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The cast of 'Frosty', from left, Caroline Meyers, Terrence Bryce Sheldon, Natalie Seus, Patrick McCowen and Jae Hughes in a scene from the show. Photo courtesy of The John W. Engeman Theater
A scene from 'Frosty'. Photo courtesy of The John W. Engeman Theater
A scene from 'Frosty'. Photo courtesy of The John W. Engeman Theater
A scene from 'Frosty'. Photo courtesy of The John W. Engeman Theater
The cast of 'Frosty'. Photo courtesy of The John W. Engeman Theater
The popular holiday show has been extended to Jan. 7.

By Julianne Mosher

Frosty the snowman is a fairytale, they say. He was made of snow but the children know how he came to life one day. This long-time holiday favorite is now playing at the Engeman Theater in Northport and it’s certainly one you need to bring the kids to.

This modern take on the classic tale brings the holiday musical to life with catchy sing-a-longs and plenty of audience participation. Directed by Andrew McCluskey with stage manager and choreographer Jillian Sharpe, Frosty is not only wholesome, but shares important messages of friendship.

The show starts off with narrator Candy Kane Carolyn (Caroline Meyers) who gives the lay of the land in Chillsville — a little town with a population of about 500 that’s always covered in snow. It’s the townspeople’s favorite thing. She introduces us to Jenny (Natalie Seus), the mayor’s daughter, who loves to play outside, but usually by herself. She doesn’t have many friends. 

With the help of her father (Terrence Bryce Sheldon), they build a snowman in the park and name him Frosty. The mayor gives Jenny his scarf that she eventually puts onto the snowman, and because there was so much love in that piece of fabric, Frosty (played by Patrick McCowen) comes to life. 

We’re introduced to Ebenezer Pierpot (played last weekend by swing actor Christina Cotignola, but typically Jae Hughes), the president of Pierpot Enterprises — a manufacturer of snow shovels, snowblowers, and ice scrapers — who want to build a bigger factory in the park but can’t do that with all the snow. During a meeting at town hall, Pierpot tricks the mayor into signing a contract to build a machine that will melt all the snow in the town, putting Frosty’s life in jeopardy. They describe it as a giant outdoor dehumidifier. 

As the weather gets warmer, Jenny must come up with a plan to save the town and make sure her new friend Frosty doesn’t melt away.

Frosty is full of fun surprises, but the best part of all is seeing the enthusiasm on the children in the audience’s faces. What is so special is that as soon as you sit down, the actors on stage start to interact with the kids, asking them questions, making them sing along and even asking for advice. They call on them to tell the rest of the audience what ideas they have throughout the show which could help Frosty and his friend.

Being included in the conversations on stage definitely make the children sitting in the seats below feel validated and important, like they are part of the show as well.

Meet the cast in the lobby after the show for pictures and autographs. An autograph page is conveniently located at the back of the program. 

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Frosty, which has been extended through Jan. 7. Running time is 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. 

Children’s theater continues with Disney’s Frozen Jr. from Jan. 27 to March 3, and Alice in Wonderland will follow on March 26 to April 28. All seats are $20. For more information or to order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

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A HOLIDAY CLASSIC Catch a screening of 'The Muppet Christmas Carol' at the Cinema Arts Centre on Dec. 17.
PROGRAMS

First Steps in Nature

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown will host a First Steps into Nature program titled Scales & Tails: Turtles, Snakes, Lizards, Chameleons on Dec. 15 and 22 at 9:30 a.m. Children ages 2 to 4 will learn about nature through hands on activities, music, crafts, stories and gain a greater appreciation of nature and wildlife while having fun. $75 for all 4 classes, $20 per class. To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344 

Calling all Little Vikings! 

Sons of Norway Loyal Lodge Hall, 201 7th St., St. James will host a frozen-themed craft and a make-your-own Scandinavian Christmas Spice Sachet on Dec. 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  A delicious snack will be served! Appropriate for ages 3 to 11, but all are welcome to attend this FREE event by RSVP’ing via text to 347-886-3679.

Gingerbread House Workshop

Join Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Road, East Setauket for a Gingerbread House Workshop on Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon or 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mix in some gingerbread, some candy, some yummy icing, and some creativity, and this workshop is a hit! Each child will go home with a gingerbread home and many crafts made on the farm. For ages 4 to 10. $55 per child. To register, call 631-689-8172.

Arctic Animals

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park hosts a family program, Arctic Animals, on Dec. 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Take a trip to the North Pole to explore what animals live there and visit here and how they survive in such icy temperatures. For ages 12 and up. $4 per person. Reservations taken at www.eventbrite.com.

Winter FUNderland

Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport presents a Winter FUNderland, an afternoon of holiday fun on Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. Kids will learn about the December Holidays while making crafts, enjoying hot chocolate and listening to a reading of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas by Northport Mayor Donna Koch with a special appearance by Santa! $5 per child, adults free. Advance registration required by visiting www.northporthistorical.org.

