Painting Description

Swimming in the farm pond or river is one of the few allowed recreations for Mennonite boys. This pond is kitted out with a diving board and pontoon raft.

After a day spent in the hot sun making hay or forking sheaves, farm ponds like this one near Conestogo present a welcome cooling place. It is also a way to get clean after very dirty jobs. It should be noted that ponds like this serve a firefighting role.

After spending almost 50 years in Mennonite country, I have only once seen girls swimming in what could be best described as Victorian bathing dresses.