We Heard It Through the Grapevine That...

* Faculty Mentors are Needed: Tennessee Promise offers faculty members and others the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of students in Rutherford County and beyond. At last report, nearly 3,000 mentors were still needed as the Dec. 6 deadline approached. To volunteer or learn more, visit https://tnachieves.org/mentors/apply/new-mentor-application/

* Three Motlow students were recently elected Smyrna Freshman SGA Officers: Marina Hana (freshman president), Bryna Green (freshman senator), and Tamara Diallo (freshman senator).

* Professional counseling is now offered to Motlow students. Helpful resources and contact information are provided at http://www.mscc.edu/counseling/

* The Thanksgiving weather outlook from the Old Farmer’s Almanac looks splendid: “Well, we have good news for those who aren’t big fans of the white stuff: According to our long-range forecasts, much of the United States will avoid receiving more snow on Thanksgiving, and will instead be graced with sunny, clear skies for the holiday. This, along with colder-than-normal temperatures (but not colder than last year’s frigid temps), will make for a pleasant yet chilly Thanksgiving Day—something to ultimately be thankful for!”

* The “50 Stories/50 Stops” Reading Campaign needs readers for various school visits this fall. To express interest, contact Christy Glenn at cglenn@mscc.edu.

* A “Family Fun Day” is being considered for the Smyrna campus on April 17, 2020. Check out a similar event that occurred on the Moore County campus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev8D4ZEWjxQ  

(If you’re heard anything through the grapevine, please share it with us at cwhiting@mscc.edu or rshelton@mscc.edu)

Shoppers Jam Smyrna Target for Thanksgiving/Black Friday Sales

Kim Prasanerak

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

SMYRNA, Tenn.-- Hundreds of customers rushed through the doors of the Target store at 803 Industrial Blvd. in Smyrna on Nov. 22 to take advantage of discount sales on Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

Every year, Target is a hot spot for many Black Friday shoppers. Sales started at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving. The store featured sales on many items, including electronics, clothing and food. Team members worked hard to run a safe and fun evening that occurred until 1 a.m.

The Black Friday/Thanksgiving environment was very much different than a regular day at Target. Shoppers were on a mission to buy gifts for friends and family, and it got feisty. The crowds were wild, carts jammed the narrow aisles, and others walked in single file across the store. Miscellaneous items such as gift sets and stocking stuffers were on sale for as much as 50 percent off. Most of the shelves were swept empty by the middle of the night, especially in the toy section. TV sets were the most popular items.

People's moods were greatly affected by the rush of Black Friday shopping. Shoppers were stressed, tired and determined to buy popular items. When someone saw an item he or she wanted that was up to 75 percent off, they would grab it before someone else could. Because people were crammed together, pushing and shoving was a common part of the Black Friday experience.

Black Friday itself is not really that big of a deal. Most people know that they can order the same things online and save the same amount of money. These shoppers wanted to experience the adrenaline of the event firsthand.

A lot of people hyped up shopping around these times, and they wanted to see what all the fuss was about at Target. For some, it was a group activity for friends and family.

 Maxie Khetsisouvanh, a team member who was working Thanksgiving night, talked about her experience working on the other side as a sales clerk. She said it can be just as taxing for retail workers during the holidays as the customers who are shopping for gifts. Employees must ring up nonstop, serving endless lines of people for hours, answering people's questions left and right, and basically being five people at once. She said that this was her third Black Friday at Target.

“The crowds here are absolutely insane,” said Khetsisouvanh. “I’ve seen people almost get in physical fights, people running into the store, and mass shoving.”

Store manager Tim Larkin said workers prepared hard for Black Friday. Team members set up and arranged all the items that were on sale. They knew it was going to be a busy night in the store, so they were ready to go. Gates were set up outside of the store so shoppers could enter in an orderly fashion. Larkin said it was also essential to have security guards around the store to watch for fights and potential theft.

