OUR OPINION: SESQUICENTENNIAL

Generating excitement for Minnesota's sesquicentennial has been a challenge. Maybe it's because no one can pronounce sesquicentennial without tripping over the word. Nevertheless, news from Duluth that three tall ships will sail into Duluth harbor to celebrate the state's 150th birthday was welcome news.

Two of the ships are War of 1812 reconstructions and the third is a reconstruction of a vessel that sailed the Great Lakes 150 years ago.

The Brainerd area may not be very far removed from the prairies to the west and yet we still are less than 125 miles from an international harbor. This is a unique chance to see and tour these ships on Aug. 1-3. Any landlocked Minnesotan who's ever daydreamed about sailing on the open seas will not want to miss the tall ships' visit to Duluth.