Storytime Under the Stars

Join the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport for its next Storytime Under the Stars on Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. A live narrator at the front of the theater will bring selected seasonal picture books to life, with pages projected onto the Planetarium dome for families to enjoy the illustrations and follow along. Between stories, an astronomy educator will explore seasonal constellations visible from here on Long Island. Admission fee is $8 per person. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

THEATER

‘Barnaby Saves Christmas’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off the holiday season with Barnaby Saves Christmas from Nov. 18 to Dec. 30. As Barnaby the elf and his reindeer friend Franklynne set off on their journey to save Christmas, they meet some new friends along the way and learn the true meaning of Christmas, Hanukkah, and the holiday season. All tickets are $12. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Frosty’

Frosty returns to the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport on weekends from Nov. 25 to Jan. 7. Join Jenny and Frosty on their chilly adventures as they try to save the town of Chillsville from mean old Ebenezer Pierpot and his evil machine that will melt all the snow. Jenny calls on her Mom, the mayor, and all of you to help her save her home, get Frosty to the North Pole, and make this holiday season a Winter Wonderland for one and all! All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘Frozen Jr.’

Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main Street, Smithtown presents Frozen Jr. from Dec. 2 to Jan. 21. The magical land of Arendelle comes to life onstage. When faced with danger, princesses Elsa and Anna discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen Jr. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart! Tickets are $25 per person. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.

FILM

‘The Polar Express’

Put on your PJ’s and join the Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Chamber of Commerce for a Polar Express Experience at the Chamber Train Car, corner of Route 112 and Nesconset Highway, Port Jefferson Station for the holidays. Screenings of The Polar Express will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22; and at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Dec. 16, 17 and 23. $20 per person includes a bag of popcorn, bottle of water, hot chocolate, cookie, bell, and a visit with Santa! To register, visit www.PJSTChamber.com.

‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! series with a screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol on Dec. 17 at noon. Tis the season for love, laughter and one of the most cherished stories of all time. Join Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and all the hilarious Muppets in this merry, magical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale. One fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Together with Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) and his family, Scrooge will learn the true meaning of Christmas. Rated G. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children 12 and under. www.cinemaartscentre.org.

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A scene from a previous production of ‘The Nutcracker.’ Photo from Dimitri Papadakos

The Seiskaya Ballet’s Nutcracker, a perennial holiday favorite on Long Island, returns to Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts Main Stage, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook for a five-performance run from Dec. 15 to 17. This classical ballet rendition has earned praise from critics and audiences alike. 

Seiskaya Ballet principal dancer Madeleine Martufi

The cast will be led by guest artist David Wright, dancing the dual roles of Cavalier/Nutcracker, a featured artist with the Dance Theater of Harlem. Seiskaya Ballet’s award winning principal dancers Vivian Ye, Madeleine Martufi, Nina Zhang and Kaede Urso plus returning principal dancers Brianna Jimenez, Eva Pyrros, Diana Atoian and Lara Caraiani.

Seiskaya Ballet’s Nutcracker is truly an international collaboration beginning with Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s most famous score.  Sets and several costumes were designed by Poland’s Margaret Piotrowska whose highly respected work in Polish television and stage productions has garnered wide praise. Directed by founder Joseph Forbes, scenery was executed by Scenic Art Studios which has been credited with painting over 300 Broadway shows.  The imaginative and unusual sculptures utilized in the Seiskaya Ballet’s production were the brainchild of creative artist Matt Targon. Choreographed by celebrated Russian-born Valia Seiskaya, this acclaimed production is imbued with bravura dancing, energy and endearing charisma.

Performances will be held on Friday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are $45 for adults, $38 children and seniors. To order, call 631-632-ARTS (2787) or visit www.nutcrackerballet.com.

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SOUNDS OF THE SEASON Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum will give a special evening tour of the decorated Eagle’s Nest Mansion on Dec. 16. Photo courtesy of Vanderbilt Museum
Ongoing

Riverhead Holiday Light Show

The Riverhead Holiday Light Show, 149 Edwards Ave., Calverton runs through Dec. 30. The largest drive-through light show in Suffolk County features dozens of dazzling displays to delight the entire family! Tickets can be purchased online at www.holidaylightshow.com.

Girl Scouts Holiday Light Show

The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County presents its 20th annual Girl Scout Holiday Light Show at Southaven County Park in Yaphank through December 30. This year, the light show will be a fully immersive, walk-through Enchanted Forest, which features 80 illuminated holiday-themed displays along with photos with Santa, picnics with s’mores, music, and games for visitors to enjoy. For tickets, visit www.gssclightshow.com.

