2026 Fall Outstanding Volunteer Recognition Dinner
Two honorees were recognized at the 2026 Fall Outstanding Volunteer Recognition Dinner. Congratulations to Dean Christenson (left) & Dennis Badman (right)!
Dean Christenson
Christensen's family ties to the lake go back to 1973, when his parents, Wally and Dorothy Christenson, bought a home on Bear Trap Lake. His father joined the Lake Association soon after, motivated by a push to improve water quality and install a proper sewer system.
"My deep connection to the lake began in 1973," Christensen said, adding that his father's drive "to improve water quality and clean up the lake" shaped his own path with the association.
Christensen also has a colorful family history on the water. He formed a rock band, Brandy, that played weekend gigs at the Country Dam. When crowds began gathering on his parents' lawn and pulling up in boats to listen, his father hooked two pontoon boats together, wired up a generator and sent the band on a five hour musical tour of both lakes. That trip, Christensen said, drew a long procession of boats and sparked what has become the association's annual Fourth of July parade.
In recent years, Christensen's volunteer work has centered on environmental stewardship, including invasive species monitoring, managing the lake dam and advocating for shoreline stabilization. He recently led a stabilization project at the narrows near the Bible camp property to protect the shoreline from erosion.
Christensen's family ties to the lake go back to 1973, when his parents, Wally and Dorothy Christenson, bought a home on Bear Trap Lake. His father joined the Lake Association soon after, motivated by a push to improve water quality and install a proper sewer system.
"My deep connection to the lake began in 1973," Christensen said, adding that his father's drive "to improve water quality and clean up the lake" shaped his own path with the association.
Christensen also has a colorful family history on the water. He formed a rock band, Brandy, that played weekend gigs at the Country Dam. When crowds began gathering on his parents' lawn and pulling up in boats to listen, his father hooked two pontoon boats together, wired up a generator and sent the band on a five hour musical tour of both lakes. That trip, Christensen said, drew a long procession of boats and sparked what has become the association's annual Fourth of July parade.
In recent years, Christensen's volunteer work has centered on environmental stewardship, including invasive species monitoring, managing the lake dam and advocating for shoreline stabilization. He recently led a stabilization project at the narrows near the Bible camp property to protect the shoreline from erosion.
Dennis Badman
Badman, who was born and raised in Fall Creek, Wisconsin, attended Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College and earned a degree in electric power distribution. He moved to Amery in June 1979 to start his career at Northern States Power, which later became Xcel Energy, where he spent 40 years working as a lineman, district troubleman, designer and design supervisor and manager.
"I chose Amery because of the wonderful lakes and woods in the area," Badman said.
Badman has volunteered at his church, served on the Fall Festival Committee and coached basketball and football at Amery High School. He and his family moved to their current home on Lake Wapogasset in 2002. He now serves on the Lake Wapogasset/Bear Trap Sanitary District, where he coordinates curlyleaf pondweed harvest and operations.
"Lake Wapogasset and Bear Trap have become such an important part of our lives, and we now have grandchildren who love the lake," Badman said.
Badman, who was born and raised in Fall Creek, Wisconsin, attended Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College and earned a degree in electric power distribution. He moved to Amery in June 1979 to start his career at Northern States Power, which later became Xcel Energy, where he spent 40 years working as a lineman, district troubleman, designer and design supervisor and manager.
"I chose Amery because of the wonderful lakes and woods in the area," Badman said.
Badman has volunteered at his church, served on the Fall Festival Committee and coached basketball and football at Amery High School. He and his family moved to their current home on Lake Wapogasset in 2002. He now serves on the Lake Wapogasset/Bear Trap Sanitary District, where he coordinates curlyleaf pondweed harvest and operations.
"Lake Wapogasset and Bear Trap have become such an important part of our lives, and we now have grandchildren who love the lake," Badman said.
Pictures from the recognition dinner held at the Wapo Bible Camp.
