Stillwater is the town that is known as the birthplace of Minnesota, it is right on the WI/MN border and the St. Croix River separates the two states here, and further south it is the Mississippi River. Stillwater is old, and I am in staying the night in one of the oldest hotels, it is now called the Water Street Inn, it is on Water Street and a stones throw away from the lift bridge. Yes it lifts up and it is old too! We are having our annual retreat - a time away for all the staff who are working so hard to create a way in which people with disabilities can and do work. That there is an expectation that people with disabilities get to plan about work, they may not always choose to work, but people can make informed choice. It is about full inclusion and not living in poverty and all the things that come from work. I have found over the past 12 years that the only people that really joke about not working are people who work. We have a mission in our work to increase competitive employment of Minnesotans with disabilities and to help meet Minnesota's Workforce needs. So each year we take 1 night and 1 day to step outside of routines, and to assess where we are at, and how to keep moving forward. So for tonight I am listening to small town bustle, and feel the river so near. This is a victorian respite and we are all back at it at 7 a.m. tomorrow morning! Breakfast for 30 awaits. Sweet Dreams.
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