To help celebrate the 100th birthday of lifelong Tampa resident, Ms. Lydia Mones, the Tampa Bay Rays teamed up with Mayor Jane Castor for a special centennial surprise.
Ms. Lydia Mones is an active member of Tampa Parks & Rec adult programs, attending the Loretta Ingraham Pool Aqua Exercise Class each week. To honor this inspiring resident, Tampa Parks & Rec organized a small and outdoor birthday surprise. Family, friends, and Mayor Castor joined the celebration last Wednesday, October 21, as Ms. Lydia turned 100 years old. While there, her family invited Mayor Castor to join them for a birthday lunch at the Columbia Restaurant on Sunday for a more intimate celebration. They also mentioned Lydia’s love of baseball as a big supporter of the Tampa Bay Ray’s.
“Lydia is a passionate and longstanding Rays fan. She never misses a game and is certain her team will win the World Series! The one gift she requested for her 100th birthday was a Rays jersey so she could watch in style. The Rays were delighted to provide her jersey and I was honored to be a small part of making her wish come true,” says Mayor Jane Castor.
To help recognize one of their biggest fans, the Tampa Bay Rays prepared an honorary jersey for Ms. Mones with her name on it. The number? A commendable 100 of course.
Mayor Castor surprised Lydia at the Columbia Restaurant on Sunday to celebrate with family and friends and to present her with her very own Tampa Bay Rays jersey. Rays up!
Visit www.tampagov.net/pao and select for ”20201025_Lydia Mones 100th Birthday Party at Columbia Restaurant” for B-roll of Mayor Jane Castor and Ms. Lydia Mones at The Columbia restaurant.