Small Wonder Gallery and Frameshop on the Public Landing in Camden has officially been handed over to the second generation.  The gallery was established in 1984 by Kathy and Michael Valente. Kathy and Michael are still involved in the business but are pleased to have given the reins to their daughter, Elizabeth Senders.  Elizabeth has been working at the gallery since she moved back to Maine in 2008.

Since her takeover, Elizabeth has launched an updated website for the gallery, smallwondergallery.com.  She also decided to remain open this winter with an abbreviated schedule; she likes the idea of the gallery once again being a year-round part of the community.

The gallery will continue to feature local artists and scenery in a variety of mediums and to offer high-quality custom framing.  Looking toward the summer season, Elizabeth plans to bring in at least one new jeweler and a new painter.  Stacy Stevenson has been the lead framer at Small Wonder for 15 years, and Brenda Grigo is starting her fifth season as a full-time sales person; she is also an artist and an experienced framer. 

Small Wonder Gallery is located at 1 Public Landing in Camden.  The gallery can be reached at (207) 236 6005, art@smallwondergallery.com, or www.smallwondergallery.com.  Winter hours are Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Other times are available by appointment.  The gallery will resume a full schedule in mid-April. 

ROCKLAND — Thomas Peaco, Executive Director of the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, announced that Diane Norton has been hired to serve as director of member marketing and development. Norton commenced her role on February 1.

Peaco said in a news release: "We are thrilled to welcome Diane to our Chamber staffing team. She is a familiar face in our business community, and she brings great knowledge of our region to this new role. She will be a tremendous resource to our members in marketing their businesses through the chamber."

Norton's responsibilities will include broadening the chamber's membership, while working with existing members to use their marketing opportunities through the chamber.

Norton is not new to the chamber, having served as Advertising Sales Manager for the 2015 and 2016 editions of Discover the Jewel of the Maine Coast, the Chamber's annual visitor guide, and as Interim Publication Manager in 2008 and 2009. She has 25 years of experience in the newspaper business, including 20 years at The Camden Herald and Courier Publications, and was vice president of marketing at Camden National Bank from 2008 to 2013. Since then, Norton has provided business consultation in the areas of development, marketing, communications and small project management.

"The chamber plays such an important role in the promotion of our region and of our entire business community," said Norton in a news release. "I'm pleased to join the Chamber team to help bolster and strengthen our membership while publicizing the many marketing and promotional opportunities available to our members.

Originally from Massachusetts, Norton holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and art from the University of Maine. Norton is executive director of the Maine Press Association, and serves on the board of directors of New Hope for Women. She resides in Camden with her husband, Sandy Ellsworth.

Norton can be reached at diane@penbaychamber.com and at 207-596-0376.

As the third largest chamber of commerce in the state of Maine, representing 21 communities from Port Clyde to Lincolnville, the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce is also one of the largest membership-driven community organizations in the area. With Visitor Information Centers in Camden and Rockland, the Chamber serves businesses, nonprofits, government, and citizens in support of a vibrant and growing region with unparalleled quality of life and quality of place. For more information, visit penbaychamber.com.