Marion County Development Partnership Chairman Rene Dungan said the business owners are “what Columbia is all about.”

Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources Administrator Amy Cotton spoke on behalf of Community Cares, a new local social program that offers drug and alcohol rehab as well as psychological counseling for children between the ages of 10-18.

Community Cares is funded by a federal grant and accepts Medicaid. Those without Medicaid can have their services paid for with a grant Community Cares received.

Ann Sanders of Ann’s Embroidery was next to speak and she said that her business offers more than just embroidering. Her business can personalize many different items including coffee cups, key chains and book marks.

“We take your ideas and make them a reality,” said Sanders. “You never know what you’ll find until you walk through the door and ask.”

Chiropractor Holly Fink spoke next and said she has been practicing in Columbia for 22 years. She noted that she is a specialist in the spine and that the business itself will have been in Columbia for 50 years in May.

John Hales, Head Start/Early Head Start director for Pearl River Valley Opportunity, spoke and said in June the PRVO will be 45 years old and now has a “footprint across 18 counties.”

PRVO has a 24-member board with representation for the public, private sector and poor, said Hales. Hales noted that expansions to Head Start are coming in 2010.

Steve Mercier, operations manager for WCJU and WJDR, said his stations carry local sports as well as Saints and Hornets games. Paula Matthews, owner of Designing Gallery LLC, said she expects her store to be fully opened by the first of the year. Custom made orders for one-of-a-kind T-shirt quilts, quilting classes and quilt patterns will be available at Designing Gallery. Prints of her husband’s paintings will also be available at the store, she added.

D.L Wesley, owner of Wesley’s Hobby Honey, said the state beekeepers convention was in Columbia in November and a huge success with 157 people registered from 10 states as far away as North Dakota.

The next Catchy Friday meeting is the last Friday in January at 7:45 a.m.