COUNTRY LOVES: FIONA CUTTER

FIONA CUTTER grew up in Barrington on a small family farm with her two siblings, Sinead and Brendan. After graduating from Barrington High School in 2017 she received a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in 2022. Currently, Cutter works for a local retina surgeon while she continues her education in health care. A proud member of the Barrington Rotary Club, Cutter is also the volunteer director of development for the local nonprofit ophthalmology charity, FOCUS. Growing up in Barrington taught Cutter a lot about two things—horses and philanthropy. With her horse Kydd, Cutter has competed across the United States (winning her first international competition at home in Barrington) and worked for renowned equestrians, including Buck Davidson and Jennifer Rousseau.

FIONA LOVES

Gadget: My Apple Watch! Keeps me running on time (mostly) Scent: Jo Malone’s Myrrh & Tonka Barrington spot: Region Kitchen + Bar in the Foundry. They make the best Bang Bang Cauliflower you’ll ever have! Hostess gift to receive: Homebaked goods Gift to give: Fresh eggs from our family farm or banana bread, as there always seems to be a steady supply of both at my house

What actress would play you in a movie? Chalk it up to my Irish roots, but if I could pick anyone to play me in a movie, it would be Saoirse Ronan. She’s an American-born Irish actress who has the bandwidth to play all sorts of roles. She leans classic but also embraces a wildcard character, something I can appreciate. Though my sister is the true ginger in our family, I think Saoirse and I both have the whole strawberry blonde look going for us. Who from history would you want to travel with? Dr. Paul Farmer. He is an infectious disease specialist and anthropologist who revolutionized medicine in rural Haiti, Rwanda, and other low-resource settings. He founded an organization called “Partners in Health” that works to ensure that quality health care is a universal human right. He famously said, “The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world.” Dr. Farmer’s teachings and principles are what I hope to carry with me in all the places I have the privilege to go. Where do you look for inspiration? I draw inspiration from the many people in my life who are working to make a positive impact on the world, like my fellow Barrington Rotarians. The Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self ”, resonates strongly with me. I feel fortunate to be a part of this incredible group of humanitarians who are committed to improving the lives of others. Favorite book? This was an easy one—my love for Pride and Prejudice knows no bounds. Call me a cliché all you want, but Jane Austen knows women and how to write them. Plus, the 2005 movie Pride & Prejudice (not the 1995 series drama) was a cinematic masterpiece that I may or may not be able to quote word for word. Most beloved cookbook? The Blue Zones Kitchen by Dan Buettner. Buettner’s book is the best of all worlds: food; culture; history; and a smidge of science. His book is a collection of recipes inspired by the cultures of some of the happiest and healthiest places on earth. His tagline is “100 recipes to live to 100.” Best dinner party hack? Dinner? As in dinner-dinner? Or do Cup O’ Noodles still count? Really, my best hack is to embrace bonfires, pizza from Lou Malnati’s, paper plates, and great company. You’ll have all your bases covered and are guaranteed to have the best time. What’s in your bag right now? Only the essentials. Summer Fridays Sweet Mint Lip Butter Balm, mini-packages of Advil and Tylenol, Band- Aids, peppermint gum, and dog treats. Can’t forget the dog treats.