If you’re looking for an inspiring story to end 2023 — or a great way to ring in ’24 — it’s right here.
Yesterday, News12 aired a warm, insightful and important story about Wynston Browne.
As first reported on “06880” in 2022, the 16-year-old Staples High School junior has non-speaking autism.
But boy, can he talk.
With the help of a spelling device and communication specialist, he has spent the past year and a half letting the world know that he has a brilliant mind, a kind and loving spirit, and the same dreams as any kid.
He wants to be challenged in school — not presumed to be stupid or incompetent, because he can’t speak out loud.
He wants to have friends. He wants to sit in the cafeteria and laugh with them, not be laughed at.
News12’s Mark Sudol story brings Wynston’s story to a broad audience.
“I like to be called Winnie, because winners never give up,” he says.
Click here to see Winnie’s News12 story. It may be the best 5 minutes you spend in 2023.
Or ’24.
(To read more “06880” stories on Winnie Browne, click here.)

Wynston Browne
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2024 is not yet here, but you’ve probably already been wished “Happy New Year!” by many people.
But let “06880” be the first blog to do so.
And Weston’s Jolantha is definitely the first pig.

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Speaking of the holiday: If it’s New Year’s, it must be SyFy’s annual “Twilight Zone” marathon.
The annual event — an homage to the show and its creator, former Westporter Rod Serling — began yesterday. It runs through 3 a.m. on Tuesday.
Click here for the full schedule. (In case you’re wondering: “A Stop at Willoughby” — the classic Westport-themed episode — aired yesterday.)

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The sun finally broke through Friday.
Toni Simonetti was at the Library Riverwalk behind the Levitt Pavilion, to capture the moment, for “Westport … Naturally.”
So were her husband and dog.

(Photo/Toni Simonetti)
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And finally … one pretty old, and one only relatively old, songs to ring out the “old” year:
(Happy New Year! We promise, this is the last request to support “06880” you’ll get in 2023. Thank you!)

In fact, every Westport commuter dreams of Willoughby. Fortunately not all of us step off the train there…
Happy New Year!
Wonderful Wynston (Winnie) story. The video is less than 5 minutes but filled with a lifetime of inspiration.
Laurie and I watched and rewatched Winnie’s story several times. What a remarkable and truly well spoken young man. What an incredible attitude and perspective. Anyone would be lucky to be his friend and sit with him in the lunch room