BetterMENt: The Relentless Pursuit of Understanding

Silhouette of a Man Sitting on a Rock Overlooking the Ocean at Sunset, Deep in Thought As Birds Fly Across a Vivid Orange Sky.

When I was young, I liked to take things apart to see how they worked. Unfortunately, they didn’t work as well when I put them back together. Nowadays, I tend to suppress my urge to dismantle unless there is a problem. Which still gives me frequent opportunities to see how things work, since nothing is … Read more

Just Stay Down

Paul Newman As Luke Lies Beaten but Unbroken in the Dirt, with Prison Guards Watching from Above in a Scene from Cool Hand Luke.

“Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…” – Proverbs 24:16 In 2009, Boerne High School reopened its doors, and with it, the heartbeat of a small-town tradition came back to life. We had closed the school for a calendar year while it was remodeled. And with that return came the need for a … Read more

Brewing Bold Faith in Boerne: The Casey Barker Story

Casey Barker in a Cowboy Hat, Seated at a Table with an Open Bible and Candle, Hands Clasped in Quiet Reflection.

In the heart of Kendall County, Texas, where the Hill Country’s rugged beauty meets the warmth of community, a simple coffee shop stands as a testament to faith’s transformative power. Barker and Wortman Coffee is more than a place for a morning brew; it’s a sanctuary where an eight-foot cross looms on the wall, a … Read more

Customs & Manners

Black-and-white Photo of a Vintage Police Department Cruiser Parked Outside 114 E Texas, with Classic Signage and Building Facade.

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

The Sage of Sisterdale: Ernst Kapp

Portrait of Ernst Kapp, 19th-century German-born Philosopher and Texas Pioneer Who Settled in Sisterdale.

Ernst Kapp and the Enduring Legacy of a Texas Hill Country Visionary Nestled deep within the picturesque embrace of the Texas Hill Country, the small community of Sisterdale often conjures images of rolling hills, meandering rivers, and a tranquil escape from the bustling world. Yet, beneath its serene surface lies a rich tapestry of history, … Read more

BetterMENt: Stepping Up To Better MENtal Health

Lance Lira, Featured Contributor to the Kendall Gentleman, in a Professional Headshot.

Growing up as a Gen X Texas boy, it was never considered to be ‘manly’ to show emotions (unless those emotions happened to be something to do with courage, perhaps). Sadly, this is a recurring theme with many fellow men I have visited with. Dealing with emotions is something that every human must contend with, … Read more

Paloma Fest

Jed Mazour Holds Up a String of Doves in a Texas Field During Dove Season, Enjoying a Lone Star Beer Under a Bright Hill Country Sky.

With September around the corner, I am starting to let dove hunting creep back into my mind. Dove season comes about the same time as our peak exhaustion from the south Texas summer heat. The real dog days of summer.. The kind of heat that even a dip in my swimming pool won’t take my … Read more

Espada Ricasso by Montecristo 

a Montecristo Espada Ricasso Cigar Stands in a Wooden Ashtray Next to a Glass and Bottle of Balvenie 14 Year Caribbean Cask Scotch.

Espada Ricasso by Montecristo  This month’s review by Mr. Clay the Cigar Guy from The Cigar Society, is the Espada Ricasso (5 x 54) by Montecristo. This cigar has been in my rotation of go-to cigars since the first time I tried it four years ago. Today, I prefer to enjoy this great cigar in … Read more

Max’s Bar and Udo

an Elderly John Eddie Vogt in a Red Plaid Shirt Standing Outdoors with a Gentle Smile, Embodying Wisdom and Nostalgia.

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

We Do What We Want

Portrait of Coach Stan Leech in a Black Suit and Striped Tie, Smiling Confidently Against a Black Backdrop.

I once heard a simple line that stopped me cold. As the saying goes, “We do what we want to do, and we don’t do what we don’t want to do.” At first, it made me laugh—it sounded like something someone might say to justify skipping a meeting or leaving a party early, but the … Read more