When Fire Chief Manny Casarez pinned the firefighter’s badge on his son, it wasn’t just a career milestone – it was the culmination of two decades of service, sacrifice, and purpose. Now leading the Boerne Fire Department, Casarez brings that same spirit of dedication to the Kendall County community every day. Originally drawn to firefighting … Read more
In a world before instant gratification and digital archives, one man in the heart of the Texas Hill Country took it upon himself to ensure that the vibrant, hard-won stories of Kendall County’s past weren’t lost to the winds of time. Meet Albert C. Riedel (1851–1924), a name that might not be on every monument, … Read more
July is when the flags come out – on porches, in parades, on the backs of pickup trucks heading to river crossings and backyard cookouts. We celebrate independence, grit, and a country built by men who weren’t afraid to work hard, speak plainly, and live by conviction. So it seems like the right time to … Read more
I set my alarm for 4:30 am, knowing I will wake up with excitement before it even goes off. Then, the boat ramp anxiety sets in a bit. But all of this is so familiar to me that the love of this sport outweighs the stresses. It’s been almost 8 years now since we met … Read more
Born in San Antonio to a family deeply rooted in military tradition, Collins Martin’s life is a testament to service, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to community. His father and maternal grandfather both served in the U.S. Air Force, and when his grandfather retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the late 1960s, he established a … Read more
As the seasons change and the world around us bursts into life, I find myself reflecting on the concept of purpose. It’s a topic that resonates with many of us, especially as we navigate the responsibilities of work, family, and community. There’s something almost primal about the need to create, to build, and to leave … Read more
Have you ever felt like you were in rut? Day after day of fighting the same battles, living an all too familiar experience over and over again as you move down the road of life. I think that it is fair to say that we all have been there or may even be there at … Read more
Mothers have a way of telling us exactly what we need to hear, even when it is not what we want to hear. For my mother, Scottie Florene Leech, this was her specialty. Scottie could cut through distractions, set the game plan, and make sure we didn’t waste time worrying about the wrong things. Sometimes … Read more
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
In a cluttered workshop buzzing with welding torches and reverberating with the sound of grinders against metal, you’ll find Dorman Vick in his natural element, patiently mentoring his students through sparks and steel. Yet, the journey that brought him to this workshop, becoming a cornerstone of vocational education in Boerne, Texas, began far from this … Read more