Leno Page 2
The Continuing Saga of Mr. Leno Prestini as seen through the eyes of those few remaining friends and aquaintances.
Lyle Holcomb, son of rodeo clown Elmer and nephew of Homer Holcomb resided at the Ramble In Tavern during the Leno Prestini era. Lyle's folks owned the tavern in the 1940's and 1950's. Lyle has many Leno stories to tell. Center is retired Col. Richard Casberg. He is the grandson of E.C. Casberg, possibly the family living longest nonstop in the Clayton area. On the right is Duane Costa. The entire Prestini, Costa families were the closest of friends. Duane has a vast knowledge of his friend Leno Prestini.
This Prestini gold pan painting is owned by Lyle and Darlene Holcomb.
Elmer Holcomb playing with fire.
This Brahma bull is in the act of putting Elmer Holcomb in the hospital with rib and back injuries. Slim Pickens, who went on to be a movie star in such movies as "Dr. Strangelove," is in the background.
Leno, home on leave with his two little buddies, Cousins of Duane Costa and his twin Sister Teresa. The following sequence of photos were garnered from the Colville Historical Society for which our Society is deeply grateful.
This is Leno Prestini with the Son of his best friend Burton, Chuck Stewart. The two are exploring Garner Caves near the Z Canyon and Boundry Dam vacinity. This picture is from the Stevens County Historical Society in Colville.
Dapper Mr. Prestini himself with his loving mother, Catrina. The affectionate care of Mrs. Prestini fell mostly on Leno and the Costa family shoulders as Batistta, older brother, resided in California, employed by Lockeed Aircraft.
It's been said that of all the interests that life handed this man, one that stands very near the top was horse back riding out on lonely trails. This wraps up the photos from the Stevens County Historical Society. We at CDPHS salute you and Thank you.
John Green, some say was Leno's favorite horse. Here he is shown with Carl Lindh. It has been said that Carl had plenty of pasture and cared for the horse. Carl’s nephew and niece Ron and Rainy Zimmerer were in need of another horse. Carl loaned them John Green. With them being in 4-H they became competitive at gymkhana, especially racing, recue racing, hide racing, and pole bending. Whenever Leno showed up at these events, he quietly kept in the background and cheered the horse on. However at the 1957 Tri County Fair in Deer Park they had some sand lot horse races on the program, so Ron entered John Green in the quarter mile race. At that time Bill Agar and Don Reiter were the odds on favorites. Why they even had regular racing saddles, where Ron (not owning a race saddle) rode bareback. Bill and Don got the jump at the start and soon had John Green boxed in on the rail. Ron pulled John Green up and went around on the outside. John Green and Ron won going away.
As near as can be told, Clarence Glassbrenner single handedly preserved the the photo memories of Leno's Art Studio. Here is another rare picture. Every thing Leno touched was done with articulate care.
Scotty stands at his neat little Service station at the east end of Clayton. In the right background is the Home of John Costa. Leno Prestinis home and Gallery were directly behind Scotty's
Another view of his Studio. Please go to Dedicated to Restoration for a little surprise
A 1957 Memorial by Leno Prestini for John Lloyd at the DPSD Administration Offices.
Leno and Buddy Burton in their younger years. Prepared for a diving expedition in the vast unknown.
Leno rests beside his Mother and father following a very exciting and astoundingly productive life. As final as this appears, rest assured that Leno's life is being resurrected by a group of professional artists, historians and painting collections will culminate in one gigantic display in the summer of 2010. Please stay tuned to this Website as we intend to keep you informed as soon as permissible information is released under "THE PRESTINI PROJECT"
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Bruno Costa presenting a Leno Prestini original to the Clayton Deer Park Historical Society.
A Prestini painting of clown Elmer Holcomb in his rodeo days. Thanks to Lyle Holcomb for allowing us to show a picture of it on our web site.
Homer Holcomb and friend enjoying a lull during a rodeo. Leno painted an action shot of Elmer's brother Homer, also a rodeo clown. The Homer Holcomb painting is owned by the Stevens County Historical Society.
Elmer can't help clowning, even if he is at his Ramble In Tavern, not in the rodeo areana! Elmer is the subject of the Prestini painting above.
Leno and friend on a ski lift at Mt. Spokane.
Burton Stewart ready to hit the slopes.
Leno with friends and Mae Prestini (right), Battista's wife, at the Old Settlers' Picnic.
Leno owned this beautiful race horse named John Green. He's receiving a hug from Carl Lindh. Or is Carl getting the Hug?
Burton Stewart reaches the Apex. It sure is a long ways down to those Railroad tracks
Leno on one of his deep diving expeditions
Ron Zimmerer and his sister Rainy Nord are pictured. Ron perhaps was the very last person who talked to Leno because that night Leno took his own life.
He even built one of a kind fences.
This is a two part Memorial Honoring a fellow Soldier Educator and Friend
Ron Zimmerer was a close friend to Leno and Rainy Nords Brother. There were a number of people involved in this little escapade
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