Holiday Illuminations

The Smithtown Historical Society, 239 Main St., Smithtown presents Holiday Illuminations every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 31. from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Explore the Society’s grounds illuminated for the holiday season! Every half hour, the historical buildings will be brought to life with stunning visuals and animations, telling enchanting holiday tales. Food trucks, vendors, live music and a visit from Santa will add to the festive atmosphere. Tickets online are $22 adults, $17 seniors, $12 children at www.holidayilluminations2023.com. 631-265-6768

Festival of Trees

Visit the Festival of Trees, a month long extravaganza to kick off the holiday shopping season, on the second floor of the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson Dec. 1 through Jan. 2, 2024 (except Dec. 25) from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free. 473-4778

Thursday Dec. 14

Winter Secrets Walking Tour

Bundle up and enjoy the historical spirit of Stony Brook this winter with a Winter Secrets Walking Tour today at 9:50 a.m. or Dec. 15 at 1:50 p.m. Participants stroll Stony Brook Village to discover multiple wintry stories of Stony Brook Village. Learn about Arctic fever and the icy dramas surrounding Stony Brook Village artifact, the Polaris whaleboat; hear of turn-of-the-century holiday parties hosted by “upstairs” elite socialite Alida Chandler Emmet; discover the extraordinary history of Stony Brook Village’s fire department, and more! $25 per person. Participants receive a bottle of wine from Lakeside Wine Emotion with their purchase of ticket. Registration is required by calling 631-751-2244.

Garden of Lights

The spirit of the season has returned. Sachem Library, 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook presents it’s 5th annual Garden of Lights: A Sky Full of Stars, a community-built walk-through light show for all ages, tonight and Dec. 15 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Experience a community-built walk-through light show for all ages. Free. 631-588-5024

Nutcracker Holiday Show

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook will present its Nutcracker Holiday Show tonight, Dec. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. Enjoy a Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, one of the most often performed Jazz versions of the holiday classic. The show will feature The Jazz Loft’s 17-piece Big Band, led by Tom Manuel, and Danny Bacher on vocals. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students and $25 children at www.thejazzloft.org.

Friday Dec. 15

Winter Secrets Walking Tour

See Dec. 14 listing.

Garden of Lights

See Dec. 14 listing.

Nutcracker Holiday Show

See Dec. 14 listing.

Basket Auction Fundraiser

Enjoy a good time for a good cause as the Middle Country Special Education PTA hosts a Basket Auction Fundraiser at Centereach High School, 14-43rd Street, Centereach in its cafeteria at 6 p.m. with over 150 raffles, holiday music, face painting, games and giveaways. 631-285-8010

Victorian Holiday Walking Tour

Cozy up with a cup of hot cocoa and join the staff at The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor for a walk through the quaint, waterside village to explore the surprising Victorian origins of many modern holiday traditions tonight at 5 p.m. or Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. View historic buildings along Main Street and discover how local families gathered for Thanksgiving, made merry at Christmas, and rang in the New Year — and how those celebrations would have been very different for whalers out at sea! Recommended for ages 12 and over. Tickets are $15 per person at www.cshwhalingmuseum.org. 631-367-3418

Holiday Spectacular

Town of Brookhaven’s Holiday Spectacular, an indoor, walk-through holiday light show, returns to Holtsville Ecology Site, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville tonight, Dec. 16 and Dec. 17; hours on Fridays and Saturdays are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission to this event is $10 per adult; $8 for seniors, veterans and children under 12; children 3 and under are free. Photos available with Santa for an additional fee; credit cards only, no cash accepted. Tickets must be purchased in advance at BrookhavenNY.gov/Holiday. 631-451-5330.

Saturday Dec. 16

Nutcracker Holiday Show

See Dec. 14 listing.

Holiday Spectacular

See Dec. 15 listing.

Holiday Train Display

Longwood Estate, corner of Longwood Road and Smith Road, Ridge will host a Holiday Train Display today, Dec. 17, and Dec. 26 to 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participate in an “I Spy” game and try to find all the hidden items in the display. Free event. 631-924-1820

Santa on the Farm

Santa Claus is coming back by to Long Island Game Farm, 489 Chapman Blvd., Manorville by popular demand. Meet the jolly fellow in the heated Woodland Hall today and Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as Long Island Game Farm transforms into a holiday wonderland. Feed deer in the park, meet Santa Claus, bring your camera to take treasured family photos, enjoy a craft table, and explore the holiday gift boutique — all included in the admission fee. 631-878-6644.

Selden Craft & Gift Fair

One of the country’s longest continuously running indoor craft fairs, the 41st annual Selden Craft & Gift Fair, will return to Newfield High School, 145 Marshall Drive, Selden today and Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Over 200 exhibitors offer hand picked gift items including photography, textiles, soy candles, crafted jewelry, floral, organic soaps, country crafts and more. Free admission. 631-846-1459

Superheroes of the Sky 

Stop by Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown for Superheroes of the Sky from 11 a.m. to noon. Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds the Center’s Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about a Bald Eagle, Turkey Vultures, owls, hawks and many more. $10 per adult, $5 per child (Under 12y), To register, visit www.sweetbriarnc.org.

