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.)
A murder that has haunted Westport for over 30 years may finally be solved.
At 11 p.m. on May 24, 1989, officers and firefighters responding to a fire behind the Coffee An’ strip mall found a burned woman’s body.
Shortly after, her husband reported 38-year-old Joan Wertkin missing.
Joan Wertkin
Tomorrow (Tuesday, June 6, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.), News 12 airs a new episode of “Crime Files.” The still-open case has recently generated new tips and leads.
News 12 spoke with family members, and the Westport Police Department. “Crime Files”‘ investigative team has discovered never-released details.
Mark Holofcener — Wertkin’s only sibling — is grateful for tomorrow’s show.
“I want anything that will bring justice,” he tells “06880.”
“I don’t know what it takes to put someone in jail, but I’m pleased attention is still being paid to it. There are a lot of parts to this puzzle. My hope is that all the pieces will come together, and we can see the complete picture.”
He too has spoken with News 12.
In addition to airing tomorrow on Optimum Channel 12 at 7 and 9 p.m., the “Crime Files” show will be streamed on Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV and Pluto TV.
===============================================
Three dozen Staples High School scholar-athletes were honored last night, at a unique dinner.
The coach of each varsity sport (there are 36) nominates one candidate, for his or her combined academic and athletic achievements. Each is given one question to answer on the spot, involving their interests, activities and passions.
Questions last night ranged from astrophysics (“what’s the biggest problem in the universe you’d like to solve?”) to interning in the selectwoman’s office (“what did you learn about government that surprised you?” to rugby (“it’s been called a game for hooligans, played by gentlemen — which are you?”).
But the highlight of the night came from boys ski team member Jet Tober. A freestyle rapper who took Advanced Placement Mandarin, he was asked to rap — in Mandarin. He brought down the house.
Congratulations to all the scholar-athletes: Fall sports: Emma Porzio (fall cheerleading), Matthew Fleming (boys cross country), Eva Simonte (girls cross country), Francine Stevens (field hockey), James Hillhouse (football), Finn Wolter (boys golf), Alex Laskin (boys soccer), Samantha Dewitt (girls soccer), Kate Whitaker (girls swimming), Kate Valante (girls volleyball), Benjamin Madoff (boys water polo).
Winter sports: Gavin Rothenberg (boys basketball), girls basketball (Scarlett Siegel), Jenny Bradshaw (cheerleading), Ava DeDomenico (gymnastics), Connor Moynihan (boys ice hockey), Chloe Hackett (girls ice hockey), Jonas Varnas (boys indoor track), Gabriella Gerig (girls indoor track), Jet Tober (boys skiing), Emma Nahon (girls skiing), Ryan Salik (boys squash), Rebecca Schussheim (girls squash), Joshua Tanksley (boys swimming), Jackson Oliver (wrestling).
Spring sports; Ethan Cukier (baseball), Keeva Boyle (girls golf), Michael Nealon (boys lacrosse), Cameron Retcho (girls lacrosse), Sam Pirkl (boys rugby), Parker Pretty (girls rugby), Grace Alfaro (softball), Alex Guadarrama (boys tennis), Lucia Wang (girls tennis), William Fitch (boys outdoor track), Isabelle Bland (girls outdoor track), Witt Lindau (sailing), Kareem Abouzeid (boys volleyball), Clara Smith (girls water polo).
After the dinner, scholar-athletes posed with their parents and coaches. Boys basketball honoree Gavin Rothenberg is shown with his coach Dave Goldshore (far left) and parents.
“Fair share” — a proposal by which the state would assess the need for affordable housing, then mandate that certain towns above a certain poverty level provide such housing — was removed from a bill early Saturday morning.
The legislation that was then passed, by a narrow margin, by the House of Representatives includes a study of affordable housing needs in Connecticut. But it will be used for “informational purposes” and is “aspirational goal-setting,” according to one legislator.
The bill now goes to the state Senate. Click here for a full report, from CT Mirror.
“Davide, founded by Joseph Davide in 2020, pays homage to Italy, his origin and culture for inspiration while weaving it with the thread of the laid back attitude of modern luxury.
“Each collection being presented as ready to wear collections. Davide’s aesthetic tells the story of the classic man evolving from adolescence to adulthood.
“With no background education in fashion design, Joseph steers Davide with the vision of modernity and sophistication evoking a style of quality downtime through its relaxed silhouettes in his crafts.”
This may be Davide’s first retail outlet. No others are listed on the website.
