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 efficiency, and modern design trends, this conversation explores how personalized window coverings improve comfort, privacy, and style.

Whether you’re building a new home, updating an Airbnb, remodeling a room, or simply wanting a fresh look, Jamie explains the process and products available through Blind Ambitions.

📍 Featured Business: Blind Ambitions
📞 515-461-7200

Watch more local stories and community features at:
🌐 www.millscountyroutes.com

#MillsCountyRoutes #BlindAmbitions #JamieBrinkman #CustomBlinds #WindowTreatments #SouthwestIowa #HomeDesign #Entrepreneurship #GlenwoodIowa

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 explains cybersecurity in plain English and shares practical ways people can better protect themselves in today’s digital world.

The conversation also covers the closing of the Glenwood Makerspace, online safety for small businesses, backup systems, cloud storage risks, and why cybersecurity is no longer optional.

📍 Featured Guest: Ryan Hague
🦉 Snowy Owl Security
🌐 www.snowyowlsecurity.com

Watch more local stories and conversations at:
🌐 www.millscountyroutes.com
#CyberSecurity #CanvasHack #IdentityTheft #SnowyOwlSecurity #MillsCountyRoutes #RyanHague #DataBreach #OnlineSafety #IowaBusiness #Technology

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 metal trees displayed throughout Malvern, Iowa, and see one of Woody’s latest custom fire pit creations headed to Cody, Wyoming.This episode is a powerful reminder that creativity, hard work, and legacy still matter in small-town America.🌲 Featured in this episode:• Woody Jones custom fire pits and sculptures• The famous Malvern metal trees• Handmade furniture and home craftsmanship• Life, family, and creativity in Mills CountyWatch more local stories and community features at:www.millscountyroutes.com#MillsCountyRoutes #MetalArt #CustomFirePits #IowaArtist #MalvernIowa #SmallTownAmerica #WeldingArt #SteelSculpture

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 events, volunteer opportunities, and rental space for celebrations, the Bloom Center continues to serve as a social hub for Mills County.

You’ll also hear the story behind the center, how meals and services have changed over the years, and why places like this matter now more than ever.

Whether you’re looking for connection, community involvement, or simply a place where the coffee is always on, this episode shines a light on one of Glenwood’s hidden gems.

Learn more about Mills County Routes:
www.millscountyroutes.com

#MillsCountyRoutes #GlenwoodIowa #BloomCenter #SmallTownIowa #CommunityConnection #SeniorCenter #IowaLife #CarleneHall

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 and essentials, this organization continues to serve hundreds of local families through kindness, generosity, and hard work.

📍 Mills County Storehouse
405 Nuckles Street
Glenwood, Iowa

Learn more about the stories and businesses shaping southwest Iowa at:
🌐 www.millscountyroutes.com
🌐 www.localstreammedia.com

#MillsCountyRoutes #GlenwoodIowa #FoodPantry #CommunitySupport #IowaNonprofits #Volunteer #PeopleHelpingPeople #MillsCounty

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 rebuilding of the historic store after the 2021 fire, this episode highlights why local businesses still matter.

You’ll also get a full tour of the store, including the deli, fresh-cut meats, produce, homemade salads, and local favorites that keep customers coming back from across southwest Iowa.

Visit:⁠www.millscountyroutes.com⁠⁠www.localstreammedia.com⁠

#MillsCountyRoutes #MulhollandGrocery #SmallTownIowa #LocalBusiness #MalvernIowa #IowaFood #SmallBusiness #CommunityStrong

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 rebuilding of the historic store after the 2021 fire, this episode highlights why local businesses still matter.

You’ll also get a full tour of the store, including the deli, fresh-cut meats, produce, homemade salads, and local favorites that keep customers coming back from across southwest Iowa.

Visit:
www.millscountyroutes.com
www.localstreammedia.com

#MillsCountyRoutes #MulhollandGrocery #SmallTownIowa #LocalBusiness #MalvernIowa #IowaFood #SmallBusiness #CommunityStrong

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 learning for all ages, Dawn shares how the library has transformed into one of southwest Iowa’s most impactful community spaces. The episode also explores the history behind the new library building, the community effort that made it possible, and the programs bringing thousands of people through its doors each year.

Featured topics include:
• The history of the Lakin Library & Envisioning Center
• STEM education and youth programming
• Community outreach and literacy initiatives
• Makerspaces, 3D printing, and creative learning
• Senior wellness and lifelong learning
• Farmer’s market partnerships and nutrition education
• How small-town libraries are evolving for the future

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’ll hear:
• Why Jesse chose Glenwood to build her business
• How Vine Street Café is creating a true community gathering space
• The importance of small-town connection in a fast-paced world
• What makes this café different from anything you’ll find in the city
• How local support is helping this business thrive

With seating, events, and a welcoming atmosphere, Vine Street Café is quickly becoming a cornerstone of the Glenwood community.

👉 Stop in, support local, and experience what small-town connection really feels like.

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 times matter more than ever
• The true cost of emergency equipment and training
• How Glenwood provides 24/7 paramedic coverage
• What happens during fire, medical, and rescue calls
• Why community support is critical for the future of EMS

With no hospital in Mills County and increasing demand, the stakes are high. This is a must-watch for anyone who lives here, cares about local safety, or wants to understand how emergency services really work.

👉 Watch, share, and help support the people who show up when it matters most.