Long Island Yule Festival

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington, 109 Browns Road, Huntington hosts The Long Island Yule Festival, a celebration of the Winter Solstice, from noon to 6 p.m. with local vendors, cultural workshops, free activities such as holiday crafts and a storybook time for the kids, and visits from Krampus, The Yule Goat, Santa Claus and others. 631-609-5661

Sounds of the Season

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents its annual Sounds of the Season from 5 to 9 p.m. Enjoy special evening tours of the decorated Eagles Nest Mansion and be serenaded by timeless Bing Crosby melodies, relive President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Christmas Eve commemorations, and special holiday episodes of Suspense Radio. The Vanderbilt Mansion’s halls were decked by the Museum’s curators in collaboration with the Dix Hills, Centerport, Three Village, Asharoken, and Nathan Hale garden clubs. $15 tickets can be purchased at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Tricycle Holiday Concert

First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson hosts a special holiday concert featuring Tricycle, the Fortier family trio, with their band and special guests at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets only are $25 adults, $15 students at www.gpjac.org/special-concerts. 516-313-3838

Sunday Dec. 17

Victorian Holiday Walking Tour

See Dec. 15 listing.

Holiday Spectacular

See Dec. 15 listing.

Holiday Train Display

See Dec. 16 listing.

Santa on the Farm

See Dec. 16 listing.

Selden Craft & Gift Fair

See Dec. 16 listing.

Winter Farmers Market

Spirit of Huntington Art Center, 2 Melville Road North, Huntington Station hosts the Long Island Winter Farmers market every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through March. With over 35 vendors, some new and some returning, plus guest vendors through out the season. Come shop local for the month of December — there will be lots of gifts for the holidays!

Holiday Craft Fair

Backstage Studio of Dance, 200 Wilson Street, Port Jefferson hosts a Holiday Craft Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with over 30 vendors offering arts, crafts, jewelry, homemade gifts, soaps, clothing, personalized items, baked goods, hair bows, crocheted items and so much more. 631-502-3643

Northport Walking Tour

Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport hosts a walking tour at 1:30 p.m. Local historian Dan Sheehan weaves the tale of Northport’s Historic Business District during this lively walking tour of Main Street. Travel back in time as you hear the stories of the people and landmarks that helped shape Northport, including Jack Kerouac, the Northport Oyster Barons, Rum Runners and the Trolley. All ages welcome. Cost is $7 per person. To register, visit www,northporthistorical.org.

Monday Dec. 18

TVHS lecture

Three Village Historical Society presents their last lecture of the year at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket at 7 p.m. John G. Staudt will discuss Conserving Our Natural Resources: Theodore Roosevelt and his Use of Power. After becoming president in 1901, TR used his executive authority to establish 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, four national game preserves, five national parks and 18 national monuments on over 230 million acres of public land. This talk explores the history of TR’s conservation legacy and addresses the question: What exactly is the role of the federal government in regard to the conservation of our natural resources? Free and open to all. Donations appreciated. 631-751-3730

Tuesday Dec. 19

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a discussion by Eileen Swanberg about genealogy investigation at the “Terryville Search Center.” Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Travel Presentation Club Meeting

The Travel Presentation Club will meet at Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main Street, Setauket at 7 p.m. Malcolm and Waveney Bowman will make a presentation entitled “Explosive New Zealand: volcanoes and earthquakes.” Please contact [email protected] for further information.

Wednesday Dec. 20

No events listed for this day.

Thursday Dec. 21

No events listed for this day.

Film

Kubrick: A Cinematic Odyssey

From Dec. 15 to Dec. 21, the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will present a retrospective featuring some of Stanley Kubrick’s most iconic groundbreaking films: The Shining (Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.); 2001: A Space Odyssey (Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.); Paths of Glory (Dec. 17 at 7 p.m.); Lolita on Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m.); Barry Lyndon (Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.); and Eyes Wide Shut (Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m.) Tickets are $15, $10 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘Scrooge’

Join Celebrate St. James for a screening of Scrooge (1951) starring Alastair Sim at the St. James Calderone Theatre, 176 Second St., St. James on Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. with informative commentary, light refreshments and fresh popcorn. Tickets are $25 adults, $20 seniors. To RSVP, call 631-984-0201 or visit www.celebratestjames.org.

Theater

‘Every Christmas Story Ever Told’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) from Nov. 25 to Dec. 23. Three actors decide to perform every Christmas story ever told — plus Christmas traditions from around the world, seasonal icons from ancient times to topical pop-culture, and every carol ever sung. A madcap romp through the holiday season! Recommended for ages 12 and up. Tickets are $32 adults, $30 seniors, $28 students. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org. 

