The Sweetest Hill in Nassau: How Mortimer Candies Crafted a Century of Bahamian History

 

Mortimer Candies, East St. Nassau, Bahamas

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

The Sweetest Hill in Nassau: How Mortimer Candies Crafted a Century of Bahamian History

 

If there is a single scent that defines the childhood nostalgia of generations of Bahamians, it is the sweet, sharp aroma of boiling peppermint wafting from the top of East Street Hill in Nassau.

Since 1928, Mortimer Candies has stood as a living monument to Bahamian resilience, culinary tradition, and entrepreneurship. Operating for nearly a century, it is one of the oldest black-owned manufacturing businesses in the country. To visit Mortimer Candies is not just to buy a bag of sweets; it is to step directly into a time capsule of "Over-the-Hill" Nassau history.

BAIC: Taste & Tell Food Expo

 

BAIC: Taste & Tell Food Expo

 

Saturday, April 25th, 2026

1PM - 9PM

 

Western Esplanade

Bay St.

Nassau, Bahamas 

TOMORROW! - Ranfurly Homes for Children Easter Bake Sale

 

Ranfurly Homes for Children Easter Bake Sale

 

This Saturday at the Ranfurly Homes for Children located at 101 Mackey Street and at Lowe's Pharmacy in Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza

 

April:4th, 2026

12:00 PM-6:00 PM

 

Indulge in a variety of sweet favourites 

70th Annual National Family Island Regatta

 

70th Annual National Family Island Regatta

 

April 21st-25th, 2026

Georgetown, Exuma

Agri Expo 2026 is on the Horizon

 

Agri Expo 2026

Join us April 10th–12th, 2026 for The Bahamas’ Premier Agricultural Event, where agriculture, marine resources, culture, and innovation come together in one dynamic experience.

Visitors can look forward to hands-on backyard farming experiences, hydroponics and livestock masterclasses, marine discovery exhibits, agricultural talks and demonstrations, a marketplace featuring 100+ Bahamian artisans, live culinary showcases by local chefs, Junkanoo rushouts, school bands, and a fun-filled kiddie adventure zone for the entire family.

This is more than an expo; it’s a celebration of food security, innovation, and Bahamian talent.

Stay tuned for more updates via @moamrbahamas.

Ph: 242-427-3520 | 242-397-7400

Food • Farming • Fun

#AgriExpo2026 #HereWeGrow #MOAMRBahamas

Visit The Bahamas' Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources

Lily of the Valley Corner Association - Good Friday FISH FRY

 

Art in Bloom Returns to The Bahamas This Saturday

 

Art in Bloom Returns to The Bahamas This Saturday

The “Art in Bloom” festival is set to transform the lush grounds of the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve in Eleuthera, Bahamas, into a vibrant gallery of culture and color this Saturday, March 21. Originally known as “Art in the Park,” this annual spring fundraiser is hosted by The Bahamas National Trust and serves as a premier showcase for the island’s unique intersection of natural beauty and human creativity. Visitors can expect to wander through 25 acres of indigenous flora while discovering a diverse array of works from local painters, sculptors, and craftspeople.

7th Annual Long Island Mutton Festival

 

7th Annual Long Island Mutton Festival

 

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) proudly unveils the seventh annual Long Island Mutton Festival, two days of vibrant culture, Bahamian flavor and unforgettable community spirit. Set for 20–21 March 2026 at the iconic Salt Pond Cultural Site, this year’s festival promises an even bigger celebration of Long Island’s beloved mutton tradition. Read more>>

Integrated Land Management Grant Training

 

The Integrated Land Management Grant Training series continues in New Providence!

The Bahamas Development Bank invites farmers, entrepreneurs, and interested participants to attend the upcoming training session on March 11th at the Training Room, Department of Agriculture (Food Safety Lab Building) on Gladstone Road.

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about sustainable land management and gain valuable information on grant categories, how to apply for the ILM grant, future training opportunities, and monitoring & evaluation requirements.

Farmers Training: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
ILM Grant Training: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Department of Agriculture Training Room, Food Safety Lab Building, Gladstone Road

Register here: https://form.jotform.com/260622579051860

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain the knowledge and tools needed to access grant funding and strengthen sustainable agricultural practices.

Party for the Animals

 

Party for the Animals

 

Saturday, March 21st, 2026

7pm to 12 Midnight

BNT Retreat Gardens, Village Rd.

Tickets: $45 - Cash Bar: $7

 

In support of

The Bahamas Humane Society

 

 Featuring DJ Slick Vick

Catering by

Northside Catering 

 

Tickets:

Fox Hill Nursery, Bernard Rd.

