Rituals of the Season

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My thanks to Sheila Kay Adams for her cousin’s definition of spinsters and old maids; to Louise Guardino of the A/B Afterburners for enlightening me about softball bats; to Aria and John McElhenny, who let me borrow a clever feature from their own wedding reception; and to Daniel “Chipp” Bailey, Chief Deputy Sheriff of Mecklenburg County, NC, for his technical expertise.

District Court Judges Shelly S. Holt and Rebecca W. Blackmore, of the 5th Judicial District Court (New Hanover and Pender Counties, NC), and Special Superior Court Judge John Smith continue to keep me updated on North Carolina law and court procedures. I owe them more than I can ever repay.

Margaret Maron

Johnston County, NC