Rain dampens, but doesn’t squelch event

Rain may have dampened the event but didn’t drown spirits as several dozen people turned up Saturday afternoon at a benefit for a Granby man.

After one band pulled out, several others stepped in to perform at “Spike’s Battle of the Bands,” a benefit for Vincent “Spike” Mikeska, who is undergoing a battle of his own: a fight with cancer.

Mikeska, 50, was at Saturday’s event briefly, said Tom Stith, a co-worker at Joplin’s Rock-Tenn Co. The event was held at Neosho’s West 60 Cycle.

“We had a trophy donated by Ozark Athletic Supply with an Oscar on top for the battle of the bands contest,” Stith said. “We got to looking at the trophy and saw the word ‘battle.’ Since Spike is battling cancer, we thought it would only be fair to award him the trophy.”

Mikeska was diagnosed in early May with brain cancer. Several days later, a tornado which ripped through Newton County destroyed his home and car, and left he and his wife, Toni, hospitalized: Vincent with a broken back and other injuries, and Toni with critical injuries, including trauma to her head. Family members say she has just been released from the hospital, but will likely face months of therapy. Meanwhile, radiation treatment for Vincent Mikeska was delayed because of the extent of his injuries.

But the cloud which destroyed their home and car and left the couple injured had a bit of a silver lining. Although the Mikeska’s 20-year-old son, Will, was inside taking a shower when the twister hit, he was unhurt.

But in checking the extent of Vincent Mikeska’s tornado injuries, doctor’s found lung cancer, while cancer cells had also spread to his spine.

One of the band’s on the event’s bill, Knudist Knights, pulled out because of the rainstorm Saturday morning, which at times blew rain horizontally and nearly blew down a large tent. The event also lost its public address system, as the provider feared his equipment would be ruined by water.

“It was rented stuff, so I don’t blame him a bit,” said Stith.

Then the band City Limits showed up with their PA gear and played their set as planned, Stith said. Meanwhile, the members of Rockin’ Rodeo — a country and classic rock band which includes Pineville Mayor Dwayne Lasiter among its roster — called. Apprised of the situation, the band — who were to play last on Saturday’s bill, at 9 p.m. — said they would arrive a little early with their PA gear. By 4 p.m., Rockin’ Rodeo had set up their amplifiers and soundboard, and a newly-formed local band, Pretty Empire, was doing a sound check before taking the stage.

Another local band, Iris, decided to hang out at the event, although they were down a bass player, Stith said. Stith said Iris was trying to convince their bass player to attend, while its drummer stepped forward to help run the sound system.

Mikeska was also presented with several checks while at the event, including one for $1,500 from Racine Christian Church, and two $500 donations. Smaller checks were given to family members to pass along to Mikeska.

Other events included a 50/50 pot, a silent auction for a number of donated prizes. Many area companies provided food for the event, with Tyson Foods providing nearly 200 pounds of chicken as well as a giant smoker to use.

“We even had someone slide in the mud for $16,” laughed Stith. “Of course, that was a kid.

Stith said he was awed by the generosity shown to the Vincent Mikeska family.

“I know generous people are everywhere, but this is larger than life,” he said. “You have a lot of people who were hurt by this tornado. A lot of property was destroyed, a lot of people were injured, a lot of people lost everything they had, some people lost their lives, but people still found the time and the money to come and do for others. That goes to show the generosity of Southwest Missouri people.”