Main Streets & Backroads with Carlene Hall

Main Streets & Backroads with Carlene Hall Small towns. Big heart. Proud to call it home.

Southwest Iowa... one story at a time
Daily interviews with business owners, leaders, nonprofits, & residents
Hosted by Carlene Hall, multi-media professional, and advocate for US military veterans.

HELLO JUNE!PLEASE PLAN TO VOTE JUNE 2nd. (Tomorrow). This is where it counts, AT HOME!
06/01/2026

HELLO JUNE!
PLEASE PLAN TO VOTE JUNE 2nd.
(Tomorrow). This is where it counts,
AT HOME!

05/29/2026

Mills County Routes 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 Counties, shining a light on the deep-rooted community ties, local businesses, arts, and organizations that make this corner of Iowa truly special. Kyle and TaleSlate Agency will continue bringing their videography and drone photography to help tell those stories visually.
In this episode, Kyle also shares a personal connection to the area -- discovering that his family name, Berganzel, has deep roots right here in Mills County, including a great uncle, Albion Berganzel, who served and gave his life in the Vietnam War. It's exactly the kind of story that makes this show worth watching.
The team also gives a shoutout to the Art Alley in Malvern, Fine Arts on Fifth, and the Wabash Coffee Company and Bakery. If you have a story, a business, or a person in Southwest Iowa that deserves to be highlighted, reach out!
Contact:
Carlene Hall -- [email protected] | 712-314-0029
Kyle Ranney -- [email protected] | 402-810-0970
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment -- especially if you knew Doug Berganzel and his legendary motorcycle jump into the rock quarry!

05/28/2026

This week on Mills County Routes we’re revisiting one of our favorite stories, the incredible transformation of the historic Ford Building in Malvern, Iowa.

If you’ve ever dreamed about downtown living, opening a business, or finding unique commercial space in Southwest Iowa, this is a project you need to see.

Host Carlene Hall tours the beautifully restored building with owners Nick and Laura Sorensen, who transformed the former 1917 Ford dealership into a thriving mixed-use space filled with apartments, offices, and local businesses.

Originally built to showcase Model T and Model A vehicles, the building even featured an elevator large enough to lift cars to the upper showroom floor. Today, that same historic character has been preserved while creating new opportunities for residents, entrepreneurs, and the community.

Inside the Ford Building:
• Modern loft-style apartments with exposed brick and tall ceilings
• One, two, and three-bedroom units
• Commercial and office space available downtown
• Home to Sorensen Electric, Side Street Styles, The Malvern Leader, and Wabash Bakery
• A restored elevator shaft from the building’s dealership days

This redevelopment is helping breathe new life into downtown Malvern while creating unique spaces for people to live and work.

Watch the rerun and learn more about the available apartment and business space inside one of Southwest Iowa’s most iconic buildings.

Subscribe to Mills County Routes for more stories highlighting the people, businesses, and communities shaping Mills County and Southwest Iowa.

05/27/2026

In this episode of Mills County Roots, host Carlene 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 commerce. Armed with a degree in fashion merchandising, Stacy describes the early days of her business when she and her sister operated as pickers, traveling to regional events like Junk Stock in Omaha to sell repurposed treasures.

The conversation traces the impressive evolution of the Farmer's Daughters from a home-based storage challenge into a multi-location enterprise. Stacy explains how a need for space led to their first storefront in Sydney, Iowa, which quickly expanded to include full floral services through self-taught design and resourceful DIY cooling solutions. The business has since blossomed to include vibrant locations in Glenwood and Shenandoah, Iowa. Throughout the interview, Stacy emphasizes the vital importance of supporting small rural communities and details her philosophy of community over competition, illustrating how local florists collaborate to ensure mutual success.

05/26/2026

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 her husband Marcel left city life behind to build a peaceful escape where guests can unplug, reconnect with nature, and experience luxury glamping in a truly beautiful setting. The conversation also dives into wildlife, alpaca fiber, honey production, family memories, and the vision behind creating a one-of-a-kind destination right here in southwest Iowa.

📍 Featured Location: Best Nest Farm
🌐 www.bestnestfarm.com
🎙 Hosted by: Carlene Hall
🌾 Series: Mills County Routes

05/22/2026

TODAY: WE ARE COLLABORATING WITH OUR SISTER PODCAST STILL SERVING IOWA VETERANS
CO-HOSTED BY DARLENE MCMARTIN AND CARLENE HALL
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 names are etched on the wall while also recognizing the sacrifices made by Vietnam veterans and their families. Visitors can reflect, pay tribute, create name etchings, and experience an important piece of American history right here in southwest Iowa.

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to honor veterans this Memorial Day weekend, we encourage you to come visit The Wall That Heals while it is here through the weekend.

📍 Lewis Central High School – Council Bluffs, Iowa
🇺🇸 Open to the public throughout Memorial Day weekend
🎙 Hosted by: Carlene Hall
🌾 Featured on: Mills County Routes & Still Serving Iowa Veterans

05/21/2026

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. Carlene and Donna share 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 conversation also dives into small-town leadership, supporting one another through life’s unexpected struggles, and the incredible spirit of the Malvern community. Plus, Donna shares a hilarious story from her visit to Offutt Air Force Base that perfectly captures her down-to-earth personality.

🎙 Hosted by: Carlene Hall
📍 Malvern, Iowa
🌾 Series: Mills County Routes

05/20/2026

In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall sits down with Mills County Supervisor candidate Sandi Winton to discuss leadership, property taxes, EMS services, economic growth, transparency, and the future of Mills County.

Sandi shares her background in community leadership, disaster response, budgeting, and rural development while discussing the challenges facing local government and small-town communities today.

Topics include:
• Property taxes and affordability
• EMS and rural public safety
• Economic development
• Government transparency
• Community involvement and growth

🎙 Hosted by: Carlene Hall
📍 Mills County, Iowa
🌾 Series: Mills County Routes

05/19/2026

In this episode of Mills County Routes, Carlene Hall sits down with Jamie Brinkman of Blind Ambitions at Vine Street Café and Bakery 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

Address

500 Willow Avenue Ste 308
Council Bluffs, IA
51503

Telephone

+17124351515

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