Curt Iles

I write to have influence and impact through well-told stories of my Louisiana Pineywoods life.

There is no greater legacy than honesty

 Honesty    “No legacy is as rich as honesty.” – Quote beside my maternal grandfather, Sid Plott’s photograph in “The Gusher”, Byrd High (Shreveport) School, Class of 1926 Honesty, like lying, is a habit. Develop the fundamental habit of being a truth-teller in every situation. When is the truth a lie? We talk about “little white lies” and half-truths. Is …

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All Around the South Traffic Circle.

    The South Traffic Circle   “The reason that North and South Louisiana are so different and disconnected is that you can’t get from one to the other because of the Traffic Circle in Alexandria.” -Oft-repeated story prior to Interstate 49.   I’ve never heard anyone say anything good about the South Traffic Circle in Alexandria, Louisiana. It’s a …

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The Big Rocker

The Rocker   “Do you think now that rocker is worth $1500?”  “No, it’s worth more like $15,000.”   It was a conversation I’ll always remember. Framed with a lesson I will not forget. An earlier conversation ended with a resounding “No.”   My special friend Karan Robinson shoved a photo into my hand. “Don’t you think that’d look good …

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An article from my friend Tina Martin

At the Creekbank, we’re interested in encouraging other writers and small businesses.   This is an article written by my friend, Tina Martin.   Tina can be reached at tina.martin@ideaspired.com>   Enjoy this article. I hope it reminds you that your “homestead” can produce products that help and encourage others. It may be a self-published book, a Christmas tree farm …

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A visit to see King Mockingbird

King Mockingbird   Author’s note: this story is from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. It concerns a mockingbird and a place I love called Dry Creek Baptist Camp.   This week is Girls Camp at Dry Creek. The photo below shows four of my granddaughters, my two sisters, my daughter-in-law, a great-niece, and their friends at camp. I …

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Short Stories from Curt

I’m working on a book of short stories. So far, I haven’t found a publisher. There’s no use keeping these stories to myself.  Enjoy! Pass them on. I’ll be posting a new story (at www.creekbank.net) every few days. I’ll use my Curt Iles Facebook page to announce new posts.   I’m always open to suggestions, feedback, and constructive criticism.   …

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Blessed is the Man . . .

  Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he [b]meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the [c]rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, …

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Saying Goodbye to a Grand Old Lady

Drone photo by Todd Burnaman less than twenty-four hours before the White House burned.     Saying Goodbye to a Grand Old Lady   Throughout my life in my hometown of Dry Creek, a building has stood that serves not only as a link to the past but as an anchor for our community.   We called it the Dry …

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A Memorial Day Story Worth Telling: A Soldier’s Story

A Note from Curt: As long as I’m alive, the story of Sgt. Leroy Johnson will be remembered. It’s a story worth telling, worth passing on.  We need reminding that our freedom is never free. It’s important to remember stories of heroes who paid for our American freedom with their lives. It’s important to remember stories of heroes who paid …

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Dry Creek’s White House

“The White House” from Hearts across the Water Friday, September 23, 2005 It is just before bedtime on the night before Hurricane Rita slams into Southwest Louisiana. A crowd of fifty anxious faces stares into mine as they await words of wisdom from the camp director. The faces are each so different and individual. Some faces are black; others are …

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A word called Encouragement

  Encouragement   What a good word: encouragement. I could list various definitions. Instead, I’ll do what I do (and love) best. I’ll tell a story: The 1936 Berlin Olympics are among the most famous Olympiads of the 20th century. Its location was Germany Its time: Europe was building toward another war, less than twenty years since the last one. …

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December 29: Sharp Hooks

December 29  Sharp Hooks   Reas Weeks was a Dry Creek legend who lived and died before my time. He was a bachelor who lived in a remote area along Bundick Creek. He never owned a vehicle or held a regular job. He supported himself by fishing, hunting, and farming. He was known as the best creek fisherman in our …

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