Nation Loses a Dear Friend

The Nation lost a beloved family member last Tuesday with the untimely passing of our Tournament Director Cindy Smelgus. This shocking news came as Cindy was preparing to kick off our 2022 tournament season.
Cindy was dynamic and passionate to say the least in her dedication to the Nation and the duties that she performed. These went beyond just being our Tournament Director. I could always rely on her to assist me with organizing and informing membership above and beyond tournament protocols. If I needed assistance with setup at our events she was usually the first to show and the last to leave. We just recently joked about that at our President’s Conference.
I spent more time in her company than most helping her with running tournaments not because I had to but because it was an enjoyable experience planning and working with her. I did my best to stay out of her way on tournament day. I let here run the show because, well frankly, she did a better job than I would have. The Friday before her passing she and I shared our tournament expertise with Maryland Parks and Recreation members at Little Seneca Lake helping them to organize a fund-raising event planned for October.
We knew her family as well. In the early day’s she would show up with her young daughters, Lauren and Meagan, in tow and they would pitch in the best they could to help Mom.
Cindy was our mom, our Den Mother as we affectionately called her, and she will be missed.
A Go Fund Me account has been established. For those wishing to contribute go to gofundme.com and search Cindy Smelgus.