This is the first of two Brag-on-Cambridge stories that feature a scene at the 1893 World's Fair. How about a big-time lawyer, a national college baseball champion, a national college football champion, and a successful Army-West Point head football coach? And yes, it's all one bragworthy, Cambridge-born person.

The largest farm machinery manufacturer in New York State? In the United States? In the world? Oh, yes. And to cap it off, how about the French Legion of Merit awarded by Napoleon III? With all that, we shouldn't be surprised that he hired Abraham Lincoln as his lawyer.

They called this Cambridge man "Live Oak". He was a self-made giant of business and a candidate for President of the United States. Learn how Civil War muskets were named for him and how his ship took 30,000 lbs. of gold to the bottom of the Atlantic. Today when in NYC, you can visit the place named for him and walk the bridge he built. Oh yes, Live Oak gives us much to brag about!

Episode 5: Jethro Would Plow All He Could If Jethro Wood Could Plow

Say what? His invention is on par with Robert Fulton's inventions? More impactful than Eli Whitney's cotton gin? He was a pen pal with Thomas Jefferson? His story became a key reason for U.S. Patent Law? . . . Oh yes, so get your Cambridge-bragging-ears on, come with me and let's "plow" our way through this episode!

Episode 4: “Vly” Like an Eagle – or – “Vly” Me to the Moon        

Do you know Cambridge produced a titan of the music business, someone the New York Times called "the dean of the American record industry", someone who was honored with a Grammy Trustees Award, someone who discovered and became dear friends with Hank Williams? . . . It all got started when he began plucking on a jaw harp for local farmers.

Episode #3: He Showed His Mettle and Earned His Medal When He Saved Uncle Billy’s Bacon

Know someone from the Pacific Northwest? Want to brag to them about how Cambridge impacted their area?

We hope to soon visit my wife's family out in Tacoma, Washington. I'm going to have some fun when I get there because I'll absolutely wear them out with this episode and some endless Cambridge-bragging. Tacoma is home to much that is named for the star of this episode, a native of Cambridge, New York. He gives us much to brag about.

Episode #2: Give the Man a Cheesehead Hat!      

Hey, if you ever go to Green Bay . . . or maybe if you know somebody from Green Bay . . . or if you ever just watch a Green Bay Packers NFL game on TV . . . well, here's another way to do a little Cambridge-bragging.

Episode #1: Thieves! They Stole our Lake!

Cambridge is here on the map. Salem is there. Lauderdale in the middle, right? . . . Right??? And James Lauderdale . . . he's from Cambridge . . . right? I'm confused . . . hey, come along with me because we must get to the bottom of this!

Welcome to:

Don't Let That One Stoplight Fool You! 30 Fun, Easy, Cambridge-area Stories to Brag About and Impress Your Friends.

This Introduction explains what this podcast is all about - and why I call it the "Don't Let That One Stoplight Fool You!" podcast. Get ready to learn a bit of local history, to have some fun, and to brag just a bit about Cambridge.