The Center at Donaldson
DONALDSON – Since 1871, Donaldson has sat just west of Plymouth and if you’ve driven past it on US30, you might miss it. However, there’s more to the unincorporated area than meets the eye. It’s home to The Center at Donaldson which serves as the hub for five different enterprises. The list includes Ancilla Beef and Grain Farm, Ancilla College, Catherine Kasper Life Center, Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center, and MoonTree Studios.
Ancilla Beef and Grain Farm
A ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, the farm models rural family farming. They do this by raising grain and the quality of their beef in a friendly and natural environment.
The farm helps to sustain The Center at Donaldson, but also helps by contributing to the food supply of the communities around them. Canned beef can be purchased at the center by visiting the location or online. The beef is chunks of beef that is fully cooked and can be used in a variety of recipes. The farm grows its own hay, corn, soybeans, oats, alfalfa, and triticale.
Ancilla Domini College
Sponsored by the Congregation of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Ancilla Domini College is a two-year, liberal arts college. It was established in 1937. Since 1973, Ancilla has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the United States. Ancilla offers degrees in many fields including Veterinary Nursing, Agriculture: Animal Science, Agriculture: Crop Science, Behavioral Science, Business Administration, Communication: Mass Media,
Communication Studies, Computer Information Systems, Criminal Justice, Culinary Arts, English, Elementary Education, among many others.
Catherine Kasper Life Center
The Catherine Kasper Life Center is a Continuing Care Retirement Community that provides both independent-living retirement apartments and a skilled nursing care facility. Overlooking Lake Gilbraith, the life center is a non-profit care, 81-bed facility. The center is a faithbased community with a holistic approach. It provides a wide range of care services.
Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center
Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center offers individuals and groups an environment for faith development, personal and spiritual growth, team building and artistic endeavors. The newest renovation was completed at the end of 2009. This renovation added five meeting rooms, a bookstore, restrooms, office space, and storage. Meeting rooms are available for churches, schools, civic organizations, and corporations for meetings, conferences, and other events.
MoonTree Studios
According to their website, MoonTree Studios challenges people to experience mindfulness as they explore the interconnectedness of art, nature, and the Spirit within. MoonTree Studios offers many exciting events ranging from art exhibits to musical concerts. For example, on July 13 they will be holding the event Building a Cedar Strip Canoe: One Man’s Journey. This event is a how-to-do-ityourself story of starting with raw wood to design, build, and successfully embark in a hand-made canoe by using or acquiring the basic woodworking skills needed along the way. Facilitator Phil Coffey will share resources, pictures, and step-by-step scenarios of problems and how to solve them. MoonTree Studios also offers events in quilting.
These five entities combine in serving as The Center at Donaldson and provides Marshall County, Starke County, and the surrounding communities with their many talents, services, and events. For more information about The Center at Donaldson:
The Center at Donaldson is located at 9601 Union Road.