Elks Lodge Awards Community Members During Program
Some special local residents took the spotlight as the Wolf Point Elks Lodge #1764 held its annual awards banquet on Monday, March 2.
Barbara Olson was the recipient of the Citizen of the Year honor. Olson has been one of the local coordinators for the Montana Shakespeare in the Park program for many years before turning over those duties this year. She has been involved in helping bring the show to Wolf Point since 2010.
Olson serves as program director for the popular Bigger Sky Kids program held after school in Wolf Point. The program started in 2017 and is enjoying consistent success.
In addition, Olson helps Wolf Point look great by being a member of the community’s beautification committee.
“There’s a lot of great volunteers in this community,” Olson said while receiving the award.
Logan Bushman of the Wolf Point Police Department was honored as the First Responder of the Year.
Bushman was presented a life saving award for displaying extraordinary courage and selfless heroism on Sept. 28, 2025. He entered harm’s way during an active shooter incident and took decisive action that saved the life of another person. On Sept. 28, one man was killed and another injured in a shooting that occurred on Blaine Street in Wolf Point.
Police Chief Anthony Cambridge accepted the award on behalf of Bushman, who is currently going through academy training. Cambridge said Bushman thanks the community of Wolf Point for its support.
Deb Madison received the award as Lodge Officer of the Year.
Madison was instrumental in obtaining grants from the national Elks Lodge to help the Wolf Point community. A Freedom Grant provided six veterans at Faith Home with socks, sweats, underwear, shoes and blankets.
In addition, grants totaling $10,500 were donated by the Elks to the Wolf Point Food Pantry.
Wolf Point High School seniors receiving $500 scholarships from the Elks were Cole Boysun and Lauren Rodenberg. Elks Lodge officers for the new year are Tara Thomas as exalted ruler, Dennis Heser as leading knight, Madison as loyal knight, Amy Keller as lecturing knight, Karen Jeide as secretary, Bill Vander Weele as treasurer, Angela Romo as esquire, Louise Petersen as chaplain, John Plestina as inner guard and trustees David Perkins, Gene Pronto and Brad Traeholt.
