Main Streets & Backroads with Carlene Hall

What if the key to living longer, healthier, and more fulfilled lives is simple involvement?

In this episode of Mills County Roots, Carlene Hall sits down with Sheri Bowen, Mills County native and longtime public health leader, to talk about Volunteer Iowa and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

After retiring as Administrator of Mills County Public Health, Sheri didn’t slow down. Now she connects adults 55 or better with meaningful volunteer opportunities across Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, and Page counties.

In this conversation, you’ll learn about:

• Volunteer opportunities at local libraries, museums, schools, and food pantries
• The Lake in Child Development Center and youth reading programs
• The Glenwood Area Historical Museum
• Southwest Iowa Technical Career Hub
• How nonprofits can partner with Volunteer Iowa
• Why community involvement improves physical and mental health

Whether you want to rock babies, organize artifacts, listen to children read, greet visitors, or help behind the scenes, there is a place for you.

If you are 55 or better and looking for purpose, connection, and impact, this episode is for you.

Mills County Roots highlights the people who make our communities stronger. Subscribe and follow for more local stories from across Mills County.

Prom season is more than a dress. It’s confidence. It’s identity. It’s the moment she walks in and everyone remembers.In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall sits down with Julie Mount, owner of Enspire Couture and Enspire Boutique in Glenwood, Iowa.Julie shares her journey from high school business teacher to boutique owner, why she chose Glenwood, and how she built a formalwear experience centered around service, inclusivity, and confidence.Inside Enspire Couture, it’s not just about selling a dress. It’s about helping young women feel unforgettable. With sizes ranging from triple zero to 24 and price points from $300 to couture-level glam, Julie has created a personalized, appointment-based experience that keeps customers driving in from across Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, and beyond.In this episode, you’ll hear:• How Enspire Couture started• Why inclusivity in size and budget matters• What prom trends are hot right now• The power of small-town businesses• Why confidence is the ultimate accessoryIf you’re in Glenwood, Mills County, Southwest Iowa, or the Omaha metro area, this is a must-watch before prom season.📍 Enspire Couture13 North Vine StreetGlenwood, Iowa🌐 Website: https://www.enspireboutique.com📱 Follow on Instagram & Facebook to book appointments🎙 Mills County Routes is hosted by Carlene Hall and highlights the people, businesses, and stories that make our community thrive.For guest inquiries, sponsorships, or show information:📧 [email protected]

What happens when the interviewer becomes the interviewee?

In this special episode of Mills County Routes, Sandi Winton steps into the host chair and interviews Carlene Hall about the story behind the show and the path that led her to launching hyper local media in Mills County.

Carlene shares:

• Her career in radio, sales, marketing, and media
• Serving as a Veteran Service Officer and EMT
• Touring as a singer songwriter across the country
• The heart behind Still Serving Iowa Veterans
• How Mills County Routes was born
• Why highlighting local people matters

This conversation dives into civic responsibility, volunteering, small town growth, and why the heartbeat of Mills County is its people.

If you have ever wondered how this platform got started or why it exists, this episode tells the full story.

Mills County Routes highlights the people, businesses, and stories that shape our communities.

To be featured or to become a sponsor, contact Carlene Hall:
Phone: 712-314-0029
Email: [email protected]

Subscribe and follow for more conversations from across Mills County.

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The Story Behind Mills County Routes | Sandi Winton Interviews Carlene Hall

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In this special role reversal episode, Sandi Winton interviews Carlene Hall about how Mills County Routes began.

From radio sales and veteran advocacy to touring with her guitar and launching hyper local media, Carlene shares the journey that led her to telling the stories of Mills County.

This conversation is about service, music, community, civic involvement, and why volunteering and local engagement matter more than ever.

Watch and learn how this platform was built and where it is headed next.

What makes Mills County worth the trip and worth the stay?In this episode of Mills County Roots, Carlene Hall sits down with Lu Peverill, Chair of the Mills County Tourism Committee and owner of Hillsdale Lily Garden. Lou shares how tourism in Mills County is evolving, from murals in every community to the Tenderloin Trail, outdoor adventures, and new marketing efforts that are putting the county on the map.With deep family roots in Hillsdale dating back to the 1800s, Lu talks about legacy, leadership, and what it takes to build pride across eight communities. You’ll hear about:• The vision for a mural in every town • 31 outdoor adventure locations across the county• The Travel Iowa grant supporting new video marketing• The Lily Fest and agritourism at Hillsdale Lily Garden• How small towns can collaborate instead of competeIf you think there’s nothing to do in Mills County, this conversation may change your mind.Visit: visitmillscounty.comFollow: Visit Mills County on FacebookLearn more about Hillsdale Lily Garden and Lily Fest this JulyIf you care about small towns, local business, and the future of Southwest Iowa, this one is for you.

In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall sits down with Sandy Winton at Malvern Bank to discuss her decision to run for Mills County Supervisor.

Sandy shares her story of coming to Mills County through Offutt Air Force Base, falling in love with the community, and choosing to stay long after her family’s military assignment ended. Now deeply involved in economic development, tourism, Vision Glenwood, and community betterment efforts, she is stepping forward to serve at the county level.

