Cecil County will play host to the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill in October, and this new event promises to take the sport to its highest level. There is only one other 5 Star-ranked event in the United States, and only seven in the world. The Fair Hill Natural Resources Area has long been known as a premier venue for all types of equestrian sports. In this issue of Cecil County Life, we offer a preview of the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill, which will certainly be one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the county during the next few months.

We also profile JoAnn S. Dawson, who is certainly one of the most interesting—and busiest—people in the area. Dawson is the co-owner of Fairwinds Farm & Stable in North East, and she is also an author, actress, entrepreneur, speaker and screenwriter.

We talk to Chesapeake City’s Nick Cusmano, who is an award-winning photographer after enjoying a long career in the business world. Cusmano has long been fascinated by photos, but he is only now able to truly dedicate himself to photography. He was one of two featured photographers in the 2019 Cecil County Arts Council show.

Parks are an asset for any community. We talk to the Friends of Cecil County Parks and Recreation, a nonprofit organization that, as the name suggests, serves as a major supporter of the county’s parks.

For years, Fair Hill resident Chris Malinowski has combined the artistry of his music with his work as a filmmaker. This past January, Malinowski tapped into both with a stunning new music video called "Confetti." Writer Richard L. Gaw spoke with Malinowski about the making of the video, that was filmed at several sites in Cecil County.

In our Cecil Life Q & A, Cecil College Adult Education teacher Debra Stevens shares the arc of her journey that began when she was a high school dropout, was followed by academic achievement and several degrees and now brings her to Cecil College, inspiring her students to pursue their dreams.

The subject of the photo essay is Valhalla Brewing Company, which has received glowing reviews from its customers, who rave about the microbrew pub’s ever-changing assortment of microbrews and an incredible menu – all served with a laid-back vibe.

We hope you enjoy these stories and we’re already hard at work planning the next issue of Cecil County Life that will arrive in the fall of 2021. If you have any suggestions for stories for that issue, please contact us.