ABPA’s Barry Kaplan Roast well-attended by roasters, toasters and a bumble bee

CLARKS SUMMIT — Area businessman Barry Kaplan can now breathe a sigh of relief.

It’s all over.

Well, a partial sigh of relief.

Memories of the Abington Business and Professional Association’s (ABPA) Barry Kaplan Roast will likely live on for years to come.

The fundraiser, held Wednesday, Sept. 9 in his honor, was an evening full of surprises — everything from an ice sculpture of Kaplan’s head, to entertaining speeches by his friends, to a visit from Clarks Summit Borough Mayor Patty Lawler dressed as Kaplan’s store’s mascot, the Everything Natural Bee.

Friends and conspirators gather to help ‘roast’ Barry Kaplan, center, during the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Barry Kaplan Roast, an entertaining fundraiser in his honor. From left, Rosalie Allan-Fufaro, Chris Griffing, State Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, Kaplan, ‘Roastmaster’ Frank Santoriello and Marvin Kaplan.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-Roast-1.jpg.optimal.jpgFriends and conspirators gather to help ‘roast’ Barry Kaplan, center, during the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Barry Kaplan Roast, an entertaining fundraiser in his honor. From left, Rosalie Allan-Fufaro, Chris Griffing, State Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, Kaplan, ‘Roastmaster’ Frank Santoriello and Marvin Kaplan. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

‘Roasters’ and committee members gather at the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Barry Kaplan Roast Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Glenn Oak Country Club. From left, first row, Rosalie Allan-Fufaro, Leah Rudolph, Gail Rees, Barry Kaplan, Diane Calabro and Ellen Yuscagage. Second row, Janice Bevacqua, State Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, Chris Griffing, Frank Santoriello and Marvin Kaplan.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-Roast-2.jpg.optimal.jpg‘Roasters’ and committee members gather at the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Barry Kaplan Roast Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Glenn Oak Country Club. From left, first row, Rosalie Allan-Fufaro, Leah Rudolph, Gail Rees, Barry Kaplan, Diane Calabro and Ellen Yuscagage. Second row, Janice Bevacqua, State Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, Chris Griffing, Frank Santoriello and Marvin Kaplan. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Barry Kaplan reacts to seeing Clarks Summit Borough Mayor Patty Lawler enter the room dressed as his store’s mascot, the Everything Natural Bee, during the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Barry Kaplan Roast, a fundraiser in his honor.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-Roast-3.jpg.optimal.jpgBarry Kaplan reacts to seeing Clarks Summit Borough Mayor Patty Lawler enter the room dressed as his store’s mascot, the Everything Natural Bee, during the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Barry Kaplan Roast, a fundraiser in his honor. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Clarks Summit Borough Mayor Patty Lawler give a speech in tribute to Barry Kaplan, dressed as the business owner’s store mascot, the Everything Natural Bee.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-Roast-4.jpg.optimal.jpgClarks Summit Borough Mayor Patty Lawler give a speech in tribute to Barry Kaplan, dressed as the business owner’s store mascot, the Everything Natural Bee. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Barry Kaplan shows his gratitude to Clarks Summit Borough Mayor Patty Lawler for her presentation, dressed as the Everything Natural Bee, during the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Barry Kaplan Roast. In the background, a bee catcher, aka Chris Griffing, closes in with a net.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-Roast-5.jpg.optimal.jpgBarry Kaplan shows his gratitude to Clarks Summit Borough Mayor Patty Lawler for her presentation, dressed as the Everything Natural Bee, during the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Barry Kaplan Roast. In the background, a bee catcher, aka Chris Griffing, closes in with a net. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Tables at the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Barry Kaplan Roast are decorated with event cards that display pictures of Kaplan’s face and his well-known greeting of, ‘Hello, hello!’

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-Roast-6.jpg.optimal.jpgTables at the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Barry Kaplan Roast are decorated with event cards that display pictures of Kaplan’s face and his well-known greeting of, ‘Hello, hello!’ Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Guests enjoy dinner at the Glenn Oak Country Club during the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Barry Kaplan Roast, Wednesday, Sept. 9.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-Roast-7.jpg.optimal.jpgGuests enjoy dinner at the Glenn Oak Country Club during the Abington Business and Professional Association’s Barry Kaplan Roast, Wednesday, Sept. 9. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

A Barry Kaplan bust, carved from a block of ice by Mark Crouthamel, of Sculpted Ice Works, represents Kaplan’s involvement in the ABPA’s annual Clarks Summit Festival of Ice.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_ABJ-Roast-8.jpg.optimal.jpgA Barry Kaplan bust, carved from a block of ice by Mark Crouthamel, of Sculpted Ice Works, represents Kaplan’s involvement in the ABPA’s annual Clarks Summit Festival of Ice. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal