The Randolph Rotary Club has named Janet Watton of Randolph Center as its Citizen of the Year for 2010.

For 14 years, Watton has overseen the growth of the Chandler Center for the Arts as president of the Chandler board and as volunteer-in-chief.

Presenting the award, Rotarian Steven Dimick noted that her leadership of Randolph premier cultural organization was capped this year with the completion of the $3-million Centennial Project, an expansion and renovation of the 1907 building in preparation for its second century.

In a brief response, Watton noted that she was “honored and humbled” and was proud to live in a community that has so many active, engaged citizens.

“I’m happy to live among such folks she said.”

She also noted that credit for Chandler’s recent success should not go to her. Pointing out that she is an avid football fan, she said that while some credit for a successful season should go to the coach, most of it should go to the players, from the quarterback to the linebackers and wide receivers.

Naming some of those most active in Chandler affairs, she reflected that “None of this would have happened if they were not with the team.”

Dimick noted that during Watton’s watch at Chandler, the organization has managed a steady expansion of programming at a time when other arts presenters were shrinking.

The new programming has included the popular Mud Season Variety Show and the Mini-Mud show for young people, as well as the annual Fourth of July musical that places 100 young people from the community on the Chandler stage.

Meanwhile, Chandler continues to be a leader in presenting classical music, and has continued its two annual festivals—the one-day New World Festival and the two-week Central Vermont Chamber Music Festival in August.

With the help of an earlier fundraising drive, the facility added air conditioning in 2003, and it purchased the Laundromat next door to get clear title for the Chandler building.

The cultural center is now regularly cited as an important factor for people moving to the Randolph area, he noted.

Tireless Volunteer

Besides being chair of the board, Watton has been a tireless volunteer, Dimick noted, putting at least 20 unpaid hours per week into the organization.

After volunteering all day in the Children’s Tent at this year’s New World Festival, he said, she was spotted at 8 a.m. the next morning painting woodwork in the upstairs gallery space in preparation for the building’s open house.

She also personally bakes all the delicious offerings served after every classical concert at the Music Hall.

Dimick noted that Watton grew up as a “faculty brat” as her father taught at Weslyan College in Connecticut. She was active in both theater and music.

She and her husband Harry decided to retire to Vermont when their son was at Dartmouth. To decide exactly where to move, she had Harry close his eyes and point at a Vermont map. His finger landed on Randolph.

For a lark, the couple decided to actually come to Randolph and see a realtor, and before they knew it they had bought the house on Davis Road where they still live.