Chateau Charmant

Festive fun provided for masquerade ball attendees StoryCommentsShare ThisShareSend this page to your friendsPrintCreate a hardcopy of this pageFont Size:Default font sizeLarger font size Mail photo by Nicholas W. Inman The crowd attending Saturday Night’s Masquerade Benefit Ball was ina dancing mood at the first-ever event, held at Chateau Charmant inOlga.

Posted: Thursday, November 4, 2010 6:00 am | Updated: 3:43 pm, Tue Nov 2, 2010.

By Nicholas W. [email protected] | 0 comments

The winding roads that lead to the rural community of Olga werefilled with visitors from as far away as Columbia and Texas as 125guests descended upon the Chateau Charmant Saturday night for thefirst-ever Masquerade Benefit Ball. The event, which was hosted byRobert and Bonnie Palmer and the Fordland Clinic, brought togetherticket holders from varying professional backgrounds and age rangeswith the idea of supporting the local clinic. 

“We were real pleased with the attendance and everyone seemed tohave such a great time,” explained Bonnie Palmer. 

The Palmer family is living their life’s dream in the ruralOzarks on 149 acres they purchased from longtime residents Tommyand Wanda Ince, where they are building a castle, inspired by a15th century French chateau. Robert Palmer, a retired seniorconstruction inspector for Los Angeles, Calif., was ready to movefrom the busy life in the Golden State to a simpler life in theMissouri hills. He also wished to begin construction on a castle,which he had promised his wife in a letter, when they retired. 

Bonnie Palmer, a former art director and stylist forcommercials, knew the family had the combination of skills needed,with their daughter’s artistic talents (she also operates the craneand lift) to complete the project. 

“We have dreamed about having a costumed ball here at the castlesince we first began to build and it was so nice to see so manypeople take an interest and the participation has been terrific. Wewere so pleased to see so many wonderful costumes and the varietyof masks. There are certainly some people with great imaginations,”she said.

Those in attendance filled the cathedral area as they danced toa variety of musical genres, made complete with a dance-offcompetition at the end of the ball. “We had so much fun dancing andwatching everyone having so much fun. Some of our neighbors arereally talented dancers,” she commented. 

During the ball, Sarah McCullem of the Fordland Clinic welcomedguests and shared some of the history and mission of theclinic. 

“The clinic helps so many throughout Webster County and we arereally appreciative of all of your support this evening,” McCullemstated from the grand stage. Later, she served as master ofceremonies for the competitions that had been judged throughout theevening. 

Prizes were awarded for those who had traveled the farthest,most unique mask and costume and for the most unique couple. Prizeswere presented after the participants were asked to the stage, withaudience applause rating the winners. 

“This is an event that we hope to continue each year. It wasnice to see so many present,” she added.

The castle has become a local tourist attraction witharchitecture that features a four-story bell tower, a chapel withseating for 300, groom’s quarters, bride’s chamber (which has beenpainted like a room from Buckingham Palace), wrought ironbanisters, a bridesmaid’s sitting room (with wall paintingsreminiscent of Hampton Court and Cardinal Woosley tapestry),fountains, three turrets crowned by lion head corbels, numerousarches, a chapel boasting a ceiling 42 feet high, gothic archedwindows, columns and pediments. An angel sits atop the castle at 52feet high. 

“We came from Mansfield because we wanted to see the inside ofthe castle. We had read about it in the paper and were fascinatedto see all the work that had been completed inside of thestructure. This has been so much fun and were are certainly lookingforward to next year. This was such a great idea and I think theFordland Clinic was smart to make this an annual event,” said MattLongmore, who accompanied a large group of his friends to thefestive gathering.

As of press time, exact figures on the amount raised wereunavailable. “This ball has been the talk of the community and wehave had calls from across the Ozarks. Everyone wants to attend aball at a castle. It reminds you of something enchanted and Ienjoyed watching people’s faces as they entered this evening andnoticed the range of people present,” Palmer said. “It was a realpleasure for us to include the Fordland Clinic in this event asthey help so many people. It was a natural fit to work alongsidesuch a great organization.” 

To learn more about the Fordland Clinic, visit its website atwww.fordlandclinic.com. To schedule a tour of the Chateau Charmant,contact 241-2321.

Discuss Font Size: - + SharePrint

Posted in News on Thursday, November 4, 2010 6:00 am. Updated: 3:43 pm.

Latest News Stories Vote now in the fall kids' photo contestBeware of scammers targeting classified customersRoute 125 bridge ready for trafficBuilding up blueberries Popular Stories LIVE BLOG: Mt. Vernon vs. Rogersville Wildcats tonight!'Hereafter' beautiful, unfulfillingLady Wildcats roar their way back to Kansas CityVoting dos and don'tsFestive fun provided for masquerade ball attendees Welcome to the discussion. Log In

Current users sign in here.

Register

If you do not have an account, set one up!

It's easy to do and it's free!

Welcome to the site! Register or log in below. Login|Signup Not you?|My Dashboard|Register Logout|My Dashboard Connect with us FacebookTwitterCouponsContestsE-mail AlertsE-Edition

Calendar PrevNextNovember 2010SuMoTuWeThFrSa 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930     Featured Events + Post your event