Andera selected 2023 Grand Marshal for Santa Parade
Wed, 11/22/2023 - 2:06pm
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By:
Daniel Evans TPD Publisher
CRESCO - It may be hard to believe, but the 2023 Santa Parade will be taking place on Friday, Nov. 24 starting at 4 p.m., allowing for the annual kick-off of the holiday season for Cresco!
Featured as the Grand Marshal for the parade will be Janet Andera, a familiar face at many area events, the Cresco Area Chamber, and especially at the Notre Dame Church as a volunteer or parish member. She was humbly honored by the Chamber in being selected as the “cheerleader” of the parade.
“It was quite a surprise,” said Andrea on being asked to be the 2023 Parade Grand Marshal. “I’ve had many come to congratulate me on the honor. I can only thank the Cresco community for that.”
Having grown up in the Schley area, Andera has been involved with Cresco throughout much of her life. Granted, she went to a one-room school house, going to the Paris #4 facility each week day near Schley, but upon getting through eighth grade, transferred to Cresco High School, where she eventually received her diploma.
“I graduated in 1956, and then married Robert in 1957,” said Andera, who has deep roots in Howard County with a Czech background. “We moved to Cresco in 1962 and started Bob’s Electric at that time. We had bought out Harry Smith’s old business.”
It was the founding of Bob’s Electric and watching her sons take over the operation that she is “most proud of” when asked about her accomplishments.
“Cresco has been very good for our business over these many years,” said Andera, who has seen the operation run for over six decades. “I truly love how well we were accepted back when we started the business and how good they have supported that business since.”
It was in the 60s and 70s the couple had raised five children and continue to be a part of the Cresco community. Dale and Darrel had purchased Bob’s Electric and are currently running the business today, while Deann, Darla and David have careers and keep “Ma” plenty busy with her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“I have 16 grandkids and 10 great grandkids,” said Andera, who loves spending time with them when she can. “It’s always great to get with the family for a meal and evening together. I’ll be hosting Thanksgiving this year, so I’m hoping they all can make it. We had 32 show up for Easter!”
To stay busy when not cooking for the family, she still helps out at Bob’s Electric, doing many of the odds and ends part time, but also spoils the employees a little, offering a nice lunch for “anyone who can make it!”
Over the years, Andrea, who is now 86, was a mainstay at the Cresco Chamber, often volunteering to sit in at the office when someone was sick or they needed an extra person to keep the office open.
Having owned a business with her husband, she was always involved with Cresco through the Retail Chamber Committee and did the different volunteer duties of planting flowers, putting up/taking down corn stocks, hanging flags and “just helping where needed.”
“I’ve even pulled weeds for the Chamber,” laughed Andrea, who said Spiff Slifka had asked her one day to help out in front of the office. “I do love gardening, but pulling weeds? Not as fun.”
She is equally involved with the church at Notre Dame parish, often getting called upon to make her homemade chicken noodle soup for the Mighty Howard County Fair. Her recipe is “one of a kind” and features homemade noodles, which makes everyone seem to come back for more every year.