Main Streets & Backroads

Michelle Morelock joins Carlene Hall to explore Shenandoah’s past, present, and future — from historic roots to today’s business growth and the community’s efforts to prepare young people for local careers. This episode also highlights SCIA’s July 15th Annual Meeting & Ag Banquet featuring Chip Flory. Register by July 10th at 712‑246‑3455 . Hashtags (Spotify-friendly): #ShenandoahIA #SCIA #Iow...

In this special Main Streets & Backroads series, Carlene Hall sits down with a group of local 10 and 11-year-olds to capture a moment in time and hear directly from the next generation. With the help of Holly Jackson at Wabash Coffee House & Bakery, along with the participating kids and their parents, we gathered a remarkable group of young people to talk about life, dreams, and the future...

What started as a historic hardware store has become one of Tabor's favorite gathering places. In this episode of Main Streets & Backroads , Carlene Hall visits with Meg Kirchert , owner of Meg's Burgers & Brew , to talk about preserving one of Tabor's most iconic buildings while creating a welcoming space for the community. From the building's rich history dating back to 1...

In this episode, Carlene Hall visits the historic Chautauqua Pavilion in Riverton, Iowa, and sits down with Sandy Booker to explore the rich history, community pride, and preservation efforts surrounding one of Fremont County’s most unique landmarks. Originally built in 1896-1897 and now listed among Iowa’s Most Endangered Properties for 2026, the pavilion has hosted political speeches, community...

In this episode of Main Streets & Backroads , Carlene Hall visits with Matt Moles, Park Manager at Waubonsie State Park, as the park celebrates its 100th anniversary. Matt shares the history of the park, upcoming centennial events, wildlife encounters, hiking trails, camping opportunities, artist residencies, and what makes Waubonsie one of Iowa’s most treasured outdoor destinations. From brea...

What happens when an aging parent needs a little extra help, but still wants to remain independent? In this episode of Main Streets & Backroads, Carlene Hall sits down with Aubrey Kutchera of Connections Area Agency on Aging to discuss the programs and services available to seniors and caregivers across Western Iowa. Learn about: • Home-delivered meals and congregate meal programs • Transporta...

In this episode of Main Streets & Backroads , Carlene Hall visits with Lyle and Jan Tackett to explore the rich history, traditions, and behind-the-scenes work that make the 103rd Sidney Championship Rodeo one of Iowa's most celebrated events. From its roots as a veterans-led community tradition to its place as a Rodeo Hall of Fame Rodeo , this conversation highlights the volunteers, famil...

Mills County Roots is hitting a major milestone -- 100 episodes -- and with that comes an exciting announcement. Host Carlene Hall sits down with Kyle Ranney of TaleSlate Agency in the Art Alley of Malvern, Iowa, to share what's next for the show. The program is getting a new name: Main Streets and Backroads Southwest Iowa. The expanded show will now cover Mills, Montgomery, Page, and Fremont...

In this episode of Mills County Roots, host Carleen Hall sits down with Stacy, the co-founder and driving force behind the Farmer's Daughters, at her beautifully merchandised shop in Glenwood, Iowa. Stacy shares her deeply rooted connection to the Silver City and Malvern areas, detailing how her upbringing as a true farmer's daughter shaped her passion for local community and creative comm...

In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall visits Best Nest Farm with owner Amy to explore one of southwest Iowa’s most unique getaway destinations. From luxury covered wagon glamping and peaceful lakeside views to alpacas, goats, kayaking, fishing, and unforgettable sunsets, this hidden retreat blends nature, relaxation, and adventure in the heart of Mills County. Amy shares how she and...

In this special Memorial Day weekend episode of Still Serving Iowa Veterans , we visit The Wall That Heals at Lewis Central High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Host Carlene Hall speaks with site manager Sandy Nugent about the powerful mission behind bringing this traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica to communities across America. This moving experience honors the 58,281 men and women whose...

In this heartfelt episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall sits down with Malvern Mayor Donna Miller for a powerful conversation about community, hardship, faith, and helping neighbors in times of need. Donna shares personal stories about raising children during difficult financial times, the importance of local food pantries, and why nobody should feel ashamed to ask for help. The conversatio...

