By Andy Furman
NKy Tribune staff writer
You can call Doug Martin a giver – of love and wealth – but we prefer to call him a philanthropist. That’s one who dedicates time, money, or resources to promote human welfare and help others.
In fact, philanthropist was derived from the Greek word for “love of humanity,” the term applies to anyone working to create positive, long-term change – regardless of their wealth or status.
That, in a nutshell is Doug Martin.
And, he was at it again, Saturday evening at Ludlow Memorial Park – part of the Riverfront Commons trail system — where he funded the H. Gordon and Thelma S. Martin RiverStage at the Park.
And it wasn’t the first time son Doug – he’s 76 now – has preserved the legacy of his late parents – Gordon and Thelma, who together built successful business enterprises and improved the quality of life in Northern Kentucky.
Just prior to the dedication of the stage bearing his parents’ name — and prior to the gala fireworks show last evening — Doug talked about his father’s involvement in the civic life of NKY. He was, for example, one of the leaders responsible for making Northern Kentucky University a reality.
“The ballroom at Northern Kentucky University’s Student Center bears the name – Gordon and Thelma Martin – and Donaldson Road in Erlanger to the Airport is the H. Gordon Martin Memorial Highway.” That portion of Donaldson Road was named for his dad in 2018, he said.
Gordon Martin was once the largest landowner in Erlanger and developed Cherry Hill subdivision, along with hotels, entertainment facilities and more. Remember his dad’s Ten Pen Bowl in Erlanger? He was also head of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, chair of NKU’s Board, and helped found the NKY Homebuilders Association.
But why the love for Ludlow?
“My dad was from Ludlow,” Martin said, “and my mom was from, Lebanon, Ky. In fact, mom rode the train to Ludlow and taught at Ludlow High School. My folks met in Ludlow and were married on January 1, 1949.”
The H. Gordon & Thelma S. Martin RiverStage project started about a year ago, says Martin. “I met with the Ludlow City Manager, and he said we needed a covered stage for performances.”
Martin said last year the park scheduled a band for a performance, the rains came, and there was no cover. And, no band – they scooted after the raindrops started falling, according to Martin. This year, the band had a new covered stage for their performance.
The cost — “It was a few bucks,” he grinned. “Try about $50,000.”
Martin donated $50,000 for the project through his Douglas G. Martin Foundation – and the rest was provided by the City of Ludlow.
“It’s kind of funny,” Martin says, “I bought my first house for $49,000 and I paid $50,000 for a stage.”
That’s why he’s called a philanthropist.