November 12, 2008

By JOLENE CRAIG

Parkersburg News and Sentinel


WILLIAMSTOWN — A Discovery Channel host is expected to film at a local glass factory in the near future, an official said.

Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs fame is said to be filming at Fenton Art Glass soon, a spokesperson at the Williamstown factory said. "He will be here filming," said the person who wished to be anonymous.

Fenton Art Glass president George Fenton said the Discovery Channel does not want the date of filming to be known because it could hamper production. "All we can say is that he will be here," Fenton said. Fenton said the footage will be used in a future episode of Dirty Jobs, but he does not know when that episode will air. "We will know more from the Discovery Channel the closer it gets to airing," he said.

Rowe is famous for the series where he travels the nation and serves as an apprentice to men and women who perform hands-on jobs that are often considered some of the dirtiest. These include roadkill removal, recovering golf balls from alligator-infested waters and leather tanning, according to the Discovery Channel. Fenton said the factory is excited about Rowe's appearance.

Attempts to contact Rowe were not successful.

Fenton Art Glass was last on national television on July 4 with a QVC show. The family-owned business made international headlines in August 2007 when it announced the century-old factory would close. The announcement brought on a surge in sales, which has allowed the company to remain open.