In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall sits down with Mills County Supervisor candidate Sandi Winton for an in-depth conversation about leadership, budgeting, public safety, economic growth, property taxes, transparency, EMS services, and the future of Mills County. Sandi shares stories from growing up in rural Missouri, working alongside farming communities, serving in leadership ro...

In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall sits down with Jamie Brinkman of Blind Ambitions at Vine Street Café in Glenwood, Iowa. Jamie shares her journey from corporate America into entrepreneurship and explains how custom window treatments can completely transform the feel of a home without a full remodel. From roller shades and motorized blinds to room-darkening options, energy effic...

In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall sits down with cybersecurity expert Ryan Hague of Snowy Owl Security to break down one of the latest major cyberattacks and what it means for everyday people, businesses, students, and families. From the massive Canvas data breach to identity theft risks, cloud storage vulnerabilities, home network security, and protecting personal data, Ryan ex...

In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall visits Woody and Barb Jones to explore a life built on craftsmanship, creativity, and community. From custom fire pits and massive steel sculptures to handcrafted furniture and artistic home design, Woody shares how decades of welding and construction evolved into a unique form of metal artistry. You’ll also hear the story behind the iconic meta...

What makes a community feel like home? Sometimes it’s a simple cup of coffee, a puzzle table, a game of Scrabble, or a friendly conversation. In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall visits the Bloom Center in Glenwood, Iowa, to sit down with Bonnie Millsap and explore how this welcoming community space brings people together across generations. From yoga and card games to community ev...

In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall visits the Mills County Storehouse and Food Pantry in Glenwood, Iowa, where volunteers are making a real difference for families across Mills County. Peggy Sarno shares how donated items help fund the food pantry, the growing need for support, and the incredible community spirit behind the mission. From clothing and household items to fresh food...

What keeps a small-town grocery store alive for more than 150 years? In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall visits Mulholland Grocery in Malvern, Iowa, to talk with longtime owner and award-winning meat cutter Tom Mulholland about fresh food, community support, and preserving small-town tradition in a changing world. From handcrafted meats and homemade deli favorites to the rebuildin...

What keeps a small-town grocery store alive for more than 150 years? In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall visits Mulholland Grocery in Malvern, Iowa, to talk with longtime owner and award-winning meat cutter Tom Mulholland about fresh food, community support, and preserving small-town tradition in a changing world. From handcrafted meats and homemade deli favorites to the rebuildin...

In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall visits the Lakin Library & Envisioning Center in Tabor, Iowa, for a conversation with longtime library director Dawn Miller about how a small-town library became a hub for innovation, education, wellness, and community connection. From STEM programs and makerspaces to senior fitness classes, seed libraries, gardening projects, and hands-on l...

In this episode of Mills County Routes , we sit down with Jesse, owner of Vine Street Café & Bakery in Glenwood, Iowa, to talk about building more than just a business… but a place for people to connect. From homemade cinnamon rolls and fresh coffee to community events and meaningful conversations, this café was created with one goal in mind: slowing life down and bringing people together. You...

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Glenwood Fire & EMS Department and see what it actually takes to respond to emergencies in Mills County. From life-saving equipment and advanced paramedic care to the real challenges of staffing, funding, and long transport times, this episode pulls back the curtain on the people and resources protecting our community every day. You’ll learn: • Why response...

In this episode of Mills County Routes , Carlene Hall sits down with Joe of Joe Designer to go behind the scenes of a long-standing local business in Glenwood. From starting with just a computer and printer to serving hundreds of clients, Joe shares the journey of building a business from the ground up. You’ll also get an inside look at the full screen printing process, from design to production,...

Mental Health Awareness Month starts with one simple message: you’re not alone. In this episode, we sit down with Anna Kilpack and Stephanie Willis from NAMI Southwest Iowa to talk about the real challenges people are facing right now and the support that’s available right here in our communities. From caregiver burnout to veteran mental health, postpartum struggles to everyday stress, this conver...