Submitted photo An iconic local holiday sleigh decoration, which for many years was displayed in the window of McManus Gifts in downtown Elkins, can currently be seen at Elkins Inn & Suites.

ELKINS — An iconic local holiday sleigh decoration, which for many years was displayed in the window of McManus Gifts in downtown Elkins, can currently be seen at Elkins Inn & Suites.

“As Christmas rapidly approaches, area residents have been enthusiastically seeking to banish winter’s bleakness; in addition to trimming the traditional Christmas trees found in nearly every home and office, we proudly display our finest ornaments, lights, and other yuletide trimmings,” a press release states.

“Our homes and workplaces become canvases on which we express our wintry creativity each year. This is a time when nostalgia runs high; a beloved hand-me-down ornament can trigger a flood of emotions and memories.

“Local business are always delightfully decked out for the holidays, making a simple stroll through town a true feast for the eyes. Elkins Inn & Suites has always taken advantage of their large lobby and multitudinous windows when decorating for the holidays.

“This year’s window display holds a bit more nostalgia than usual for some local residents; the charming young lady in the sleigh, the horse who pulls her along, and the top-hatted young man who bows in her direction may evoke some Elkins memories; they were owned by Mary Jones many years ago and were prominently displayed in the window of McManus Gifts! It’s so nice to see them again,” the release states.

“The items used for the display were graciously and privately loaned by a person who wishes only to help spread and magnify the Christmas Spirit.

“One of the joys of living in a small town is the almost tangible Christmas Spirit that seems to fill the air when December arrives; family and friends renew their bonds and the world seems to feel like a more hopeful place.”

In the past, Elkins Inn & Suites has offered many memorable holiday decorations, including a benefit for the Randolph County Humane Society that garnered donations of pet food, goods and money as a tribute to the memory of a beloved cat.

The Elkins Inn & Suites staff collected the donations in the days leading up to Christmas 2018. The project was a memorial to TJ, who was the “resident cat” at the Iron Road Inn, the sister hotel to Elkins Inn & Suites.

The staffs of the two hotels posted a letter to inform customers and visitors about the project.

“We were inspired by the recent loss of our sister hotel’s resident cat, TJ,” the letter stated. “Having previously lived a hard-scrabble life, this tenacious tabby was happy to have found his forever family. Despite his advanced years and health troubles, TJ was a model of strength, courage and gratitude.

“With that in mind, we’ve decided to honor his memory by collecting donations for the area’s less fortunate animals. The Randolph County Humane Society relies on donations and community volunteers to continue the important work of sheltering abandoned and unwanted cats and dogs.”The letter asked for donations of “cat and dog food and treats; rawhide chews; cat and dog toys; pet beds; cat litter; flea control leashes and collars; copy paper, pens, paper clips and clipboards; trash bags; blankets and towels; rugs; and cleaning supplies.”

The donated items were displayed in the Elkins Inn & Suites lobby.