‘A Christmas Carol’

“I will honor Christmas in my heart…” Celebrate the season with A Christmas Carol at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson from Nov. 11 to Dec. 30. Follow the miser Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey that teaches him the true meaning of Christmas — past, present, and future. Join them for the  38th annual production of the immortal classic in all of its thrills, music, joy, and spirit. Please note: No children under 5 are permitted. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Beauty and the Beast’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St. Northport presents Beauty and the Beast now through Jan. 7. This timeless story of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self–but time is running out! If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. To order tickets, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

Dance

‘The Nutcracker’

Seiskaya Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns to Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. With guest artist Max Lippman (Cavalier) and Seiskaya Ballet Principal dancer Madeleine Martufi (Sugar Plum). Tickets are $45 adults, $38 children and seniors. 631-632-ARTS, www.nutcrackerballet.com

‘Friend or Foe?’

Fred Astaire Dance Studios Smithtown presents its annual Spotlight Showcase 2023 “Friend Or Foe?” at the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown on Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. Enjoy very different show dance numbers in which you’ll have to decide for yourself who’s a “friend or foe,” “black or white,” “yin and yang.” Just use your imagination to decide which side you are! Tickets are $50 per person, free for kids. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org

Vendors Wanted 

■ Town of Brookhaven seeks vendors for a Health Fair at Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville on Jan. 20, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. $50 vendor registration fee. For an application, visit BrookhavenNY/gov/Health or call 631-451-6331.

Class Reunion

•Save the date! Port Jefferson High School Class of 1964 will hold its 60th reunion at the Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 17, 2024. For more information, email Mike Whelen at [email protected].

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By Michael Christodoulou

Michael Christodoulou

It’s been a bumpy year for the financial markets — which means that some of your investments may have underperformed or lost value. Can you use these losses to your advantage?

It’s possible. If you have some investments that have lost value, you could sell them to offset taxable capital gains from other investments. If your losses exceed gains for the year, you could use the remaining losses to offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income. And any amount over $3,000 can be carried forward to offset gains in future years. 

This “tax-loss harvesting” can be advantageous if you plan to sell investments that you’ve held in taxable accounts for years and that have grown significantly in value. And you might receive some gains even if you take no action yourself. For example, when you own mutual funds, the fund manager can decide to sell stocks or other investments within the fund’s portfolio and then pay you a portion of the proceeds. These payments, known as capital gains distributions, are taxable to you whether you take them as cash or reinvest them back into the fund. 

Still, despite the possible tax benefits of selling investments whose price has fallen, you need to consider carefully whether such a move is in your best interest. If an investment has a clear place in your holdings, and it offers good business fundamentals and favorable prospects, you might not want to sell it just because its value has dropped. 

On the other hand, if the investments you’re thinking of selling are quite similar to others you own, it might make sense to sell, take the tax loss and then use the proceeds of the sale to purchase new investments that can help fill any gaps in your portfolio. 

If you do sell an investment and reinvest the funds, you’ll want to be sure your new investment is different in nature from the one you sold. Otherwise, you could risk triggering the “wash sale” rule, which states that if you sell an investment at a loss and buy the same or a “substantially identical” investment within 30 days before or after the sale, the loss is generally disallowed for income tax purposes.

Here’s one more point to keep in mind about tax-loss harvesting: You’ll need to take into account just how long you’ve held the investments you’re considering selling. That’s because long-term losses are first applied against long-term gains, while short-term losses are first applied against short-term gains. (Long-term is defined as more than a year; short-term is one year or less.) 

If you have excess losses in one category, you can then apply them to gains of either type. Long-term capital gains are taxed at 0%, 15% or 20%, depending on your income, while short-term gains are taxed at your ordinary income tax rate. So, from a tax perspective, taking short-term losses could provide greater benefits if your tax rate is higher than the highest capital gains rate.

You’ll want to contact your tax advisor to determine whether tax-loss harvesting is appropriate for your situation — and you’ll need to do it soon because the deadline is Dec. 31. But whether you pursue this technique this year or not, you may want to keep it in mind for the future — because you’ll always have investment tax issues to consider.  

Michael Christodoulou, ChFC®, AAMS®, CRPC®, CRPS® is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Stony Brook. Member SIPC.

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By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very common problem with a stigma. In fact, I have had several patients who resisted telling me they suffered from this malady. Because it can be a symptom of other diseases, it is crucial that you share this information with your doctor.

ED affects approximately 1 in 10 men on a chronic basis. If it occurs less than 20 percent of the time, it is normal; whereas if it occurs more than 50 percent of the time, there is a problem that requires therapy, according to the Cleveland Clinic (1). 

There are oral medications for ED. You’ve probably seen ads for them everywhere. Its prevalence has led pharmaceutical companies to saturate the airwaves, especially during sporting events. Approved medications include sildenafil (Viagra, or the “little blue pill”), tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), and avanafil (Stendra). These drugs work by affecting the endothelium, or inner layer, of blood vessels and causing vasodilation, or enlargement of blood vessels, which increases blood flow to the penis. Unfortunately, this does not solve the medical problem, but it does provide a short-term fix for those who are good candidates for treatment.

