A Past Worth Telling presents a collection of poems by author Mary Ann Niemczura that recounts her childhood in rural Western Massachusetts in the 1940s and early 1950s, a time that offered carefree, innocent days of playing, learning, and exploring with minimal adult supervision. It was a time and place that children appreciated nature and its creatures, when children savored horehound drops, penny candy, Mary Ann cookies, crackers, and pickles from the barrel at the Old Sturbridge Village General Store with the wooden Indian chief outside.

This poetical memoir recalls fond childhood days as seen through the eyes of Niemczura and her sisters. She also recalls life in Colorado, Germany, and Central New York. These memories are documented for future generations and for anyone interested in such experiences.

Her writing is joyful and uplifting but poignant at times. To her credit, she covers life's winding road with humor and reality.

Jerome F. Melvin, PhD

retired school Superintendent of the North Syracuse Central Schools in North Syracuse, New York