Museum association makes annual rent payment in strawberries

The Associated Press

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. -- Talk about a sweet deal.

For more than two decades, the Mechanicsburg Museum Association has paid its rent in strawberries -- four of them.

On Tuesday, museum association member Joan Quick brought four plump red berries in a plastic bag to borough council.

The payment is for rent on a building that was constructed in the 1860s by the Cumberland Valley Railroad Co. for the town's stationmaster. The borough owns the house, located on Strawberry Alley, but the association provides upkeep and has restored the home to its 19th century appearance.

A committee created to save the house from demolition in the mid-1970s came up with idea as a way to symbolize a spirit of cooperation.

This year, council members also got a basket filled with homemade shortcakes. In the past, the association gave the council strawberry jam, chocolate covered strawberries and strawberry bread.