Connellsville featured in HGTV show
On Saturday, Connellsville will be the focus of a national TV program featuring the city and the rehabilitation of an old house at 210 W. Green St.
Jenna Hoover, who has been rehabilitating homes in the Connellsville area under her company name, Jenna Does Houses, was contacted in August 2014 by the HGTV network about doing a show.
“In September of last year, they came out and shot all day long,” said Hoover, adding the video was edited down to a 4-minute clip. “They (HGTV) loved it. They came out and did a whole episode over 17 days.”
Hoover said the show was based on the renovation of the home on West Green Street, which she and her partner, Adam MacPhearson, had undertaken with their contractor, Dennis Savinda of Savinda Design and Remodeling of Plum Borough.
“There are some really cool scenes and really cool transitions (from older photos and aerial shots) on what the city looks like today,” said Hoover.
She said some of the scenes include the view walking across the West Crawford Avenue bridge and walking around the business district. One scene includes people sitting outside at the tables at Wavie and Janes Emporium on West Apple Street. Another was shot at an Atkins Music Center open house on West Crawford Avenue.
“Probably people in town probably didn't realize they're in it (the video,)” said Hoover.
The episode will air on the cable and satellite network DIY at noon Saturday. It will also be shown on the HGTV cable and satellite network at noon Saturday and at noon Dec. 18.
If the episode is well received, Hoover said HGTV will likely develop a series of eight or 13 episodes, all based in the Connellsville area.
Connellsville Mayor Greg Lincoln was happy to hear Hoover is doing so well and that the city will be viewed on television.
“It's always great to hear that someone in our area has achieved great things,” wrote Lincoln in an email. “Jenna has worked very hard to get where she is today. She has invested in Connellsville by fixing up a lot of the homes in our city. I'm glad Connellsville will get such a positive image on TV.”
Karl Polacek is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at kpolacek@tribweb.com or 724-626-3538.
