By Mike Finney

DOVER — King Cole Farm hopes to become known for much more than its corn and soybean farm.

The farm, between Pickering Beach on the Delaware Bay and the Dover Air Force Base, is trying to build a reputation for hosting weddings and other formal or casual events on the 500-acre property.

The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for King Cole Farm on Aug. 13 at 1730 Bayside Drive in Dover. Chamber members, friends and staff joined Jim and Annemarie Dickerson to celebrate the grand opening of Central Delaware’s newest event venue.

The mission of King Cole Farm is to offer families and friends a place to come together to make unforgettable memories in the property’s stunning spaces.

The farm was originally owned by Audrey Owens Draper and Harry Draper of Milton. Mr. Draper was an owner of the King Cole Canning Company.

The main residence was built in 2003 and, in 2006, the pole barn was completed by Sally Draper Dickerson and Chester T. Dickerson Jr., as their residence and farming operation.

Throughout the years, the couple often celebrated weddings, anniversaries, reunions, birthdays and holidays at King Cole Farm with many friends and family members. It was their wish upon their passing to keep the property operational and maintained for generations to come.

Jim and Annemarie relocated to Delaware to continue that legacy of gathering and celebration.

Specializing in weddings, the venue is also available for family reunions, meetings, small group getaways, corporate events, fundraisers, charity events and more. Property tours are available by appointment.

With everything from tables, linens and chairs to wedding planning services, ample parking, a dance floor, bridal suite and more, King Cole Farm offers two options on the weekends: day-of-event-only pricing and full weekend pricing; reduced daily prices are offered during the week.

King Cole Farm is eager to give back by continuing their family’s tradition and offering their venue to the surrounding community. The owners are interested in assisting nonprofits and other local agencies by helping to create a space for their events.

For more information or to arrange for a tour of King Cole Farm, call 302-677-1730.

Artisans’ Bank breaks ground on new office

Artisans’ Bank, which was founded in 1861, recently announced that it has broken ground on a new office on Del. 24, at the southeast corner entrance of the Beebe Healthcare Campus between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach.

Scheduled to open in spring 2022, the facility will accommodate both the consumer and commercial banking needs of its existing and new local customers.

To complement the customer service stations, the branch will offer a small business center, coffee bar, two drive-up banking lanes, a drive-up ATM and a night depository.

Attached to the branch will be an office environment to serve commercial and consumer lending customers within the community.

Beth Albano, president and CEO of Artisans’ Bank, said she is excited about relocating to a new facility on Del. 24.

“We are excited to continue to invest in and serve the Rehoboth Beach and Sussex County markets,” she said. “The relocation of our current Rehoboth operations to our new facility on (Del.) 24 allows us to better serve the local community by providing convenient access to our full complement of retail and commercial banking products and services.

“We are looking forward to providing our existing and future customers with Artisans’ exceptional service from our new location.”

Artisans’ Bank has 12 retail branch locations and two community-based lending hubs in Kent and Sussex counties.