“Target has every single check lane open for two days of the year, Black Friday and Christmas Eve,” said Larkin. “Team members are stocking all the shelves, so they are ready to roll at 5 p.m.”

For more information about Target or to access its weekly sales, visit www.target.com.

Motlow to Close for Thanksgiving Holiday

     LYNCHBURG – Motlow State Community College will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday from Nov. 22-25 (Thursday-Sunday), according to college officials.

     The closing applies to computer labs, libraries, and other facilities at all Motlow State campuses, including the Moore County, Fayetteville, McMinnville and Smyrna campuses and the Shelbyville and Sparta teaching sites.

     There will be no classes on Nov. 21 (Wednesday), although Motlow facilities will remain open. Classes scheduled for Thursday-Sunday will also not be meeting.

     All classes will resume their normal schedules, and all campuses their normal hours, on Nov. 26 (Monday).

Student Government Hosts Thanksgiving Feast in McMinnville

By Jordan Donalson

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

            MCMINNVILLE, Tenn. – The Student Government Association hosted a Thanksgiving Feast on the McMinnville campus on Nov. 20, serving chicken, dressing and all the trimmings that fed more than 100 students and faculty members.

             The event started at 11 a.m. Monday and lasted until 1:30 p.m. Student Government Association members prepared the Thanksgiving food for the event. SGA members who helped serve during the event included Kendra Rymer, Erian Atterson, Dakota Cool, and Secretary Naily Ontiveros.  All serve members on the McMinnville Campus.

            The festive meal included homemade edibles such as chicken and dressing, ham, sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese. Attendees also enjoyed cookies, pies and drinks.

            The food was bought by the Student Government Association. Members met and cooked the food. Two tables were set up with the main foods and the trimmings, the desserts and drinks. They also helped with clean up and prepared take- home meals for others, washed dishes, and took down the tables.

            “The food was really good, and it was very nice of the Student Government Association to take time out of their day to host this event,” said a Motlow State Community College Professor Larry Flatt.

            According to SGA Vice President Natasha Heaton, students and faculty are looking forward to the organization’s next event. The organization’s “Ugly Sweater Dress-Up Day” will occur from Dec. 5-6.  The student who wears the ugliest sweater will win a gift card from Topz Frozen Yogurt in McMinnville.

            “Our plan was to give back to our students and faculty members at this campus during the harvest season,” said Stephanie Jones, a member of the Student Government Association.

            At the beginning of the meal, Secretary Naily Ontiveros welcomed everyone to the event. She said she was very excited that everyone was there.  During the event, the movie “Home Alone” played in the background. Students and faculty members were able to enjoy their meal and watch the movie.

            “We also would like for the students to feel comfortable within our campus environment,” said Natasha Heaton.  

            Heaton explained that the event was held to help build a community for students and others on the McMinnville campus. SGA members planned the meal well before the Thanksgiving holiday.

            “The events that we host are free, and the students know they are able to get a meal in between classes,” said Heaton.

            She said she hopes that Thanksgiving Feast will become an annual tradition.

“The outcome was tremendous, and we tried to implement things from the past that have worked out really well,” said Heaton.

            The Student Government Association hosted a similar event around Christmas during the 2016 fall semester. More than 100 students and faculty members were treated to a holiday dinner. Items included homemade turkey, ham, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Attendees also enjoyed desserts such as cookies, pies and brownies.  

            “I am very proud of the ladies who volunteered their time exuding selflessness throughout the planning, preparation and serving of the event,” said Heaton.

Motlow State to Close for Thanksgiving Break

         LYNCHBURG, Tenn. – Motlow State Community College will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday from Nov. 23-26 (Thursday-Sunday), according to college officials.

         The closing applies to computer labs, libraries and other facilities at all Motlow State campuses, including the Moore County, Fayetteville, McMinnville and Smyrna campuses.

         There will be no classes on Wednesday, although Motlow facilities will remain open. Classes scheduled for Thursday through Sunday also will not meet.

         All classes will resume their normal schedules, and all campuses their normal hours, on Nov. 27 (Monday).