ED’s prevalence increases with age. In a multinational MALES study, ED affected 8 percent of those aged 20-30 and 37 percent of 70-75-year-olds (2). What was surprising was that advanced age had the least association with ED, increasing the odds by only five percent. So, what contributes to the rest of the increase as we age? Disease processes and drug therapies.

What is the relationship between medical conditions and ED?

Chronic diseases significantly contribute to ED. The opposite may also be true; ED may be a harbinger of disease. Typical contributors include metabolic syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and obesity. In the Look AHEAD trial, ED had a greater than two-fold association with hypertension and a three-fold association with metabolic syndrome (3). In another study, ED was associated with a 2.5-times increase in cardiovascular disease (4).

A randomized clinical trial (RCT) showed that patients with ED had significantly more calcification, or atherosclerosis, in the arteries when compared to a control group (5). They were more than three times as likely to have severe levels of calcification. They also had more inflammation, measured by C-reactive protein. 

How do medications contribute to ED?

About 25 percent of ED cases are thought to be associated with medications, such antidepressants; NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium; and hypertension medications. Unfortunately, the most common antidepressant medications, SSRIs, have the greatest impact on ED of all antidepressants. 

The California Men’s Health Study, with over 80,000 participants, showed that there was an association between NSAIDs and ED, with a 38 percent increase in ED in patients who use NSAIDs on a regular basis (6). The authors warn that patients should not stop taking NSAIDS without consulting their physicians.

Also, high blood pressure drugs have a reputation for causing ED. Beta blockers were thought to be the main culprit. A meta-analysis of 42 studies showed that beta blockers have a small effect, but thiazide diuretics (water pills) more than doubled ED, compared to placebo (7).

How does diet affect ED?

The Mediterranean-type diet has been shown to treat and prevent ED, improving one’s health and sex life at the same time. It’s the green leafy alternative to the little blue pill. The foods are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and high in monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, as well as in fiber. Components include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, walnuts, and olive oil. 

In two RCTs lasting two years, those who followed a Mediterranean-type diet saw improvements in their endothelial functioning (8, 9). They also had reduced inflammation and decreased insulin resistance.

In another study, men who had the greatest compliance with the Mediterranean-type diet were significantly less likely to have ED, compared to those with the lowest compliance (10). Even more impressive was that the group with the highest compliance had a 37 percent reduction in severe ED versus the low compliance group.

A study of participants in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study looked more closely at both the Mediterranean-type diet and an Alternative Healthy Eating Index 2010 diet, which emphasized consuming vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and fish or other sources of long-chain fats, as well as avoiding red and processed meats (11). At this point, it probably won’t surprise you to hear that the greater participants’ compliance with either of these diets, the less likely they were to experience ED.

Therefore, it is important to bring ED to the attention of your physician. 

There are very effective lifestyle alternatives to oral medication that provide positive overall health effects and treat associated chronic diseases, while also helping patients eliminate medications that contribute to ED.

References:

(1) clevelandclinic.org. (2) Curr Med Res Opin. 2004;20(5):607. (3) J Sex Med. 2009;6(5):1414-22. (4) Int J Androl. 2010;33(6):853-60. (5) J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005;46(8):1503. (6) Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Jul;97(28):e11367. (7) JAMA. 2002;288(3):351. (8) Int J Impot Res. 2006;18(4):405-10. (9) JAMA. 2004;292(12):1440-6. (10) J Sex Med. 2010 May;7(5):1911-7. (11) JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Nov 2;3(11):e2021701.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

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Zhe Qian

By Daniel Dunaief

Addition and subtraction aren’t just important during elementary school math class or to help prepare tax returns.

As it turns out, they are also important in the molecular biological world of healthy or diseased cells.

Some diseases add or subtract methyl groups, with a chemical formula of CH3, or phosphate groups, which has a phosphorous molecule attached to four oxygen molecules.

Nicholas Tonks. Photo courtesy of CSHL

Adding or taking away these groups can contribute to the progression of a disease that can mean the difference between sitting comfortably and watching a child’s performance of The Wizard of Oz or sitting in a hospital oncology unit, waiting for treatment for cancer.

Given the importance of these units, which can affect the function of cells, researchers have spent considerable time studying enzymes such as kinases, which add phosphates to proteins.

Protein tyrosine phosphatases, which Professor Nicholas Tonks at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory purified when he was a postdoctoral researcher, removes these phosphate groups.

Recent PhD graduate Zhe Qian, who conducted research for six years in Tonks’s lab while a student at Stony Brook University, published a paper in the journal Genes & Development demonstrating how an antibody that interferes with a specific type of protein tyrosine phosphatase called PTPRD alters the way breast cancer spreads in cell cultures.

