AUGUSTA (AP) – A legislative expression of praise for a Down East company that’s been making mustard since 1900 was spiced up by an exchange between a senator who owns the business and a colleague with a taste for a sample.

The Senate posted kudos for Raye’s Mustard of Eastport, whose Down East Schooner style won a gold medal at the 2008 Worldwide Mustard Competition in Napa Valley, Calif.

Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Perry, fourth-generation proprietor of the family business, expressed surprise, saying that if he’d known he would have brought a jar for all 34 other senators. He also thanked the Senate for “spreading the word” about his company’s medal.

Sen. John Nutting, D-Leeds, quickly rose and said, “It’s not too late to bring a jar for everyone.”

AP-ES-04-14-08 1154EDT