Adventure Crew saluted Board Member Emeritus and Paddlefest Founder Brewster Rhoads for his years of service to its mission with a roast at MadTree Brewing on May 7. Brewster was Adventure Crew’s founding Board Chair in 2015 and ushered in the nonprofit’s adoption of Ohio River Paddlefest in 2016. Since those early years, Brewster has remained a constant advocate, thoughtful strategist and enthusiastic fundraiser for the Crew’s programs. “The Rhoast” was Adventure Crew’s way of saying thank you, timed to coincide with Paddlefest’s 25th anniversary this summer on Saturday, August 1.
In front of a sold out room of 350 friends and family, Brewster enjoyed jokes and stories from Ted Strickland, Rob Portman, Eric & Jan-Michele Kearney, Tim Burke, Roxanne Qualls, and Bob & Hope Taft. Caroline & Elizabeth Rhoads, Brewster’s two daughters, even traveled from Europe to get in on the fun! Brewster and guests were also delighted by video messages from Dick Celeste and Jane Fonda.
The event launched the Rivers & Rhoads Fund to carry forward Brewster’s impact at Adventure Crew. Brewster motivated donations at “The Rhoast” by shaving his iconic mustache, which he’s had since 1969! The stunt worked: To date, the fund has raised more than $100,000 to fuel pathways to the outdoors for city teens, helping inspire the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and environmental changemakers – our “Future Brewsters.” Learn more about the fund or send Brewster a message at adventurecrew.org/rhoast.
