We may be very different from people in Turkey, but apparently, we both think coffee cups make great gifts.

This summer, when PhD candidate Farhod Yuldashev, a student at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, brought in a delegation of four high-ranking Turkish officials to meet with Mt. Lebanon staff and learn about our town, the two groups naturally exchanged gifts.

In addition to magazines and books, Mt. Lebanon gave them each one of our signature coffee mugs. In exchange, the Turkish officials gave exquisite Turkish coffee mugs and coffee.

During the morning meeting, Yuldashev translated for the group, who asked about everything from how we are governed to how our officials are elected to why we do not start our own government-run for-profit corporation. They also watched the 10-minute film on Mt. Lebanon created several years ago, for an overview of amenities residents have.

Municipal manager Steve Feller explained the theories behind our Home Rule Charter and the council-manager form of government. Commercial Districts Manager Eric Milliron, Municipal Planner Keith McGill and Chief Inspector Joe Berkley also answered questions.