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,S VEGA
T he thornless honey locust graces the plush lawn of the
UGA Founders Garden, spawning legumes that feed small,
hungry creatures and providing shade to passers-by. Every
May, the deciduous perennial tree buds golden-green flow
ers whose thin petals glow in the spring sunlight. Prized for its
strong wood, its absorption of carbon dioxide and its enrich
ment of nitrogen in the soil, the thornless honey locust is
often planted to alleviate the environmental stress of urban
development. Like the tree soon to be dedicated to him, David
Alan "Top Dawg" Lewis was a giver. The most devastating flaw
to the analogy is that, while the tree is likely to live for 150
years, Alan fell to his death at the young age of 29 while sav
ing his beloved dog at the edge of a waterfall.
Alan's sudden death sent a shock-wave through his tightly
knit yet expansive web of friends. They sought solace in what
connected them: the memory of Alan and his love for music.
After his funeral last May, his friends and family members gath
ered by the dozens at Blind Pig Tavern to join in a jam fest
honoring the man who brought so many good people together.
"Last year when we got together for Alan's memorial ser
vice, and we put together a show on the fly, it was the most
positive energy, and the idea was sparked that we needed to
do it again. Around Christmas of this year, we decided that we
needed to make it a reality," says organizer Kevin Cartan.
The idea for AlanFest grew from fond memories of their dear
friend and reflections on the presence they felt in commemo
rating him through music. AlanFest a three-day event includ
ing an Earth Day benefit concert, will feature artists who were
favorites and friends of Alan, as well as some who were simply
moved by his story.
The proceeds of AlanFest will be given entirely to The
David Alan Lewis foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organiza- -
tion headed by Carlan and several others who were profoundly
affected by Alan's death, to endow a scholarship, which
will exist in his name. Alan, a graduate of the University of
Georgia's landscape architecture program, had a remarkable
aptitude for merging the natural environment with that of an
urban location. However, this scholarship will not necessar
ily be given to the standard straight-A scholarship applicant.
Instead it will be given to candidates who share the earnest
drive and perseverance that defined Alan.
Carlan recollects an incident characteristic of Alan's heart
and determination: "I sat down at his desk and flipped through
some stuff, and I found a stack of letters. Each was dated
about six months apart, all on UGA stationary. He had men
tioned something about wanting to be a landscape architect,
but at the time, I was clueless as to what that was. The letters
each informed him that his application for admission had been
denied, but that he should reapply for the next term. And he
had, again and again, because he knew what would make him
happy, and that UGA is where he wanted to receive his degree.
He was eventually accepted... after about three years of apply
ing. We're going to keep all of that in mind when we select
recipients of Alan's scholarship," says Carlan.
For his family and friends, the process of planning the event
has been therapeutic. "I $ee Alan in all that I do, and so do
my friends," Carlan says, "And getting to talk to my friends on
a daily basis—we've recognized the value of our friendships.
I've cried a hundred times through this process...’ But it's been
encouraging, it's been a triumph of the human spirit. It's not
about any of us; it's about Alan. He was worth it."
Despite its beauty and benefits, the thornless honey locust
often goes unnoticed in a garden abounding with bright flow
ers and d6cor. Likewise, Carlan remarks, "Alan was such a
subtle guy.... small in stature and soft-spoken. But he was the
best at everything that he pursued; he was a class-five kay
aker, E3gle Scout, aquatics director, billiards player, guitarist,
landscape architect, the list goes on... But at first look, you'd
just never know how amazing the guy was. That was one of the
things I admired the most about him."
Jodi Murphy
&
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APRIL 18,2012 • FLAGPOLE.COM 15