Parlor games and Lincoln's dog

Based on the publishing trends back then, we played a little parlor game in college. The object was to work "Nazi" (or bettter yet "Hitler"), "UFO," "dog," and "Lincoln" all into one book title. The idea was that you'd have a sure hit that covered all the bestselling bases.

The Animal Planet TV channel gets us halfway there with the story of Lincoln's dog "Fido."

Farley said the visitor's bureau is happy to support such projects because they boost tourism and give visitors greater incentive to lengthen their stays in Springfield.

"Mommy, can we stay another day to visit all of Fido's favorite spots?"

Longer visits "help create more shopping, more business and therefore help the economy," Farley said.

We get it.