Or WhatsApp Amanda: 376-0364

 

ADULTS ONLY

242Day Celebration Meal

 

242Day Celebration Meal - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Pan fried bread, fried Snapper, chunky conch chowder.

 

 

 242Day Guava duff - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

#242Day #CelebrateBahamas 

Culture at the Cay

 

Get ready for Culture at the Cay!

The Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture invites the public to Arawak Cay, Nassau, on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 12PM to 10PM for a full day of Bahamian music, art, food and family fun.

Enjoy exciting activities including breadmaking and pizza making, live painting by Preston Hanna, the All Bahamian Book Fair, costume and decorating competitions, Bahamian Flix, game time, a national dance showcase, and so much more!

Bring the entire family and come experience the vibrant spirit of our culture by the sea.
 

Don’t miss it!

Totin'

 

I bin totin' on Christmas day. 😊

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

Related article: A Look at Bahamian Cuisine

MaCaBrLi Family Christmas Dinner 2025

 

 

 

MaCaBrLi Family Christmas Dinner 2025

 

Shot and edited by ©A. Derek Catalano.

Camera: Samsung Galaxy S9+

Software: VideoPad Editor

Free MIDI music

Cat Island Flour Cakes

 Cat Island Flour Cakes - ©A. Derek Catalano

 

My son Christopher Catalano brought me back some of those World Famous Cat Island Flour Cakes from his visit to Cat Island. Never had them before. So delicious. The perfect blend of flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.  😊

Derek 

Related article: An In-Depth Look at Bahamian Cuisine

Related poem: Grits in da Mornin'

St. Saviour's Parish: Grill Out/Raffle Drawing

 St. Saviour's Parish: Grill Out/Raffle Drawing

 

28th November 2025

Arthur's Town Community Park

Cat Island, Bahamas

3PM Until

 

Come and chill with us. 

Trinity Methodist Church Annual Fall Festival

 Fall fun is coming to Downtown Nassau!

Join us at Trinity Methodist Church for our annual Fall Festival on Saturday, November 29th from 11am–5pm, Frederick St. downtown Nassau, as we raise money to support our outreach ministries.

We’ll have delicious dinners, conch fritters, delicious desserts, Bahamian crafts, books, plants, a Kids Corner & so much more!

Bring the whole family! We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

 

Ph: 322-6679 or email: trinitymethodistbahamas@gmail.com for more info.

 

Bahamian Native Dishes by Tracy Catalano

 ©A. Derek Catalano

The Culinary Jewel of the Caribbean: An In-Depth Look at Bahamian Cuisine

The Bahamas, an archipelago famed for its blinding white sands and impossibly clear turquoise waters, offers more than just postcard-perfect scenery—it offers a vibrant, comforting, and unforgettable culinary experience. Far from the generic "tropical" fare, Bahamian cuisine is a distinct cultural expression, blending African, European, and Caribbean influences into a tapestry of unique flavors.

This isn't just vacation food; it’s a lifestyle steeped in the ocean’s bounty, powered by rich, earthy starches, and punctuated by tropical fruit. To truly experience The Bahamas is to dive fork-first into its culinary soul.

Lily of the Valley Corner Association SOUSE-OUT 2025

  

The Lily of the Valley Corner Association held an All Day Souse-Out at #29 Cheryl's Place, Lily of the Valley Corner, Nassau Bahamas on Oct. 13, 2025, National Heroes Day in The Bahamas.

 

Visit the Lily of the Valley Corner Association on Facebook.

 

Shot and edited by ©A. Derek Catalano.

Camera: Samsung Galaxy S9+

Software: VideoPad Editor

 

 "Tropic Fish Farm" - Bahamas AI Art

 ©A. Derek Catalano

 

 

Fish Farming in The Bahamas: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

 

Introduction and Definition of Fish Farming

Fish farming, also known as aquaculture, is the controlled cultivation of fish in tanks, ponds, cages, or enclosures for commercial or subsistence purposes. Unlike traditional fishing, which depends on wild fish stocks, aquaculture creates a sustainable and predictable source of seafood. Globally, aquaculture now accounts for more than half of the fish consumed by humans, playing a vital role in food security, employment, and economic growth. In The Bahamas—an island nation surrounded by rich marine resources—fish farming presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While wild fisheries have historically sustained local communities, rising demand for seafood, overfishing pressures, and the need for economic diversification have made aquaculture a strategic industry worth exploring in depth.