I spent the last couple nights in a Red Lion Hotel. I remember in the early 90s, the Red Lion was the mecca of all things business. The first time I saw a limo was in the Red Lion parking lot. I remember seeing men wearing suits and ties, walking in and out of the fancy hotel - they were always walking really fast and carrying brief cases. They were in a hurry because business never stops, especially in Medford, Oregon. They were successful and successful people always stayed at the Red Lion. I assumed that they were probably working for Harry and David. In Medford, children were led to believe that international business revolved around two Medford residents named, Harry and David. They were the Willy Wonka of Medford and every so often they would open their factory doors and throw chocolate truffles at the kids, free turkeys at the poor and bus passes to suspended drivers. When I was in grade school, my teacher announced that we were going to go on a field trip to Harry and David and I began running around the classroom singing, "I've got the golden ticket" and wishing I had a bed ridden Grandpa to invite to the big factory. Here are your slippers Grandpa!
