The story of Bob Evans, the August election, today's top stories | Daily Briefing

Keith Pandolfi here, wishing you a happy Friday.

In the mid-1970s, during a layover at the Philadelphia airport, I noticed a group of people flocking toward a silver-haired gentleman wearing a bright white suit and a black string tie.

“Do you know who that is, Keith?” my father asked as he kneeled down next to me. “He’s Colonel Sanders.”

I must’ve been around 7 or 8 years old at the time. But I already figured that Colonel Sanders was about as real as Ronald McDonald or Mayor McCheese. A fictional character invented by grownups to sell chicken. But there he was in the Philly airport. Colonel Sanders. In the flesh. No, he wasn’t just a mascot. He was a businessman. An entrepreneur. And, some would say, an American icon.

The Colonel also happened to be good friends with another string-tie-wearing American icon, Bob Evans, who grew up in Southwest Ohio, where he launched a country restaurant and sausage-making company that, while not as famous as Kentucky Fried Chicken, looms just as large, at least here in Ohio, and especially in his native Appalachia.

Kick back and ease into the weekend while I tell you the rags-to-sausage story of Bob Evans. 

What else you need to know Friday, May 12

🌧️ Weather: High of 76, with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm

🗳️ Politics: Republicans set an August election for a proposal that would make it harder to amend the constitution. Now what?

⛳ Entertainment: The indoor Five Iron Golf venue opened in downtown Cincinnati this month. We, of course, had to take a lunch break and try it ourselves.

🎙️ Bengals Beat Podcast: Cincinnati cornerback Mike Hilton is teaming up with Kelsey Conway for a mini-series podcast. Watch the first episode here.

📜 Today in History: On May 12, 1872, Cincinnati’s first incline opened.

Before you go: What are you up to this weekend?

This weekend, ALL the things are happening. We've got festivals dedicated to food, culture and more food – just follow the Ohio River! Head to Coney Island for the Appalachian Festival, Covington Plaza for the Smoke on the River BBQ Fest or Smale Riverfront Park for the Real Taco Fest.

If deal shopping is more your speed, try the Crafty Supermarket at Music Hall, City Flea right out the door at Washington Park, the OFF Market at Summit Park in Blue Ash or head north for the Loveland Athletic Boosters Spring Arts & Crafts Show.

Need more options? Check out our list of the top 10 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend.

Today's top headlines:

• May Festival celebrates 150 years. Here's how it all started

• Kick Lee wants to 'build Cincinnati into a music city'

• Check out the Cincinnati Bengals' 2023 schedule

• Honor your mama with a Mother's Day brunch frittata

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio constitution election in August, Bob Evans, more | Daily Briefing