Among the non-art attractions at Westport’s recent Fine Arts Festival: a fun fundraising contest by Staples Tuition Grants.
Entrants guessed the number of jellybeans in a jar. The actual number was 51,196. Eoghan Scully guessed 51,215 — only 19 off.
The very close 2nd and 3rd place guesses came from Crystal Benaroya and Annie Bowens. All receive gift certificates to their favorite Westport restaurants.
The contest helped STG award a record $405,000 in grants this year, to 119 students.
51,196 jellybeans!
==============================================
Elisabeth Levey captured (by camera) these critters, coming out to play.
Or perhaps they were just posing for our daily “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Tuesday night’s Staples High School boys basketball game was filled with drama.
The Wreckers won a 68-67 overtime nail-biter over New Canaan.
But that wasn’t the half of it.
Halftime included a chance for a young player named Trey got a chance to hit a 3-point shot. The prize: a free session at the new Academy basketball camp.
News 12 Connecticut is working on a story about the 1989 Joan Wertkin cold case murder.
They want to speak with anyone who knew Joan, the family, or has information on the case. Even a small piece of information might help produce a clearer understanding of the events leading up to the killing.
In preparation for their June trip to Hawaii, Staples’ Orphenians are hosting an “Aloha Cabaret.” The January 22 event (6:30 p.m., Westport Library) features Tony Award winner (and Westporter) Kelli O’Hara; the Orphenians (of course),, and as emcee, the incomparable David Pogue.
There are also Hawaiian-themed light bites, and an exciting silent auction. Fundraising will ensure that all 42 members can make the trip.
Orphenians — the elite singing group — have traveled across the US, and internationally, since shortly after their founding in 1958. This will be the third trip for conductor Luke Rosenberg.
Georgia Wrighth traveled with Orphenians to Australia in July 2018.
“It was one of the best experiences, with some of my best friends,” she recalls. “Some others I didn’t know too well. But we became so close on that trip.
“We were making music, and meeting people from all over the world who shared our passion. We sang for 8 hours a day, and learned so much working with a master composer.”
Georgia went on to earn a BFA in musical theater from the Boston Conservatory.
Three years earlier, Jack Baylis joined Orphenians on a trip to San Francisco. They worked with the famed Chanticleer choral group,
“It was one of my first exposures to high-level professionals,” Jack recalls. “They were so intense, but they showed us attainable goals.”
Jack appreciates the opportunities Orphenians had — and have now, again — to experience such a trip.
“Whether you pursue the arts as a career or not, this is a chance to impact your life,” Jack says. “In hindsight, I realize how important that is.”
Jack will perform with Kelli O’Hara at the Aloha Cabaret.
Tickets are $150 per person for general admission and $225 per person for VIP. For tickets and more information, click here.
Last night, MoCA Westport’s opening reception introduced their winter exhibition. “Paul Camacho: Rhythm and Unity” features selected works primarily drawn from the Westport Public Art Collections. The exhibition is on view through February 26.
Simultaneously, the annual high school exhibition — Who Are You When You Are Dreaming — includes nearly 200 student works from across the region.
Docented gallery tours are available on Thursdays at 1 p.m. An associated Cocktails and Conversation series will be held on Thursday evenings, including a talk about Camacho, a curator talk, and a panel featuring local designers and entrepreneurs on fashion, art and design.
Hartford Healthcare recently opened a new Post Road location, opposite the Exxon station at Maple Avenue North.
I hope it’s a good addition to Westport.
I also hope it’s a lot more efficient than their eldercare division.
For over a month I’ve received several dozen calls, texts and voicemails from them, all asking me to set up a consultation for “Chante.”
I have explained to several phone center operators that they have the wrong number. I am not Chante’s caregiver. I don’t know Chante. I ask for my number to be removed from the list.
Each caller promises to do it, immediately. But the calls keep coming.
They’re from a variety of area codes. I don’t want to block them, because — like so many people nowadays — one of my real doctors is, or may at some point be, part of Hartford Healthcare.
Meanwhile, my opinion of the health network keeps plummeting.
PS: If you know Chante, please have her call Hartford HealthCare ASAP. They’re looking for her.
In 1999, Westport photographer Larry Silver took a series of images of her. The founder of the Jackie Robinson Foundation — a non-profit providing educational and leadership opportunities for minority students, named after her late husband — was featured in an American Express ad, as a woman of color who made great contributions to society.
