Thank you, Stuart! Of all the people who have shared our story, no one has ever shared it as sensitively as you have. You will be missed, but never forgotten.
Thank you Roger for sharing your story. I well remember seeing your picture on the cover of Life magazine when I was 9 years old, I have never forgotten it.
Hi Roger, I was 9 years old and living in Buffalo when you went over the Falls. I remember hearing the story at the time, but being 9, I didn’t read the newspaper or watch TV news, so I probably never heard all of the details of your misadventure on that fateful July day in 1960. I saw a posting on Facebook about the Vinyl Cafe and Stuart McLean’s story about your misadventure a week ago, and when I listened to Mr. McLean tell the story I was riveted to seat…Mr. McLean did a fantastic job of telling your story…All in good old plain English…No over kill, just a truly great story. My family had a sailboat that we kept in Youngstown NY, so I was well aware of the Falls, and the current in the river, but there was no danger of sailing there…But we had family friends that lived on the Canadian side of the River about 3-4 miles above the Falls, and we used to go out in row boats and motor boats at their house, and I was always aware of the current in the River, and the fact that we were very close to the Falls…It made me a bit uncomfortable to be in a boat above the Falls, and so close to them. I am glad you survived that experience, and want to thank you for sharing your almost unbelievable story with Mr. McLean, and also thank him for doing an awesome job of sharing your story with the Vinyl Cafe. 😎😎😎
I still love listening to Stuart McLean!! A most wonderful story teller!! You are living on in our hearts, Stuart!! May you rest in peace!! Wynona Cochrane Gan. Ont. Canada..
My Wife and I had listened to Stuart for 30 years. This one was my favourite. Sadly missed. To all of the crew and crews that helped make The Vinyl Cafe such a wonderful Way to break into every Sunday after the 12 o clock News on CBC Radio for the better part of my life. Thank You Very Sadly missed
At a very young age, I grew up listening to Paul Harvey and EG Marshall's Mystery Stories. Through my search for them I accidentally came across Stuart McLean on Vinyl Cafe. "Who is this man, Stuart McLean?" I think the first story I heard was a classic "Dave cooks the turkey." I was hooked, oh my gosh! I found out there was a radio broadcast available and became an avid listener and fan. He had a way of drawing a person into the story, MAGICALLY!! I would've loved to had the opportunity to attend a live performance. 🌹RIP Stuart McLean🌻
I wish the 'rest of the story' was aired here. Stuart told the story and then, after the applause you hear, he went on and said "I have Roger Woodward on the line. He's been listening to me tell the story." words to that effect. Roger replied, with emotion in his voice, "I've told that story many, many times over the years. This is the first time I heard it." That is the powerful ending that is missing, sadly.
Until today I had never heard of Stuart McLean; that's a shame, too. After mentioning my appreciation of Garrison Keillor's story-telling, I was asked by Kelly Swanson, another gifted story-teller, if I'd ever heard of Stuart McLean. No. She said I should check him out. Glad she told me and glad to now know of this wonderful Canadian story-teller. At the time Roger Woodward went over the falls I was three years old. I've never been to, or over, Niagara Falls, but if I do see it, from a safe distance, I will remember Roger Woodward and this story told by Stuart McLean.
I'm 40 years old from Cleveland Ohio..i listened to Stuart tell this story and was hooked by his passion,the commanding sound of his voice and how he makes you feel like you're right there...Sorry to hear he passed..Thank God with great people like Stuart they live on through these stories and thank God we can access them on YT...RIP Stuart.....
Amazing, inspiring story. I grew up and live 20 minutes south (by car) of Niagara Falls and spent and continue to spend a lot of time there. The more stories learn like this the more I ponder when I gaze out at the Falls; it's a particular feeling, varies depending on what story I'm thinking about. Some sad that ended tragically, others awesome like those who survived going over in barrels and Nick Wallenda tight-rope walking over them which I watched happen live, and other more pensive and inspiring like this story. Niagara Falls always has a special place in my heart and if i move away when I get older I'll always consider the Buffalo-Niagara region my true home where I belong. Just some thoughts. But wow, what a story.
