The Fincastle Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy hosted the First District Conference on Saturday, April 22 at Mill Creek Baptist Church. This annual event brings together members of all chapters in the district, which extends throughout Southwest Virginia from Botetourt to Lee County.

Despite the rainy day, nearly 70 people attended the event, including UDC Officers from the General (national) and Virginia Division (state), as well as Division committee chairmen and several guests. Loretta A. Caldwell provided accompaniment on the piano; Jennifer Ray served as Conference Secretary, and Janie Dillion was timekeeper. Anita Lynn Reed, First District chairman, called the meeting to order and introduced dignitaries in attendance. Helen Camper, Chapter Chaplain, gave the invocation and Harriett B. Francis, President of the Fincastle Chapter, gave a brief welcome.

Eleanor Page Price, Virginia Division President, gave introductory remarks and noted that she has several ancestors who lived in Botetourt, some of whom are buried at Fairview Cemetery in Buchanan. Virginia Division officers and committee chairmen gave reports on their respective programs and later in the day, the chapter presidents gave reports on the activities and accomplishments of their groups during the preceding year.

The members of the Fincastle Chapter would like to extend their thanks to the ladies of Mill Creek Baptist who provided an excellent luncheon. The luncheon tables were beautifully decorated by chapter members Sheryl Hall and Christine Gray. The conference attendees spoke highly of the church facilities— both the historic sanctuary and the spacious and accommodating fellowship hall. Thanks also are extended to the members of Botetourt Artillery Camp 1701 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans who presented the colors, which included a replica of the recently conserved Botetourt Dragoons flag