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COMPLIMENTARY
Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, March 28, 2024
Volume 16, No. 22
Skin Cancer Treatment Trials Open
Nonprofit Tackles Projects for Those in Need
Bassett Seeking Participants By TERESA WINCHESTER
By MONICA CALZOLARI
T
COOPERSTOWN o the uninitiated observer, it looks like voodoo. Thin metal cylinders, about 3 inches long, stuck around a dark circle in an inflated, rectangular piece of fabric, the color of flesh. But it’s not voodoo. It’s potentially life-saving science. In this case, it is Dr. Timothy Korytko, radiation oncologist-in-chief at Bassett’s Cancer Institute in Cooperstown, demonstrating how a trial treatment for recurrent or unresectable skin cancer is administered. “Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers. It is sometimes treated with simple surgery. This study is looking to treat cancers where there are limited other options,” Korytko said. The treatment is called “Alpha DaRT,” which stands for “Diffusing Alpha-emitters Radiation Therapy.” In May 2023, Bassett Healthcare Network announced its selection as a clinical trial site for Alpha DaRT. “The clinical trial (aka Continued on page 10 INSIDE ► new leadership for bassett healthcare network, page 2 ► Planetarium, SUNY offer eclipse activities, page 3 ► op-ed: Dump Biden due to gaza infanticide, page 4 ► March Madness not just about basketball, page 4 ► CHOOSING QUALITY OVER QUANTITY IN MILK, page 5 ► TWO HONORED FOR NATIONAL SOCIAL WORK MONTH, page 6 ► FARM BILL MUST BE INCLUSIVE OF CONSERVATION, page 6 ► free tax help, page 12 Follow Breaking News On
AllOTSEGO.com
K Photo by WilliamJayMiller.com.
Fate of RSS Housing Project Uncertain ONEONTA—As of press time on Tuesday, no decision had been made regarding the housing project solicted by the City of Oneonta and proposed by Rehabilitation Support Services. The Common Council is expected to vote on the project on Tuesday, April 2.
LIFE SKETCHES
terry berkson
Wood Carving Is Heart of Altarpiece
S
et like a jewel in the heart of Saint Jacob’s Church in the walled city of Rothenburg, Germany, Tilman Riemenschneider’s lime wood altar carving of the Last Supper is an awesome sight to behold. It was created in the latter part of the 15th century before Germany, as we know it today, existed. I learned about the altar and its creator when a German national friend treated me to an auto tour along the river Tauber, which flows past Rothenburg. Riemenschneider worked in a Gothic style and produced figures whose faces clearly expressed sensitive, complex inner emotions. While looking at the altar you could almost hear Christ saying, “One of you will betray me.” The various “Not me!” expressions on the faces of the disciples are easy to read. With representations of Riemenschneider’s work found in many churches in Germany and elsewhere, you would think that he
Photo provided
The central panel of the Altarpiece of the Holy Blood—so named because the church in which it is housed is said to contain a small sample of Christ’s blood—depicts the Last Supper, although the figure of Christ, normally portrayed at the center of such scenes, has been supplanted by Judas.
lived a successful and celebrated life, but this was not the case. The wood carver’s early work did, in fact, elevate his position in society. He eventually married a wealthy woman and for a time, as demand for his work increased, he was able to take on apprentices to aid with his productions. He even entered govern-
ment as a councilman but unfortunately a peasant revolt broke out. When he refused to obey the Prince Bishop of Wurzburg’s orders to help quell the uprising, his fate changed drastically. Eventually the ill equipped peasant army was destroyed by a strong, well-armed aristocracy. Though defeated with thousands of lives lost, Continued on page 10
ONEONTA ingdom Builders of Central New York is a local, faith-based non-profit that has completed 24 construction projects in the last three years for low-income homeowners in greater Oneonta at no charge. Its founder, Andy DeForest, has been a licensed contractor for 39 years. DeForest said, “I want to provide practical assistance to people who can’t afford needed repairs or maintenance to their homes.” He completes one project for free every month while he continues to operate his construction business. Three mission trips to New Guinea, Honduras, and Cambodia helped DeForest reconnect with the Christian community and inspired him to want to use his skills to help people in need in the Susquehanna Valley. The guiding principle of Kingdom Builders of Central New York is to “Serve God through Serving Others.” DeForest formed a multidenominational board of directors about five years ago comprised of fellow Biblebelieving individuals with significant experience in all facets of construction and business: electrical construction, maintenance, civil engineering, carpentry, finance, and human resources. DeForest lives in Sidney. His board members live in Oneonta, Otego, Morris, Mount Vision and Davenport. Some are members of Main Street Baptist Church and Wells Bridge Baptist Church. Others belong to non-denominational churches. For example, Pastor Frank MacCracken of Word of Faith Christian Family Center, is a member of the board and worked in the construction field for 15 years prior to Continued on page 9
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER EDDM PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ONEONTA PERMIT NO. 890