By Elsie Meyers

The Virginia State Police Association held its 42nd annual conference at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs on March 10-13. Approximately 250 people attended.

The VSP honor guard presented the colors. Special Agent D.J. Smith opened the meeting with a memorial prayer for the deceased. Thanks was given to the members currently serving in the military and also the ones that had already served.

The citizen appreciation awards were presented and vendors were on hand giving out material and explaining their company’s attendance. The scenery at the Homestead was very outstanding. The architecture was amazing. In the 1880s another hotel was built, and was later destroyed by fire in 1901. 

The Modern Homestead has 483 guest rooms, conference rooms, shops, formal and casual restaurants, ballrooms, a movie theater, a library, a family park, a ski slope and pool. The 2,300 acres has a lot of recreational activities. The resort is especially known for its golf program, which has produced two top players Sam Snead and J.C. Snead and served as a training ground for 37 golf professionals. A special guest is asked to cut the cake.

The Homestead is 250 years old.