Growing Up Giffin: Reflections on a Happy Steeltown Boyhood

by Tim Hayes

We can gain great contemplative insight into today and tomorrow by reading Tim’s compilation of his upbringing in Pittsburgh’s Mount Oliver and America’s heartland in an era of values and striving. He does it with humor, pathos, and the skills of the accomplished storyteller .—Robert Fragasso, chairman and CEO of Fragasso Financial Advisors

Communications professional Tim Hayes previously tackled the world of business in his first book, Jackass in a Adventures in Executive Communication . Now, he’s going back to the beginning and sharing stories from his childhood growing up in the “Steeltown” of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and its Mount Oliver neighborhood. His stories take you along with him as he spends an idyllic childhood, survives eight years of Catholic school, and takes on the radically new world of high school.

Hayes shows how childhood moments taught him the lessons he has carried with him for the rest of his life. His stories will inspire you to think back to your experiences growing up in your own hometown!

A portion of the proceeds of Growing Up Giffin will be donated to economic development efforts supporting the Mount Oliver community.

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2017

About the author

Tim Hayes is an internationally recognized Natural Horsemanship Clinician. He conducts clinics throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Mexico He is a visiting instructor at The University of Connecticut & The University of Vermont Departments of Animal Science. He is a Contributing Expert Consultant & Columnist for: "Equus," "Equine Journal" and "Horse Directory" Magazines. He is also blogs for The Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tim-hayes/). Before his career as a horseman, Hayes had a long career in Film and Television.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this book. So much nostalgia! I know of Tim, and knew both of his sisters, having been in the CHS band with them. It was kind of fun reading about their older brother. I also know the house, street, park, grade school, business area, "The Show," etc. so I knew exactly what he was talking about and could picture it in my mind. It was fun to learn that his neighborhood, and the kids in it, was just like mine, complete with corner store and all! It's such a shame that kids today don't (and in most instances, just can't) have the kind of childhood that we had. It truly was a special time. I hadn't remembered that Tim was a journalist and was so pleasantly surprised to read his humor laced stories. I loved remembering Mr. C, our curly blonde headed English teacher - one of my favorites! Mr. B was gone by the time I joined the band but I spent many days in the band room with an older friend so I was well aware of how loved he was. Sadly, I wasn't one of Mrs. H's favorite "pets" so my journalistic dreams were quickly dashed. In any event, I truly enjoyed taking a walk down memory lane with Tim! It made me both happy and sad thinking about those innocent days gone by.