“The PTPs are important regulators of the process of signal transduction — the mechanisms by which cells respond to changes in their environment,” explained Tonks. “Disruption of these signal transduction mechanisms frequently underlies human disease.”

To be sure, Tonks cautioned that the study, which provides a proof of concept for the use of antibodies to manipulate signaling output in a cancer cell, is a long way from providing another tool to combat the development or spread of breast cancer.

The research, which formed the basis for Qian’s PhD project, offers an encouraging start on which to add more information.

Blocking the receptor

Qian, who goes by the name “Changer,” suggested that developing a compound or small molecule to inhibit or target the receptor for this enzyme was difficult, which is “why we chose to use an antibody-based method,” he said.

By tying up a receptor on the outside of the cell membrane, the antibody also doesn’t need to enter the cell to reach its target.

The Antibody Shared Resource, led by Research Associate Professor Johannes Yeh, created antibodies to this particular receptor. Yeh created an antibody is shaped like a Y, with two arms with specific attachments for the PTPD receptor.

Once the antibody attaches, it grabs two of these receptors at the same time, causing a dimerization of the protein. Binding to these proteins causes them to lose their functionality and, ultimately, destroys them.

Cell cultures of breast cancer treated with this antibody became less invasive.

Limited presence

One of the potential complications of finding a new target for any treatment is the side effects from such an approach.

If, for example, these receptors also had normal metabolic functions in a healthy cell, inhibiting or killing those receptors could create problematic side effect.

In this case, however,  the targeted receptor is expressed in the spine and the brain. Antibodies normally don’t cross the blood-brain barrier.

Qian and Tonks don’t know if the antibody would affect the normal function of the brain. Further research would help address this and other questions.

Additionally, as with any possible treatment, future research would also need to address whether cancer cells developed resistance to such an approach.

In the time frame Qian explored, the cells in culture didn’t become resistant.

If the potential therapeutic use of this antibody becomes viable, future researchers and clinicians might combine several treatments to develop ways to contain breast cancer.

Eureka moment

In his research, Qian studied the effect of these antibodies on fixed cell, which are dead but still have the biochemical features of a living cell He also studied living cells.

When the antibody attaches to the receptor, it becomes visible through a staining process. Most antibody candidates stain living cells. Only the successful one showed loss-of-signal in living staining.

The antibody Qian used not only limited the ability of the receptor to send a signal, but also killed the receptor. The important moment in his research occurred when he discovered the antibody suppressed cancer cell invasion in cell culture.

Outside of the lab, Qian enjoys swimming, which he does between four and five times per week. Indeed, he combined his athletic and professional pursuits when he recently raised funds for Swim Across America.

“I not only want to do research, but I also want to call more attention to cancer research in the public,” said Qian.

The Swim Across America slogan suggests that each stroke is for someone who “couldn’t be with us” because of cancer. In the lab, Qian thinks each time he pipettes liquids during one of his many experiments it is for someone who couldn’t make it as well.

Qian, who currently lives in Hicksville, grew up in Suchow City, which is a village west of Shanghai and where Cold Spring Harbor Asia is located. 

Qian has been living on Long Island since he arrived in the United States. Qian graduated from Stony Brook University in October and is currently looking for a job in industry.

Looking back, Qian is pleased with the work he’s done and the contribution he’s made to breast cancer research. He believes the antibody approach offers a viable alternative or complement to searching for small molecules that could target or inhibit proteins or enzymes important in the development of cancer.

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METRO photo

By Nancy Burner, Esq.

Nancy Burner, Esq.

For the charitably inclined, there is always a question of how to be most efficiently leave money to charities in your estate plan. Charitable giving ranges from simple small monetary amounts to more complicated charitable trusts. No matter the option, there are potential income tax and estate tax implications to consider.

Leaving a specific bequest in your ill or Trust is one common type of charitable gift. You leave a set amount to a charity of your choosing at the time of your death. For those that want to cap the amount that given to charity, this is a good option. These specific bequests are paid out first, off the top of the estate. Thus, if you only have $100,000 in your estate and leave specific bequests totaling $100,000, there will not be any assets left to the residuary beneficiaries. Usually, the residuary portion of an estate is the largest. But not always and especially not if you do not correctly allocate your assets.

Residuary beneficiaries are those that receive a percentage or fractional distribution of the “rest, residue, and remainder” of your estate. Take the example above, if your total estate assets equal $300,000, then after the $100,000 charitable bequests, your residuary beneficiaries receive the remaining $200,000. A charity can also be one of your residuary beneficiaries, in which case the charity would receive a fractional share of your choosing. 