A wonderful story, edifying and entertaing. Living in Buffalo at the time I recall the front page headline of the Sunday edition of the Courier-Express. Thank you, Stuart. RIP
A story well told as would be expected from one of the best. (R.I.P.). The miracle of that little boy's survival from such an ordeal is fantastic. I remember at the time, however, and still today being moved by the heroism of those two men who saved the little girl's life, which would not have been possible without her own efforts to survive.
What struck me most was a part that isn't on this recording. He had had Roger on the phone the whole time he was telling the story. When he talked to Roger after Roger was very subdued. He said "I have told that story many times. This is the first time I heard it."
as Paul Harvey would say "and now for the rest of the story" On the ninth day of July, 1960, Roger Woodward was acclaimed the only person in history to survive a plunge over the Niagara Falls… On that memorable afternoon, he and a friend had been boating some distance above the Falls, when their motor stalled. They tried to row, but a wave capsized the boat and threw them into the torrent. His friend vanished, but Roger, wearing a life jacket, was flung over the lip and down the 162-foot precipice. Providentially, the tourist boat “Maid of the Mist” was at the bottom of the Falls. The captain noticed the bobbing object, then heard a voice crying, “Help!” A life ring was thrown toward him; he grasped it and was pulled to safety. The saving of the boy was a miracle. On the 25th day of July, one year later, Roger Woodward experienced another miracle which gave his life a new dimension. While he was vacationing at a Bible Camp in New York, he heard the glorious gospel of Christ proclaimed. Realizing that his soul was drifting to a lost eternity, he appropriated God’s salvation by accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. What peace and joy flooded his soul. Roger’s gratitude to God was beautifully expressed in these words: “I guess the Lord saved me the first time so that I could be saved the second time.” Although Roger’s second experience did not make the national headlines as did his rescue from the Niagara Falls, the basic facts of each event were the same. *He needed to be saved. *He could not save himself. *He must grasp the life-line provided. Many people do not realize…. THEIR NEED OF GOD’S SALVATION It has been said that “Sinners are a plenteous as cobblestones, but lost sinners are as rare as diamonds,” The Lord Jesus came from heaven “to see and to save that which was lost,” (Luke 19:10). He came, “not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,” (Luke :32). God’s salvation is available to all on the basis of nee. Many do not realize that…. THEY CANNOT SAVE THEMSELVES The Bible says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done,” (Titus 3:5). For “by grace” are ye saved “through faith,” and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph 2:8-9) Human merit has not claim on God’s salvation, the divine formula is given: “by grace,” “through faith,” plus nothing. Many do not realize that…. THEY MUST ACCEPT THE LIFE-LINE PROVIDED The Lord Jesus said., “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved (John 10:9), I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me…shall never die (John 11:25) I am the way , the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) *Without the Way there is no Going. *Without the Truth there is no Knowing. *Without the Life there is no Living. Roger Woodward’s second experience assured him of a Saviour who can “save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth” (Heb 7:25O) Thus, the Lord Jesus not only saves us from the Penalty of sin, which is eternal death and hell, but he also save us from the Power of sin in our lives day by day. AS the “Captain of our Salvation” he will guide us home to heaven where we shall be saved from the very Presence of sin. Such is god’s eternal Salvation-A Divine Plan which displays both the Righteousness and Love of God, based upon “the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;” (Rom. 3:24)- A Universal Plan which offers salvation to all who will, like Roger Woodward, take hold to the lifeline. God’s way of salvation is so simple; you grasp the lifline by receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, THOU SHALT BE SAVED. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,” (Rom. 10: 9-11) Right now, where you are as you are, bow your heart to God and earnestly pray, “God be merciful tome a sinner, and save me for Christ’s sake.” He will hear and answer you prayer, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be save” (Rom. 10:13) -George H. Peebles published by Gospel Folio Press
i have been listening to stuart on u tube since i heard he lost his battle to melanoma...yesterday..so sad ........vodka in hand.. i am in mourning with so many other canucks....i wish i could attend a service some where.......
I see these negative comments (Dark Nite, Salobrena Smith). Please note that Stuart would not approve of such comments. Try to be positive, please. That negativity is totally not in line with Stuart's attitude. Thanks
