As we kick off our Best of the Bungalows series, we're getting to know the participating communities that make bungalow summers so special. Before the fun begins, we asked each participating bungalow colony a few fun questions so you can meet the people, personalities, and traditions that make every colony unique.

Let's dive in!

What is the name of your bungalow colony?

Pine Knoll Estates

How long has your colony been around?

It was built in 1953 originally, but it was incorporated as a coop in 1982. The original crowd were Holocaust survivors who mostly lived in Florida all year and would move upstate from June 1 to October 1.

What's a fun fact about your colony?

We had a famous basketball player (Ryan Terrel) do hagbah last Shabbos. His Holocaust survivor grandmother was standing on her tiptoes at the mechitzah radiating with nachas! Yes! He also shot hoops with some of the boys before Shabbos.

Where is the crowd from?

We are a large mix of families from Brooklyn, Lower East Side, Far Rockaway, and various out-of-town communities even as far as Detroit.

How many units are there?

50.

How would you describe your colony to others?

We are a low-key, make-your-own-fun type of crowd. We have a Sunday morning baseball game where all boys are welcome and everyone is helped to succeed. The children have good old-fashioned fun like bonfires and late night machanayim. The adults enjoy paddle ball, pickleball, nightly Tehillim and Scrabble, and the main activity of the day is swimming!!! We are almost the last of the Mohicans of the old-fashioned bungalow experience.