NEWS from Rice University. Used by permission. 12/4/1997 12:06:00 AM Updated: 31 August 2023 To our knowledge, the entire Rice Land pine timber farm was lost to the Tiger Island fire. A Growing Tradition: Rice University in Beauregard Parish The Rice Land Lumber Co. is more than a tree farm: its crop rotation provides a renewable resource and sustained income …
Read More »Creekbank Blog
The Friendship Lane 2023
The Friendship Lane The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway. –Henry Boye This story is about two men who refused to lose their friendship over a difference of opinion. It is a story worth telling and one worth remembering. It’s the story of The Friendship Lane in Dry Creek. It’s …
Read More »The Most Famous Man in Alexandria
The Most Famous Man in Alexandria. It was late on a Tuesday night when there was a knock at our door. I opened the door to see a man about my age, dressed in a loosely-fitting jogging suit and wearing blink on every visible spot of his body. He had slicked-back hair with a coy smile. I immediately thought he …
Read More »Lloyd’s Teeth
Lloyd’s Teeth Lloyd and Lana have always been one of my favorite couples. I’ve always described Lloyd as dapper. He was impressive to be around. His wife Lana was equally impressive, always looking twenty years younger than her age and possessing a contagious laugh. Lana told the following story from the early years of their marriage: She and Lloyd were …
Read More »One Step at a Time
One Step at a Time I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8 I grew up on a one-mile stretch of gravel road in Dry Creek. Our house was the only house at the dead end of this narrow country lane. My Dad always …
Read More »$100 Saddle on a $100 Horse
“A $1000 Saddle on a $100 Horse” This favorite story was told to me by my friend Diann Cain Norris. Diann’s family has always been active in rodeos. Her parents, “Junior” and Anita Cain made sure their three daughters, Diann, Dena, and DeAnn were busy with horses and basketball. “Junior” Cain said that a neighbor asked him, “Why in the …
Read More »The Clearcut
Pine Trees and Gravel Roads This story, written in 2023, is from my third book Wind in the Pines. They’ve clearcut a large swath of pine forest adjacent to the home I grew up in at the dead-end road where my parents live. A Clear Cut is always sad to me. This one removed the thick strands of pines about …
Read More »A Mentor Named Fox Conner
A Remarkable Mentor named Fox Conner. You’ve probably never heard of Major General Fox Conner. He had an outstanding career spanning the Spanish-American War through the post-World War I years. There are three names marking him as remarkable: Patton, Marshall, and Eisenhower. Fox Conner evidently had the skill of bonding with young officers as a mentor and friend. It started …
Read More »Read ‘A Good Place’ by Curt Iles: The entire book!
A Good Place, Curt Iles’ second novel, continues to be a favorite of readers worldwide. As a gift, we’d like you to have a complete PDF download. Click this link to download Enjoy Mayo Moore on his journey! Curt Iles P. S. As a thank you, please share this link with a friend. Our goal is always to spread our …
Read More »A to Zed: Thoughts on faithfulness in small things
A to Zed “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might . . .” –Ecclesiastes 9:10 My friend David and I were walking along the street in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. (Another story in itself). We spotted an African wearing a ZZ Top T-shirt. David, who had spent most of his adult …
Read More »Paul is Dead
PAUL IS DEAD They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town Acts 14:19-20 *Scroll down to read the story, “Paul is Dead.” I’ve always been bothered by homeless people. My city of Alexandria is crawling with them. They’re seemingly …
Read More »A Good Story: Dexter’s Truck You’re not defined by what you drive.
Dexter’s Truck, a story I believe you’ll enjoy: As always, feel free to share our stories with new readers Dexter’s Truck I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10 My church has a large parking lot. You’d better notice where you park or you’ll be circling …
Read More »Lazarus
Lazarus’ Second Funeral Curt Iles From Christmas Jelly Creekbank Publishing copyright 2012 www.creekbank.net I guess I’m the only one who attended both of Boaz Lazurus’ funerals. The second one was yesterday. The first one was thirty-one years ago. Folks around here simply call me “Rabbi.” It’s a name I like. I remember Lazarus’ first funeral well. I was a young …
Read More »Resurrection
Resurrection “In the pines, in the pines, where the sun never shines.” -Traditional Southern Folk Song A month ago, I walked through my tree farm in Dry Creek. A hot control fire had recently roared through killing small trees, bushes, and briars. All that was left was a dead barren landscape. This prescribed burn, set by my brother-in-law …
Read More »