The PET® Brings Mobility & the Love of Christ to Developing Countries

A highlight, and certainly the most meaningful experience
of my recent week-long trip to Ohio,
was a tour of the PET Project manufacturing facility in Stow.

PET stands for Personal Energy Transportation.
These hand-cranked carts offer the gift of mobility to people
who have had to live their lives struggling to get from place to place,
often by crawling through dirt, mud and stones.
Some can't walk due to birth defects or diseases such as polio,
and some have lost limbs in accidents -often from landmines.

The PET Project is a faith-based, non-profit organization,
 run by volunteers, who, most often are retirees.

PETs are given to people in developing countries to share the love of Christ.
They offer a new lease on life, one with new-found hope and dignity.




Although I can show you the photos I took, and tell you about my tour,
nothing pulls it all together like watching this moving video, Mercy in Motion.
It's from a feature by KOMU's Sarah Hill, which illustrates and explains
the heart-wrenching need that the PET Project addresses.





Vince and Jim in the Stow, Ohio workshop.



There are 23 production sites in the United States, and 1 in Zambia.
These partner with 49 distributors, including World Vision and Samaritan's Purse.
In 20 years, over 46,000 PETs have been given throughout 100 countries.
Estimated world need for PETs: 10 million.





Nick doing some touch-up painting.








Templates are ready to guide volunteers through each step of the building process.








The day I visited, a template was being prepared for an updated seat cushion,
an improved design made after studying pressure points for comfort.




Sue cuts the marine-quality vinyl.




Julie at work on the sewing machine.








{As an October 2016 update to this post, I want to share that PET International, 
parent organization of PET OH-Stow and 22 other Affiliates, has changed its name
to Mobility Worldwide. The PET will now be called the Mobility Cart. } 





You may be interested to read this blog post:
PET® Carts Head to the GAiN® Distribution Center
and its follow-up:
Touring the Global Aid Network Logistics Center.

Would you like to make a donation
or to find out how you can get involved?
Visit these websites for more information:
Mobility Worldwide OH-Stow
Mobility Worldwide
PET OH-Stow on Facebook

Hand-Stitched Portraits by Cayce Zavaglia

I am wowed by these hand-stitched portraits by Cayce Zavaglia!
I truly did a double-take when I saw them, thinking they were paintings at first,
but then realizing they were works of embroidery!
By watching her Vimeo, I learned that her goal is exactly that.

Watch it for yourself, then view a few more images below
to appreciate with me these life-like portraits and Cayce's intriguing process!

Here's Cayce's website.

Direct permission granted by Cayce Zavaglia.

An Overnight in Charming Lakeside Chautauqua, OH

Lakeside Chautauqua, Ohio is situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie.
Back in 1873, a group of Methodist preachers came to this idyllic locale,
 set up some benches and pitched their tents,
and "raised the praise" in what later became Lakeside Chatauqua.

Initially purposed to train Sunday School teachers,
it expanded to become a summertime family resort.
The idea of a Chautauqua is a retreat setting that combines worship and Bible study
with intellectual, creative and cultural enrichment, peaceful relaxation,
plus fun, recreational activities, which at Lakeside, includes fishing, boating and swimming.

What a perfect location to do all of the above!
If this quaint little town filled with charming cottages and shops isn't enough,
there's the gorgeous setting on beautiful Lake Erie!

Our visit was during the off-season, so most of the shops were closed
and everything was still and quiet. Perfect for a restful retreat.
Enjoy the photos I took of a memorable stay!




First things first: lunch.
We stopped for quiche and salad at Ooh La La...

...then gelato for dessert.

How about pistachio, peanut butter cup and coconut almond fudge?

A well-worth-it spluge!

The Hotel Lakeside was built in 1875.

It's a National Historical Landmark.

Loved sharing the experience with my niece, Julie and sister, Lee!

Although many of the flowers were past their prime,

the begonias were still gorgeous!

There's something so serene about gazing out onto water!

That's Kelleys Island out there in the distance, one of the Lake Erie Islands.

The lovely Lakeside pavilion.

The next morning exchanged brilliant blue skies for gray.

Attempting to make the most of it, we scuttled out onto the dock.

A nice view of Hotel Lakeside.

Along with the overcast sky, you can get a feel for the weather by

noticing the choppy water...and my windblown hairdo!

The rain caused us to head back, but not before

having silly fun chasing the seagulls!

Read all about Lakeside Chatauqua on their website.

They're also on Facebook.

Gizmo & HooHa - A Vintage Emporium

I found a great vintage shop on Etsy called Gizmo & HooHa.
(Cool name, or what?)

Martha, its owner, has a knack for keeping it chock-full of fun home decor and collectibles.

There's a terrific mix of interesting and intriguing stuff,

from paint-by-number wall art to an antique majolica tray.

Whether retro, industrial or kitchy, you'll be wondering what lives they've led in the past,

and how you can fit them into your life here & now!

How 'bout this for terrific?
You can get a 10% discount at the Gizmo & HooHa Etsy shop
using coupon code PAISLEY10!
(expires 11-30-14)
Thanks a bunch, Martha!


Here's where you can check out Gizmo & HooHa:
  Etsy
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
and on Twitter @GizmoandHooHa.



Images used with direct permission from Martha.