v5-12--Healing Through Horses
Mark and Amy Steppe (RHS 1998)
The Ridgewood Maroon Vol. 5… No. 12
Thursday, June 12, 2025
“Bringing us all to a place we don't want to lose."
Observer: Healing Through Horses
Macky’s New York: Spaghetti Puttanesca
William Peay: Tales From The Wood…
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame: Portrait Gallery
Mark Porro: A Cup Of Tea On The Commode
M + A NYC: Mighty Are We As One
James Stroker: Hope Coach
Jim Schoneman: Rock Hound
Howard Liverance: On The Up & Up In Ridgewood
Kathy & Ross Petras: You’re Saying It Wrong
Kelly Sue Martin: Making An Impact
Willie Geist: 21st Century American Journalist
Observer
Healing Through Horses
Many thanks to Coach Years for bringing this story to my attention:
The Unbridled Heroes Project is at a critical crossroads. As a unique non-profit dedicated to healing both rescued wild mustangs and U.S. military veterans, the organization is now facing a serious financial emergency. Your support is needed today to ensure that the horses stay fed, safe, and free—and that veterans continue to have a place to recover, reconnect, and rebuild.
The Mission: Rescuing Spirits, Both Human and Equine
Founded by veterans Mark and Amy Steppe RHS 1998, the Unbridled Heroes Project is more than a sanctuary—it’s a healing center where rescued mustangs and veterans with PTSD and physical injuries help each other recover. Their three-part mission includes:
Rescuing and rehabilitating abused and neglected mustangs, especially those trapped in the slaughter pipeline.
Empowering veterans through therapeutic, hands-on experience with the horses, offering yoga, art, woodworking, and liberty training.
Advocating for wild horse protection, raising awareness about inhumane government roundups and the harsh fate that often follows.
Healing Through Horses: A Family’s Story
Amy and Mark Steppe, both military veterans, experienced deep personal trauma—including combat wounds, PTSD, and near-collapse of their family unit—before discovering a life-changing bond with wild mustangs. After meeting Phoenix, a mare rescued from a kill pen, the Steppes found purpose in daily care, fence-fixing, and horse training.
“What we thought was helping these horses… they were really healing us,” Amy shared.
That spark became the Unbridled Heroes Project—an oasis of hope for other veterans just like them.
Unbridled relies on full-time care, and rising costs for hay, vet bills, and shelter now threaten the future of the horses—and the veterans who depend on them. Every donation helps keep the project running, the horses healthy, and the veterans connected to their healing path.
100% of your donation goes directly to feed, shelter, and medical care for these incredible animals.
Donate now to keep the mission alive!
Why Mustangs Matter
“These majestic animals helped build this nation. They deserve more than slaughterhouses,” Amy said.
Unbridled Heroes isn’t just about horses or veterans—it’s about restoring the unbridled American spirit. With your help, we can keep this sanctuary open and continue offering a second chance to those who have given everything for their country.
Macky’s New York
Matthew Cortellesi Photography
June 10, 2025 - Nolita
Spaghetti Puttanesca
As the morning rain begins to let up...I look up at a cluster of sneakers on a wet wire and the first thing that came into my head was "spaghetti puttanesca" and so I not only have I found my title for the photo...but I also realized I suffer from a condition called "spaghetti on the brain" which I hope in this case...there is no cure.
Shot on Baxter just south of Broome looking south with clouds.
Time 645am
William Peay
Tales From The Wood…
Night vision works... my old train set is probably 9 or 10 feet wide.
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame
Mark Porro
Arrived in bookstores everywhere on Mother’s Day, May 14, 2023.
M + A NYC
M + A is a Lifestyle brand known for handcrafted, ethically made, modern home decor and wearable accessories. Artisanal | Small Batch | Designed in NY
I used Mark Bittman's Mushroom Soup Recipe to create the one photographed above. What I love about his style is that he leaves things a little loose. He recommends that a mixture of different types of mushrooms (both dried and fresh) produce the best outcomes, but doesn't go as far as saying which types to use. I used dried morels and porcinis, along with fresh shitakes and baby bellas. I also opted to make this dairy-free and used potatoes in order to be able to puree the soup and create a rich texture. This turned out great!
James Stroker
The Starfish
Jim Schoneman
Rock Hound
Caught and released about 15 of these on a fly rod today. This was the biggest at 19 inches. Most of the others were between 17 and 19. Best day of fly fishing ever. My arms are pretty tired.
Howard Liverance
Kathy & Ross Petras
Ross & Kathy’s podcast: You're Saying It Wrong looks at what we get wrong—and what we sometimes get right—when it comes to this English language.
New from Kathryn Petras
Kindle Edition: $999
Other formats: Paperback
"Believe You Can and You're Halfway...
by Kathryn Petras & 1 more
A compilation of musings to motivate and inspire readers in need of a quick pick-me-up. We all want to be the person who marches into a meeting brimming with self-confidence, unbothered by what others think of them right before making a killer speech. But all too often, crippling self-doubt creeps in. This book is a self-esteem boosting collection of pocket-sized pep talks...
Kelly Sue Martin
Making An Impact
Good evening Ridgewood High School class of 1996 family. I was involved in a 5K walk for charity at Strive Last Wednesday. I love all you because all of you have been with me every step of the way in my whole entire life. I’m looking forward to the Ridgewood High School class of 1996 reunion next year. Love, Kelley Sue Martin.
Willie Geist
21st Century American Journalist
Born William Russell Geist, an American television personality and journalist. He is co-anchor of MSNBC's Morning Joe and anchor of Sunday Today with Willie Geist. Geist also frequently serves as a fill-in anchor on both the 7-9 a.m. and 10 a.m. hours of Today. Geist is a correspondent for NBC News and NBC Sports, hosting and contributing to NBC's Olympic coverage. Geist has hosted the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting on NBC.
Geist is the author or co-author of two books that have appeared on The New York Times bestseller list: Good Talk, Dad—written in 2014 with his father Bill Geist—and American Freak Show: The Completely Fabricated Stories of Our New National Treasures, released in 2010. His third book, the self-help satire Loaded! Become a Millionaire Overnight and Lose 20 Pounds in 2 Weeks or Your Money Back!, was released in 2011.
Geist was born May 3, 1975 in Evanston, Illinois, the son of newspaper columnist and broadcast journalist Bill Geist and social worker Jody (née Lewis). He is of German, French, English, Irish, and Norwegian descent. Geist is the older brother of Libby Geist Wildes, the Academy Award-winning documentary film producer of O.J.: Made in America and The Last Dance. He is the great-grandson of former Detroit Red Wings star and Hockey Hall of Fame player Herbie Lewis.
Geist attended George Washington Middle School in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where he met his future wife, Christina Sharkey. They began dating at Ridgewood High School, where he was captain of both the basketball and football teams, winning the 1991 state football title. He was elected to New Jersey Boys State and the National Honor Society. Geist graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and French. He was an editor of the school's newspaper, The Vanderbilt Hustler.
On May 24, 2003, Geist married his high school sweetheart Christina Sharkey, in Humacao, Puerto Rico. The couple has two children.