This conversation covers:

• Property taxes and affordability
• Roads and infrastructure concerns
• EMS coverage in rural areas
• Transparency and communication in county government
• The Mills County landfill and environmental impact
• Tourism growth and supporting small businesses
• Veterans advocacy and Home Base Iowa efforts

Sandy also shares results from her Mills County priorities survey and discusses what residents are saying matters most.

If you care about the future of Mills County, this is an important conversation about leadership, responsibility, and community involvement.

Subscribe to Mills County Routes for more conversations with the people shaping our county.

In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall visits Good Life Eye Care in Glenwood, Iowa and sits down with Dr. Kyle Klute during a Mills County Chamber Coffee and Connections and ribbon cutting.

Dr. Klute explains why maintaining local access to eye care is vital for Mills County and how his clinic continues the legacy of vision care in this longtime medical location.

Topics discussed include:

• The importance of early and regular eye exams for children
• The connection between screen time and increasing myopia
• How undiagnosed vision problems can impact school performance
• Common causes of red eye and when to seek care
• Lifestyle habits that support long term eye health

If you are looking for an eye doctor in Glenwood or Mills County, this episode gives you a clear look at what Good Life Eye Care offers and why local healthcare matters.

In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall sits down with Gitzy of the Mills County Chamber of Commerce to talk about community, leadership, legacy, and what makes Southwest Iowa special.

Gitzy shares her journey as a first generation American born in Queens, raised in Tulsa, and shaped by living in 10 different cities before planting roots in Mills County in 2016. Raised by a single mother and now raising two children of her own, she reflects on adaptability, identity, and the strength that comes from learning how to belong in new places.

Now serving in a leadership role with the Chamber, Gitzy talks about:

• What it means to truly integrate into a small town community
• Balancing tradition with forward growth
• Supporting local entrepreneurs and shopping local
• Creating connection, collaboration and community
• Raising children in a place that offers peace of mind

This conversation explores how small towns create space for purpose, legacy and meaningful relationships. It is about honoring history while building the future.

If you care about the future of Mills County and Southwest Iowa, this is one you will want to watch.

Subscribe for more stories highlighting the people shaping Mills County.

In this special episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall shares video from the emotional homecoming of 59 Iowa National Guard soldiers returning from deployment in Syria.

Carlene Hall and Darlene McMartin traveled to Sioux City to witness the moment the plane landed and families gathered inside the hangar to welcome their loved ones home. Parents, grandparents, spouses, and children waited with signs and open arms.

Some of the soldiers met their babies for the very first time. Children ran across the hangar floor. Families embraced after months apart. It was a powerful reminder of the sacrifice made not only by our service members, but by their families.

Carlene and Darlene also host Still Serving Iowa Veterans. Darlene served 28 years as Veteran Service Director in Pottawattamie County. Carlene served five years as Veteran Service Director in Fremont County. Both continue their work supporting veterans across Iowa through the Iowa Veterans Foundation and the Iowa State Commission.

If you support our troops and their families, please watch, share, and follow Still Serving Iowa Veterans.

If you could not make the meeting, this episode is for you.In this special edition of Mills County Routes, we are sharing a full town hall conversation so you can hear directly what was discussed, what questions were asked, and how your community’s concerns were addressed.This is not commentary. This is not spin. This is the full exchange.Topics discussed include:• Mental health services for children and the shortage of inpatient beds in Iowa• Medicaid cuts and rural health care access• Women’s health care and reproductive rights• AI regulation and environmental concerns tied to data centers• Water quality and Iowa’s rising cancer rates• Immigration enforcement and constitutional rights• Funding for ICE and Homeland Security• The future of the U.S. Post Office• Public education, college affordability, and foster care support• The role of Congress and separation of powersMany people cannot attend weekday meetings because of work, family, or transportation barriers. Representation should not depend on your schedule. This recording gives you access to the same information and dialogue that those in the room received.Watch. Listen. Stay informed.Because informed citizens are represented citizens.We do not endorse any political party or candidates.

In this episode of Mills County Roots, Carlene Hall visits Malvern, Iowa to sit down with Garrett and Lindsay Stevens, the proprietors of Teed Up Tavern.Garrett is a lifelong Malvern area local with deep Mills County roots. Lindsay moved to Malvern in 2017 and grew into the community over the past few years. Together, they took on a big project: combining two buildings and transforming them into a modern, welcoming space with golf simulators, a full bar, and rooms designed for everything from leagues to private gatherings.They share the story behind the renovation, the teamwork that made it possible, and the support they received from friends, family, local businesses, and the Malvern Bank. They also talk about working with Noah Guzman of Neo Construction and the challenge of exposing and restoring the original brick.Teed Up Tavern offers more than golf simulators. You will hear about leagues, tournaments with the Fairway golf course, pool, darts, live music, karaoke, trivia, music bingo, and the kind of community energy that is helping Malvern keep growing.If you have not been there yet, this episode will make you want to stop in.