These are just two possible stories out of many that can be told throughout Cindy Kaufman’s Christmas village. The village is a collection of winter scenes located at the Family Quilt Shop, 1200 A. St. West.

She started her vast collection in 1980 with about 13 houses.

At that time she and her husband, Dwight, owned a farm supply business in Mallard.

“We would see people sitting in their cars looking at it,” Kaufman said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
This red building is a replica of Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan. It was purchased by Cindy Kaufman's sister, Sandy Mickelson, a longtime contributor at The Messenger. Mickelson, who passed away in 2016, gave it as a gift to her sister. Mickelson had spent three hours at the Bronner's Christmas Wonderland shop, Kaufman recalled.

In the following years, Kaufman continued to build her collection. She’s bought several pieces at retail stores. Several more have been given as gifts.

“This red one came from Sandy (Mickelson),” Kaufman said. “I get all sorts of things from all different people.”

Mickelson, who was the lifestyle editor and a longtime contributor to The Messenger, is Kaufman’s sister. Mickelson passed away in 2016.

The red building is a replica of Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland shop in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Mickelson once spent three hours there, Kaufman fondly recalled.

“That’s based on the original building of their big Christmas stuff,” Kaufman said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
From churches to Santa's workshop, there's no shortage of winter scenes that make up Cindy Kaufman's Christmas village. The collection can be viewed at Family Quilt Shop, 1200 A. St. W.

Another scene shows Boy Scouts hanging ornaments on a Christmas tree. That was a gift from Kaufman’s grandson.

“My grandson was in Boy Scouts,” Kaufman said. “He bought them and gave them to me to put in my scene. You can only get them if you are in Boy Scouts.”

Cindy Kaufman, a native of Vincent, has owned Family Quilt Shop for 16 years alongside her husband.

“It used to be a bean field,” Dwight Kaufman said.

She met her husband just across U.S. Highway 169 at Iowa Central Community College.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
This Boy Scouts scene was a given to Cindy Kaufman by her grandson.

“I graduated Iowa Central its first year over there,” Cindy Kaufman said. “Now I’m over here.”

One of the scenes in the village is dedicated to Dwight, who used to have a hot dog stand.

Rocks and trees are common throughout the village. In one case, rocks appear as snow capped mountains.

Each year, Cindy Kaufman adds items and changes the look of the village. That sometimes results in a bigger time commitment.

“This year it took me four and a half days to put up,” she said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
This Christmas scene depicts a hot dog stand similar to one Dwight Kaufman used to operate.

Cheryl Hurdel, of Fort Dodge, was visiting Family Quilt Shop on Wednesday.

She appreciates the detail in the village.

“Looking at the village with a child you can create a story,” Hurdel said. “Have kids make up their own story. That’s part of the magic — making your own story.”

Dwight Kaufman said visitors are welcome to see the display.

“We like to have people see it,” Dwight Kaufman said. “We just enjoy it and hope other people do, too. What amazes me is how she (Cindy) puts all of this together.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
"The Old Cronies Fishing Shack" is a popular scene within Cindy Kaufman's Christmas village.

The Family Quilt Shop is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Appointments to see the Christmas village can also be made outside of normal operating hours.