Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on October 17, 1942, Swanson moved with his family to the Village of Island Park in 1945. His entire school experience was in Mound. His most recent release, Simpler Times, is a vivid, nostalgic, and intimate memoir of his growing up there in the early 50s. Simpler Times is filled with reflections of goodness, innocence, and all too often misguided play. His intricately woven tales return you to a time and place that you cherish and to which you are intrinsically and forever linked - a place in your memory calling for your return. Included are humorous tales about hide-and-seek, snowball fights, family pets, wildlife rescue, and the discovery of the opposite sex. This book will make you smile, laugh, rejoice, and bring you to tears. It may lift the fog of a fading memory of a grandparent long gone, or remind you of a valuable life lesson taught by a parent, special teacher, or scout leader.