I don’t usually link to Channel 12 news reports. They’re great. But “06880” and News12 are usually on different wavelengths.
Tuesday’s feature on Jazz at the Post was outstanding.
In just 3 minutes they covered every aspect of the weekly series at VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399: the venue, the music, interviews with key people — especially the famed piano that was once the pride of the Village Gate club in New York.
The series continues tonight (Thursday, July 21, 7 and 8:30 p.m.; dinner service at 6:30 p.m.; $10 cover). Meanwhile, click here for the news clip.
David Dear has a trail cam at the edge of his Westport yard.
At 6:30 a.m. recently, it captured this bobcat with kittens. Showing the wildlife around us — much of which we seldom see — it’s a perfect image for our “Westport … Naturally” feature.
Cablevision has a funny way of “more effectively and consistently” delivering “high-quality hyper-local news” to Fairfield County viewers.
They’ve gotten rid of the guy who did it for more than 3 decades, and replaced him with someone 2 states away.
The familiar face of Tom Appleby.
Tom Appleby — the steady pro who guided area residents through hurricanes and blizzards; reported on murders, budget battles, zoning issues and lost pets, and since 1984 has been the face of News12 for countless local residents — is the most prominent victim of Cablevision’s new owner’s cost-cutting measures.
In addition to shutting a call center in Shelton and back-office operation in Stratford — affecting 600 jobs — new owner Altice has moved nearly all News12 production work from Norwalk to Edison, New Jersey. Only a skeleton staff of reporters and videographers remains on Norwalk’s Cross Street.
Appleby was more than a familiar news anchor. He served as Cablevision’s vice president, general manager and news director. He helped win many awards, including numerous Emmys.
Appleby is a true pro. A Dartmouth grad — with a master’s and Ph.D. in English language and literature from the University of Michigan — he also hosted a weekend public affairs show, “Focus on Connecticut.”
News12 has served as a valuable proving ground for countless reporters and anchors, just starting their careers. Many have moved on to bigger stations, far beyond Fairfield County.
But through 6 presidents since the Reagan Administration — or, more locally, throughout the terms of 1st selectmen Bill Seiden, Martha Hauhuth, Doug Wood, Joe Arcudi, Diane Farrell, Gordon Joseloff and Jim Marpe — Tom Appleby has been there for us.
He never left for a larger market. He reported stories, delivered news, mentored talent, and — most importantly — cared deeply about all of Fairfield County, and everyone in it.
Now Cablevision has left him.
And left the rest of us with an empty slogan: “As local as local news gets.”
Delivered from right around the corner, in Edison, New Jersey.
“06880” is not in the habit of posting “lost dog” stories. (Main reason: Not enough dogs read this blog.)
However, Andy’s tale rises above the usual ho-hum threshold. It is, as we in the news biz say, a “dog bites man” story.
Andy
Andy — a corgi — was lost around 10 p.m. New Year’s Eve on Guard Hill Road, off Clinton Avenue. Owner Michael Ghiggeri believes he was scared off by the fireworks.
Rather than post “lost dog” flyers on telephone poles, Michael posted on Facebook. Someone shared that on a “Greenwich Mountain Lion” page — who knew? — which drew the attention of News 12 Connecticut. Because it was a slow news day there (as it is here), they did a piece on Andy.
That prompted even more Facebook posts. Strangers poured out of the woods to help. One woman drove an hour, to search on foot. Another drove over with her pajama-clad children sleeping in the back seat.
Donations have poured in, from as far as Florida. One friend even offered $1,000 in reward money.
Michael credits the response to simple reasons: “Pet lovers can relate. Especially corgi lovers — one woman had a corgi with the same markings.”
In addition, people who “personally know Andy” are moved. “He has a unique disposition,” Michael says. “He loves everyone. Instead of barking, he literally ‘woofs.’ He’s just the smartest, easiest, best dog.”
Michael’s wife is a professional horse trainer. At shows up and down the East Coast, he became well known. Horse farms are contributing reward money too.
“Facebook is still growing,” Michael reports. He and his group have passed info along to mailmen, UPS guys, utility workers and dog walkers. They’ve also contacted the Humane Society, animal control and media outlets.
Andy is not wearing a collar. But an embedded microchip provides information on his identity.
“Andy is 11,” Michael notes. “He can hear, but we think it is going. Also, he has cataracts.”
So he definitely will not be reading this post.
But you are. If you see Andy, call 908-399-9428 or email mjghiggeri@yahoo.com.
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
