Jack Elam

Jack Elam was an actor who was in more than 50 westerns as well as other movies such as Cannonball Run where he played the doctor. 

Elam classified the stages of a moderately successful actor's life, as defined by the way a film director refers to the actor suggested for a part. (He said this on a George Plimpton ABC documentary about the making of Rio Lobo.) This humorous quote has also been attributed to other actors and writers, such as Harvey Miller, Ricardo Montalban and Mary Astor:

Stage 1: "Who is Jack Elam?"

Stage 2: "Get me Jack Elam."

Stage 3: "I want a Jack Elam type."

Stage 4: "I want a younger Jack Elam."

Stage 5: "Who is Jack Elam?"

I remember in my early career days the word was "Be nice to everyone you meet. You never know who you will pass on your way down."

David Sneed

The Epicure

Thornton Wilder would have been 115 years old today.

The author of such favorites as "The Bridge of San Luis Rey," "Our Town," and "The Matchmaker" died in 1975 in Hamden CT.

Several good quotes from him:

"My advice to you is not to inquire into why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate. (The Skin of Our Teeth)

"Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow." (The Matchmaker)

David Sneed

90 Year old Couple Celebrating 62 Years of Marriage

Here is a Positive Living couple for you. Age 90 and married 62 years. They were at the doctor's office and saw a piano. They decided to have some fun.
David Sneed


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Will Rogers, Elbert Hubbard, and Others

I'll have to risk offending someone because I am not prepared to post all that occurred on January 18. The alternative is to post nothing.

"If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it." - Anthony J D'Angelo

To use a quote from Gaylord Fosdick's favorite writer, Will Rogers

"It's easy being a humorist when you've got the whole government working for you."

This week we talked about Elbert Hubbard, who Miriam Ross had quoted the prior week, the cruise ship wreck in Italy and pensions at American Airlines and Hostess Brands, which are both in Chapter 11. We waxed eloquent about private equity. Dorothy Feldman assigned several two minute programs based on the The Royal Bank Letter published by the Royal Bank of Canada.

I asked Dorothy for some advice about my cat wanting to go out every night even in the winter. She informs me that cats are nocturnal and want to hunt.

David Sneed

The Beginnings of PLBC

There is a great deal of uncertainty about the start of what is now known as the Positive Living Breakfast Club in Cheyenne Wyoming.

According to a Wyoming Tribune Eagle article on March 13, 1994, several members of the inactive Cheyenne SWAP, Salesmen with a Purpose, met at the Owl Inn in 1979 to discuss the feasibility of forming an independent group with similar goals.

In October of 1979, the Sales and Self Developing Associates met for the first time at the Centennial Club. In January 1980 the name was changed to Positive Living Motivators.

At some time prior to that there was a group known as the Yawn Patrol that met at Sambo's on Tuesday mornings at 6:45 am. Now that restaurant is known as The Egg and I and is a popular restaurant in Cheyenne.

Somewhere along the line the club became known as the Positive Living Breakfast Club.

The purpose of the group was and still is "To provide a means by which members meet regularly to promote positive living provide self-development ideas for members."

Dorothy Feldman is perhaps the longest continuous member. Ed Warsaw is near the top if not an equal to Dorothy. Earlier members, no longer involved, were Verle Meister who was the first chairman, Edie Gibson, Barbara Zanoni, Mary Lou Edgar and Bess Arnold.

Gaylord and Emma Fosdick have been regulars for many years and have often brought two of their grandchildren.

Michael Riversong has brought various musical instruments and has played them.

I became a member in late 2000.

The club meets now on Wednesday mornings at 7:30 at Perkins Restaurant on Dell Range Boulevard.

We buy our own breakfast and open the meeting with a reading of quotes from each attendee. We have evolved to the point where some attendees will have two or three quotes. Some may be "thoughtless" at a given meeting.

Some years back it was said that it helps to improve everyone's outlook on life if someone offers a humorous saying such as "The best way to get back on your feet is to miss two car payments."

Gaylord Fosdick frequently quotes Will Rogers.

Any type of quote is welcome.

Various subjects are discussed ranging in time from a minute to five minutes. It is all informal. There are other groups, such as Retired Firefighters, that meet at Perkins. Positive Living Breakfast Club may be the only one where people bring news articles, books, poetry and documents of subjects of interest.

Guests may come in with no advance notice and if they have a subject of interest will be given the floor.

I find it a useful time to try out new ideas and to solicit suggestions on new idea implementation in my safety and other work.

David