In certain circumstances, it is beneficial to include a “disclaimer to charity.” You would add a provision in your Will or Trust directing that any “disclaimed” amount of your estate goes to charity. This is done for estate tax planning purposes. If your estate is more than 105% over the New York State estate tax exemption amount ($6.11 million in 2022), you then “fall off the cliff.” This means that your estate will receive no exemption and the entire estate taxed from dollar one. However, if your Will or Trust has a disclaimer provision, any amount that a beneficiary rejects goes to the charities that you listed.  That gift to charity serves to reduce your taxable estate, moving it back under “the cliff” and saving a great deal in taxes. This is an especially useful tactic for those with estates that are on the cusp of the exemption amount.

Another method of charitable giving is gifting tax-deferred retirement assets. While you are still living, you can gift from your retirement account up to $100,000 per year as a qualified charitable distribution. Making the gift directly to the charity removes the required minimum distribution from your taxable income. There are some pitfalls to avoid.  Not all plans qualify for this type of distribution, not all charities are considered “qualified,” you cannot receive a benefit in exchange for the distribution (ex. a ticket to a charity concert), and you must gift the funds directly from the retirement account to the charity.

In addition to charitable gifting from a retirement account during your lifetime, you can list charities as  after-death beneficiaries of your accounts. If you have a mixture of individuals and charities as beneficiaries, you may want to leave the retirement assets to the charities. This saves your individual beneficiaries from paying income tax on distributions. Especially in light of the SECURE Act, which requires that most beneficiaries of retirement account withdraw all the funds within ten years. The income tax consequences for such beneficiaries may be steep if there is a large retirement account. 

While there are several charitable giving options, each person will need to navigate a solution that suits them best. An experienced estate planning attorney will take into account the size of the estate, potential tax liabilities, how much you want to leave to charity, and your other beneficiaries. With proper planning, you can ensure your gifts go as far as possible to benefit the charities that you hold dear.

Nancy Burner, Esq. is a Partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. focusing her practice areas on Estate Planning and Trusts and Estates. Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. serves clients from New York City to the east end of Long Island with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, Manhattan and East Hampton.

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Jefferson's Ferry

Jefferson’s Ferry, a Life Plan community located in South Setauket, was recently named among the top nursing homes in New York State by U.S. News and World report. Jefferson’s Ferry received a 5 out of 5 rating overall, also achieving the top (3 out of 3) high performance rating in multiple categories including short term rehabilitation and long term care.

The rigorous U.S. News & World Report standards for Best Nursing Homes in New York is determined by state-conducted health inspections, nursing staffing and medical quality measures. They evaluate more than 15,000 nursing homes on care, safety, infection rates, staffing and health inspections. Of the more than 600 nursing homes in New York, Jefferson’s Ferry stood out as one of the best in the state and one of only 10 recognized for excellence on Long Island.

“Being named among the Best Nursing Homes in New York is a great honor and a testament to the outstanding care our exceptional staff provides each day to every resident,” said Bob Caulfield, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jefferson’s Ferry. “We take great pride in cultivating and recognizing the exceptional talent and compassion demonstrated by our staff, which has a direct impact on the superior care we provide to our residents. This is what is at the heart of Jefferson’s Ferry.”

Anthony Comerford, Vice President of Health Services at Jefferson’s Ferry concurred and added, “This prestigious acknowledgement not only showcases Jefferson’s Ferry commitment to providing outstanding care and service to its residents, it is especially gratifying to our staff and management to have their commitment and professionalism documented by such a well recognized outside authority.” For more information visit www.jeffersonsferry.org

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#21 Andre Snoddy takes a shot during last Saturday's game. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

The Stony Brook University men’s basketball team fell to Wagner, 60-59, on Dec. 2 at Island Federal Arena. Despite leading for more than 30 minutes, the Seawolves faltered in the second half and were ultimately overcome by the Seahawks.

Stony Brook led from the get-go, opening up an early 12-point lead, limiting Wagner to just three points over the opening five-plus minutes of action. The Seawolves’ lead grew to as large as 16 during the first half, with Stony Brook shooting better than 40 percent in the period and holding Wagner to a 9-for-36 mark from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. Stony Brook carried a 13-point lead into the break, but Wagner showed no quit.

The Seahawks would outscore the Seawolves 39-25 in the second half, stealing a win away from Stony Brook on its home court. Wagner whittled its deficit to single digits in the opening minute of play in the second half, eventually using a 13-2 run to tie the contest at 45-45 with just over 10 minutes remaining in regulation. A triple from Melvin Council, Jr. gave Wagner its first lead of the contest with 8:55 to play.

The Seahawks imposed their will and clung onto a lead for the next five-plus minutes before a Jared Frey jumper put Stony Brook back in front with two minutes remaining.

 The deciding points came at the free throw line for Wagner with just over a minute to play, the final points of the contest. Frey had a good look, but misfired in the final 10 seconds and Wagner would hold on.

The team continued its four-game homestand, welcoming Stonehill on December 6 as part of another doubleheader with the Stony Brook women’s basketball team. Results were not available as of press time.

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