The Calendar Family

Affectionately known as “The Calendar Family,” we are a Bahamian family business dedicated to preserving and celebrating the culture, history, beauty, and traditions of The Bahamas through The Bahamian Calendar.

As we celebrate 40 years of continuous publication (1987–2027), we reflect on a journey that began with a simple idea. Founder “Nick” Nicholas B.A. Maillis, a Bahamian fisherman, wanted a calendar that would help him track the relationship between moon phases and fish movement. He asked his talented wife, Fiona, to create one for him. Using a small children's watercolor set, Fiona designed a practical calendar featuring a map of The Bahamas, along with beautiful artwork and handwritten calligraphy.

Friends in the publishing industry encouraged them to expand the concept into a full twelve-month calendar. Although the first edition sold modestly, customer demand steadily grew. After taking a year off, Nick and Fiona returned with renewed determination, producing the 1989 edition and every annual edition since.

What began as a humble family project was blessed by God to grow into one of The Bahamas' most beloved heritage publications and a means of supporting a family with six children.

Filled with recipes, observed holidays, fishing tips, gardening information, seasonal produce guides, local events, stunning watercolor artwork, and Fiona’s signature calligraphy, The Bahamian Calendar has become a treasured fixture in homes throughout The Bahamas and around the world.

International Recognition

In 2025, at the Cascais World Food Summit, The Bahamian Calendar received international recognition when it was awarded First Place and named “Best in the World” by the 30th Gourmand Awards in the category:

FOOD Culture – B07 Illustrations Artist Calendars with Recipes 2025

This prestigious honor celebrates the exceptional artistry, cultural storytelling, and culinary heritage showcased throughout the calendar's pages.

Honouring the Next Generation

As part of our 40-year celebration, we remain committed to supporting Bahamian artistic talent. In 2025, we collaborated with emerging Bahamian watercolor artist Lauren Albury of The Island Canvas, commissioning and featuring three of her beautiful paintings in our 2027 publication.

By spotlighting the next generation of talented Bahamian artists, we honour both our past and our future.

A Family Legacy

Family has always been at the heart of everything we do. Over the years, all six of Nick and Fiona’s children have contributed to the calendar through artwork, photography, research, editing, proofreading, distribution, customer service, accounting, and preserving the unique character that readers have come to expect.

Today, daughter Nerissa Metcalf assists with business operations while continuing to develop her artistic talents and contribute original artwork that helps preserve the distinctive watercolor style synonymous with The Bahamian Calendar.

Daughter Oceanna Maillis shares her father's eye for photography and has contributed many beautiful images featured throughout the calendar over the years.

Son Luke “The Duke” Maillis, owner of Reel Addictive Charters, is an accomplished fisherman, freediver, and multiple record holder whose adventures reflect the spirit of Bahamian island life celebrated throughout the calendar.

Thaddeus “Hog-Man” Maillis, owner of Gardenscapes, continues to share his extensive botanical knowledge and passion for the natural world with The Calendar Family.

Eldest son Anthony Maillis has contributed his technical expertise, artistic skills, and business support over many years. Today, he operates Ambergris Bahamas, specializing in raw material procurement and export; while exploring the development of luxury natural perfumes.

We also remember our beloved son Captain Theron Maillis (1993 – 2012), whose adventurous spirit remains an important part of our family story.

Preserving Bahamian History

Nick’s passion extends far beyond the printed pages of the calendar. A self-taught Bahamian historian, researcher, and shipwreck explorer, he has spent decades exploring the waters of The Bahamas in search of clues to our maritime past.

Among his most notable discoveries was the Brig Baltic in 1992. The Baltic was a two-masted American merchant vessel travelling from New York to Galveston, Texas, carrying porcelain, china, foodstuffs, medical supplies, and other cargo when it was lost during the devastating hurricane of October 1, 1866, sinking off the coast of Eleuthera.

In 2026, Nick and The Bahamian Calendar were featured in the Spring edition of WRECKWATCH Magazine, founded by renowned maritime archaeologist and explorer Dr. Sean Kingsley. The feature reflects Nick's enduring passion for pirate history, a fascination that has been further fueled by his recent discovery of an ancestral connection to the infamous pirate William John Roberts, who received the King's Pardon from Governor Woodes Rogers in 1718.

This remarkable finding has deepened Nick's commitment to uncovering and sharing the stories that have shaped Bahamian history. Through his ongoing research and storytelling, he continues to explore the historical secrets that make The Bahamas so unique, helping to preserve these fascinating narratives and pass them on to future generations.

Looking Ahead

As we enter our fifth decade, we are excited to continue expanding our work through new projects, including original prints, recipe book collections, a coffee table book, and a long-planned book about Bahamian island life, history, and adventure, a collection of stories and experiences gathered through decades of personal exploration throughout the islands.

Many of our customers have become lifelong friends. They have watched our family grow, encouraged us through the years, and supported our work because of a shared love for The Bahamas and its heritage. Along the way, countless contributors, artists, researchers, photographers, and supporters have helped shape what The Bahamian Calendar has become.

Because of them, the meaning of “The Calendar Family” extends far beyond our own household.

Family is at the center of our life; it is the core of our business.

We ❤️ Family!

Meet the Family

Anthony Maillis
Website: www.ambergrisbahamas.com
Instagram: @ambergrisbahamas
Facebook: Ambergris Bahamas

Luke Maillis 
Website: www.charterfishingbahamas.com
Instagram: @lukemaillis
Facebook: Reel Addictive Charters

Thaddeus Maillis
Gardenscapes

Nerissa Metcalf 
Instagram: @bohemian_niche_242  

Oceanna Maillis 
Instagram: @exumacaysbahamas