April 25, 2012 was a very long day and one that 10-year-old Cameron Wilson of Grandview will not soon forget. This was the day he took part in the Dreams Take Flight adventure to Disney World in Florida.

Cameron was one of five children with Type 1 diabetes who were part of a plane load of children that left Winnipeg at 5:00 a.m., spent the day at Disney World, and returned to Winnipeg at midnight.

Cameron’s mother, Mindy Komishen, explained that the children were given "front of every line" priority so they were able to pack in as many attractions as most families could in a week. She said that Cameron went on more rides than he could remember and that it took several days to catch up on sleep after the exciting adventure.

This was the first time that Cameron participated in such a program and was delighted to find that two others in his group were boys that he had previously met at a camp for diabetic children.

Others on the flight were dealing with a variety of illness and special needs. Each group had team leaders as well as a chaperone with experience related to the group’s condition.

Dreams Take Flight was started by a group of Air Canada employees and continues to be run solely by employee volunteers. Air Canada donates the aircraft; the adventure is funded through fundraising efforts, corporate sponsors and donations. Since the inaugural Dream Flight in 1989, nearly 10,000 children with special needs have participated in the program.

Cameron’s next event is the Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes which is happening in Dauphin on May 26th. As part of his pledge drive, he will be at the Bake Shop on May 18 for those who wish to help. Cameron is also pictured on the Walk brochure as one of the Youth Ambassadors for the event.

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Dwight McLean honored...At the Grandview Curling Club’s annual meeting the Manitoba Volunteer Award Certificate for the 2011-2012 season, was presented to Dwight McLean. Dwight’s name will be included in a listing of recipients in the 2012-13 Curl Manitoba Yearbook. Presenting is club president David Lang. Dwight’s many contributions include: serving as draw master, organizing the painting of the interior of the rink, looking after the two raffles the club runs, and he is also instrumental in organizing the annual men’s bonspiel.

Grandview budgets complete

The Town and Rural Municipality of Grandview have both completed their budgets for 2012. Both are seeing a significant increase in assessment value, allowing a drop in the mill rate while the tax dollars collected will increase.

The Rural Municipality experienced a 12% increase in assessment this year. The municipal mill rate has dropped by 1.18 mills to 34.97. The actual amount of taxes to be collected has increased by approximately $100,000.

CAO Sharon Storozuk said that the ongoing challenges continue to be grading roads to keep them in good shape and the recruitment of doctors for the region. She noted this may be more challenging with the enlarged regional health authorities coming into effect.

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