall Gentleman, Boerne, Texas

We’re pretty good at keeping score. We count the money in the bank, the years on the job, the square footage of the house, and the names in our phone. We watch numbers rise and fall and let them tell us whether we’re moving forward or falling behind. Somewhere along the way, it gets easy … Read more

The ’64

Los Vista Cigars' The '64 robusto resting on a torch lighter beside cowboy hats and spurs, Boerne, Texas

A few months back, I wrote a piece about the launch of my new brand, Los Vista Cigars. This month I’m going to do a review of one of our cigars, The ’64. The ’64 is a bolder version, but still light, of the cigar I do for weddings and other events. I felt the … Read more