After High School Walter joined the Marines and upon his return they married in June of 1961 and settled here in Kittery, and raised a family of 5 children, three girls and two boys who all still live locally and remain tight knit raising families of their own.

Walter started his own swimming pool business (Aqua Paradise Pools & Spas) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to support his “tribe”, and Brenda was a full time homemaker until the children were old enough to hold their own and then she went to work for Royal Doulton, a china shop in the Kittery outlet malls for 19 years before going to work for the family business as the retail store manager. Walter retired from the pool company in 2002 and passed the business down to his youngest son Steven who started working with him at age 12. Brenda retired in September of 2005.

Once retired and with an empty nest they couldn’t bear to sell the great big house they had raised their family in and decided to build an addition so they could have ground floor living, and turn their memory filled home into a Bed & Breakfast for others to enjoy.

They both love to entertain and spend time with their children and grandchildren at the pool cooking out, having big family dinners, going to fairs and just having fun. Walter is an avid stamp collector and they share a love for gardening and taking care of the grounds at home as well as their 3 little dogs; Reba a Yorkshire Terrier and Maggie and Harvey the two Chichuachuas,  and oh yes, Kaybee the talking Cockatiel.

The Lawrence family is a classic New England Family, and the Chickadee Bed & Breakfast is the foundation of it all.

Guest coments:  "From the time we arrived we were very impressed w/the beautiful home, pool, yard, & private rooms.  Brenda & Walt were delightful - we couldn't have asked for better hosts.  Looking forward to our next trip to Maine.  Thanks"                Melissa & Chris

"We had a fantastic time at the Chickadee!  Great hospitality, great room, and great breadfast.  If we ever come back to Maine we'll stay here."                   Christina & Nick

Thank you for a great stay, Peaceful & relaxing.  It was great to walk to the nature trail.  The room was very confortable with the soothing sound of peepers drifting in from nearby wet lands.  Thanks for the fresh fruit salads at breakfast and  perfact eggs over easy.          Helga & Jonathan