Kate Brennan-MacGregor is a bit of a problem solver or as some call her: the “quilt doctor”
 
“We call her that because she seems to know a little bit about everything,” said Lakewood resident Candy Meeson. “So if we get stuck, she always can have an answer for us.”
 
On Friday evenings for the new few weeks, Kate will teach the “Quilting for Health” class through Lakewood’s Recreation Center. Many say it’s the perfect relief to a stressful week.
 
“When you assemble and actually do the quilting, its so neat because you get in the zone and it’s really relaxing,” said Kathy Kody, a Lakewood resident who has been quilting for years. “It’s therapy. That’s why we call it ‘Quilting for Health.’ It’s therapy.”

Kate has been teaching quilting classes through the rec center for 11 years now, but the course isn’t just about making quilts. The class has a special meaning to everyone.

“My husband lovse when I have quilts in the winter. And my grandmother taught me to sew when I was in fourth grade,” Kathy said. “So I’ve always sewed. It always keeps me close to her too.”

But Kate isn’t the only one teaching. She often learns just as much from her students.

“Florence is the color queen,” Kate said. “She says, ‘no no no, that’s the wrong color.’ If Florence says it’s the wrong color, we need to find another color.”

And these women don’t just share an interest. They’ve built an extended family.

“We all sit around and kind of like chit-chat, catch up with each other, um, make sure everyone’s doing everything ok,” Candy said. “That’s what I love about it most.”

It’s one place where anyone can join, have fun and relax.

“I get to hang around people who are as passionate about fabric as I am,” Kate said. “For as long as I can, I’m thrilled that I can do this because sewing for me is like a therapy.”

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