Predictions for 2010 by Greg Kristapovich
Or is it Two Thousand Ten?
In the past, the townsfolk of Columbia have been pretty good at predicting the future. So I decided, once again, to time-travel back to Columbia, (circa 1854) to get some of the folks’ predictions for 2010. Once again, they proved that they are perhaps the Mother Lode’s premier prognosticators!
“In the future; I think we’re gonna have things like where we don’t have to make toast over a fire: we can actually make it with some kind of contraption, like a toaster or toaster oven! And I think they’re gonna take all those people in Hollywood and ship them off to some other country, ‘cause their too weird! But seriously, Columbia’s just too tough to die! Columbia’s gonna stay on the map. Columbia was almost the state capitol, and I think they’re gonna switch around and say ‘To Hell with them boys in Sacramento, and they’re gonna come down here and say ‘We’re makin’ Columbia the state capitol!’” – Jim Andrasko, Columbia, (carpenter)
“Let me put on my Nostradamus hat! May the wind blow in the opposite direction and take everybody back to the East Coast! It’ll be more gold for me, then! I do predict that Nevada will prosper. It’s where the new (mining) strikes are. And that’s where everybody’s moving. Electricity would be nice – as well as indoor plumbing! We do need more showgirls, from Europe.” – Bob Lippert, Sonora, (retired from the film industry)
“I predict that the ladies of Columbia will join forces and bring out the vote! And we will have more voice in our community activities; and I know my husband will stand behind me! (When asked for her husband’s name, respondent replied “I don’t know, I haven’t picked him out yet!”) Did she have any predictions for her home town of Stockton? “Nothing good. I’m afraid we’re not bailing ourselves out like we should be. I think it’s going to take more of an awakening. The way our government is, right now; it’s just not paying attention. And, in order for it to be turned around, people are going to have to stand up and be noticed! – Joann Jenkins, Stockton, (supervisor for food distributor)
“I think that if they could get more (Mother Lode) events on the Internet, people would just love to come up here! The Internet: that’s what people are into now! They need to use the modern ways to bring the old things back!” (“Any more predictions?” I asked respondent) “I’m just going to hope for the best, because I don’t think it can get too much worse. I’m really hoping that we’ll get some industry. Maybe with these new jails, we’re gonna be the ‘jail capitol of the world’. Maybe, at least, we’ll get some jobs. Actually, I was thinking Columbia jails!” – Bonnie Wolfe, Stockton, (retired from food industry)
“I believe people are going to have more fun. They’re going to turn off their TV’s and actually talk to each other! And I think Columbia’s going to get more wild, and fun! And that’s a good New Year’s resolution, too: to have more fun!!” – Peggy Reza, Columbia, (Ukulele instructor)
