The Artesian American Legion Auxiliary essays and poems were submitted by the students at Sanborn Central Elementary School. The winners were announced over the weekend, and they are, in poetry, Class I, third grade – first place, Alexis Fridley; second place, Brody Uecker; and third place, Julio Salazar; Class II, fourth grade – first place, Landon Olson; second place, Adalie Enfield; third place, Jason Lamb; Class III, fifth grade – first place, Leam Applegarth; second place, Ayden Kaiser; third place, Colton Nelson. The winners in the essay contest were, Class I, third and fourth grade – first place, Landon Olson; second place, Mason Morgan; third place, Alexis Fridley; Class II, fifth grade – first place, Colton Nelson; second place, Levi Hinker; and third place, Ayden Kaiser.

…See a picture in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal!

Isabella Bitterman, junior at Sanborn Central School, has been selected by The Artesian American Legion Auxiliary to attend South Dakota American Legion Auxiliary Girls State. The ALA Girls State will be held May 29 through June 3 on the campus of the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. The ALA Girls State program focuses on promoting patriotism and the value of being engaged in local and state community.  Isabella is the daughter of Charmayne Henrickson and Kris Bitterman.

…See a picture in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal!

Two above-ground,s concrete storm shelters were recently placed in Artesian in order to help citizens of Artesian find a safe place to wait out a violent storm if they are without a safe place in their own homes or unable to get to their homes when a storm hits the area.

Both shelters were designed by Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) standards to withstand an EF4 tornado. On the outside their dimensions are 6 feet and 2 inches wide by 8 feet and 2 inches long by 6 feet and 8 inches tall. Their inside dimensions are 5 feet and 6 inches wide by 7 feet and 6 inches long by 5 feet and 11 inches tall. The shelters are made of four-inch-thick high strength concrete and reinforced with iron made rebar and fiber mesh. They have easy handicap access through a three-foot-wide steel walk door. They are built to hold approximately 11 people. 

One of the shelters was purchased through a grant from the CorTrust Artesian-Letcher-Mt. Vernon Community Foundation and was placed on Main Street between CorTrust Bank and Longbranch Bar. The other shelter was purchased by the City of Artesian and was placed by the Artesian Community Center. Both shelters are ready for use if the need should arise. 

…See a picture in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal!