Viola’s Ruritan Club brings neighbors together over comfort food
The small town of Viola is a community of fewer than 150 people living in rural Kent County, about 10 miles south of Dover. This area is largely residential and agricultural, though it is also home to a church, the post office and the Ruritan Club. “Viola is a cute little town, a smaller-than-Mayberry kind of town, and I hope it stays a little secret,” says local pharmacist Kim Robbins. She volunteers with the VCF Ruritan Club, which brings the communities of Viola, Canterbury and Felton together with all-you-can-eat breakfasts, chicken-and-dumpling dinners and more.
Architecture includes Minimal Traditional and contemporary builds
Homes rarely hit the market in Viola; when they do price fall between $250,000 and $600,000. The median price point is slightly higher than last year, at roughly $370,000. Properties are as varied as the options, which include early 20th-century cottages, turn-of-the-21st-century Minimal Traditional houses and contemporary new builds. Most lots are larger than half an acre.
Low-lying Viola gets an average annual rainfall of roughly 45 inches. Properties most prone to flooding are those with waterways, such as the Hudson Branch, running through. For properties within these special flood zones, homebuyers may need insurance for federally backed mortgages.
Career and tech education available at Lake Forest High
Lake Forest School District, graded B on Niche, offers school choice. Nearby schools include Lake Forest North Elementary (B-plus) for prekindergarten through Grade 3, Lake Forest Central Elementary (B) for Grades 4 through 5, W. T. Chipman Middle (B-minus) for sixth through seventh grades and Lake Forest High (B-minus) for the rest of the K-through-12 track. The high school’s career and technical education pathways include health sciences, agriculture, food and natural resources, education and training, finance and information technology.
Killens Pond offers fishing, trails and summer water fun
Robbins says Killens Pond State Park is the main recreational area near town. “There’s fishing, canoeing and frisbee golf… some wonderful trails to hike, too.” The park’s namesake, a 66-acre pond, lies at its center, stocked with bass, crappie, sunfish and more. Birders can watch the water to spy local species, including bald eagles and barred owls, on the hunt. The park’s nature preserve is another area for wildlife observation, while its water park is a summertime haven for local families, complete with concessions, a swim shop and thrilling waterslides. Near the state park, a public boat ramp provides access to another fishing hub, Coursey Pond.
Local basics and national chains within a short drive
A couple of Dollar General locations are nearby on U.S. Route 13, and folks can grab essentials from the Royal Farms along the road, too. For more commercial variety, Camden is about 5 miles up the road with Aldi, Walmart and various chain restaurants, from Bob Evans and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen to Five Guys and Chick-fil-A.
Major airports are within driving distance of Viola
Car-dependent Viola is about 10 miles from the state capital, Dover, and U.S. Route 12 is a direct route. The closest center for emergency care is at Bayhealth Hospital’s Kent Campus, less than 10 miles away. Commercial flights are at Wilmington Airport, about 50 miles away, and Philadelphia International Airport, around 80 miles away.
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Written By
Micaela Willoughby
