Aidan Kallioinen

Aidan is a freelance journalist from Northeastern Ontario, and has contributed to publications such as Village Life, Canada Lutheran, and The Mid North Monitor. Aidan has a passion for local storytelling, community groups, and the people who shape them, with a particular passion for event coverage, lifestyle writing, faith, and profile stories. Aidan also serves as a municipal councillor in Espanola, Ontario, and a Vice-President of the Carleton University Students' Association, where he brings a deep commitment to amplifying community voices and highlighting the issues that matter most.

Recent Work

Mid North Monitor •

Annual Mud Run Highlights Success of Boogie Mountain Summer Programming

With grass-stained pants, wet shirts, and mud-filled shoes, dozens of participants took part in a test of sheer endurance at Boogie Mountain Ski Hill on Sunday, Sept. 14. Those who braced the five-kilometre run and obstacle course were awarded with a thick coating of northeastern Ontario’s finest brown gold.

Boogie Mountain’s “Mud Run”, held annually during September, is an event many look forward to in Espanola. The person who arguably looks forward to it the most is Tom Hutch...
Mid North Monitor •

Espanola Drug Overdose Awareness Day honours victims and families affected by drug crisis

In the midst of a crisis that touches thousands of families across Northern Ontario, dozens of community members, advocates and health professionals gathered at the Espanola Recreation Complex on Sunday, Aug. 31, to mark International Overdose Awareness Day.

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The day is a chance for residents to come together and address the unique challenges substance abuse and overdoses have on the rural, northern community.

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Linda Collins, a local advocate and mother, as well...
Village Life •

A look into five of Ontario’s most dangerous hiking trails

Ontario is well-known for its scenic backcountry views. The province’s abundance of untapped wilderness makes it a true hiker’s paradise. You never have to walk or drive far from your doorstep to find a postcard-worthy landscape or a stunning water feature.

But as many experienced hikers know, beauty can be deceiving. And no one knows that better than Lauren Yakichuk, who has spent more than a decade documenting her travels in Ontario and around the world.
Mid North Monitor •

Northern Ford event celebrates local NASCAR tribute car

A small event was held at the Northern Ford dealership to celebrate the car’s driver, Joey Logano, and his third cup championship victory in 2024. A ‘2024’ decal was applied to the hood of the vehicle around 11 a.m., alongside Logano’s other championship wins in 2018 and 2022.

For Parker, his family history with Ford dates back generations.

“My grandfather, Jim Parker, sold Model T’s way out in Hanna, Alberta in 1914,” Parker said. “I’ve always admired the mec...
Mid North Monitor •

Soccer wrap-up tourney showcases local talent

Despite what seemed to be a gloomy forecast, the weather was surprisingly pleasant, treating spectators and players to a wonderful day of soccer and celebration of a sport at the heart of many families in the community.

Minor Soccer’s wrap-up day games began at 9 a.m. and continued until 6 p.m., with the younger kids (under-four through under-eight) divisions playing in the morning and the under-11 and under-14 divisions playing in the afternoon. The event took...
Mid North Monitor •

How Canada Wins: Visiting Espanola this summer? Here are 10 things to know

Nestled near Sudbury’s doorstep, smack dab in the LaCloche Foothills of the North Shore lies Espanola. Our vibrant community, home to just more than 5,000 residents, is home to more than meets the eye. From having world-class recreation, vibrant local businesses and serving as an outdoorsman’s paradise, it’s no wonder the “Gateway to Manitoulin Island” is a must-stop for the many tourists that flock through northeastern Ontario.

1-Pack your hiking boots

Espanola’s location rig...
Mid North Monitor •

Espanola’s Canada Day celebrations full of family fun

There are few times in Espanola where the community lights up with activity and celebration more-so than July 1, with several organizations hosting family events, performances and games for all ages.

For their part, the Espanola Elks hosted their annual Canada Day festivities at their local hall. The events at the Elks ran from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and featured games such as fishing, golf, ring toss, target practice, dime toss and more.

Volunteers for the Elks we...
Mid North Monitor •

Canada Day Duck Race raises money for local search and rescue efforts

For residents of Espanola and the surrounding area, Canada Day is the one time of year they might see the Spanish River turn a familiar shade of bright yellow. Yellow, that is, from the thousands of rubber ducks that make their way from the Spanish River bridge to just past the local boat launch.

The annual Canada Day Duck Race, held at the Spanish River Boat Launch, is an event organized by North Shore Search and Rescue (NSSAR), a team of volunteers tasked with providing searc...
Soo Today •

Spotlight: Ontario’s best-kept summer secret? Why more people are escaping here in 2025

Nestled between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, Sault Ste. Marie is where the wild beauty of Northern Ontario meets unforgettable adventure.

From mountain biking and kayaking to fishing, scenic boat cruises, incredible train journeys, summer festivals, farmers markets, and top dining and accommodations, it’s no surprise that Sault Ste. Marie ranks among the best places to visit in Ontario.

Here’s a look at some of the amazing experiences waiting for you in the Sault this summer.

You’v...
Village Life •

“Elbows Up” in the garden? How some gardeners are prioritizing Canadian-made products this Spring

In backyards, balconies, and flower beds across Canada, gardeners are cultivating more than just vegetables. They’re cultivating pride in gardens that are truly Canadian.

That’s especially true of Maggie Wysocki, who runs an organic gardening blog called From Soil to Soul, and lives just outside of Winnipeg. She specializes in helping Zone 3 gardeners find winter-hearty flowers and vegetables that do well in Prairie climates.

“It started very much as a passion project back in 2016,” Wysocki said. “I’ve slowly grown the site since then alongside my skill-set.”
Village Life •

Making do with little: How to creatively garden in small spaces

We’re now into Spring, which means everyone first-time gardeners and seasoned horticulturists alike are getting ready for an exciting growing season.

Many of us love the idea of gardening, but have little space to work with for ourselves. Whether you’re in a 15-story condo or have a few square feet of yard, how do you cultivate a thriving garden with such little room to work with?

Mark Cullen is one of Canada’s premier gardening experts and the chair of the non-profit organization Trees for Life, dedicated to maximizing the urban tree canopy in Canadian cities.
Village Life •

This bridge in Ontario is a marvel of modern creativity and ancient techniques

If ever you’re in Perth, ON, it’s hard to miss the Tay River. This picturesque waterway twists and turns its way through the community’s historic downtown.

Nestled within a section of the river known as the old swimming hole––where the Tay River meets the Little Tay––lies a curious stone bridge, which upon closer inspection, is held up by nothing more than the weight of its own stones.
Mid North Monitor •

Espanola Elks host fundraiser dinner for new air conditioner

Houle estimates the new air conditioner will cost the Elks around $10,000.

“The main hall is already covered for air conditioning, but we’d be looking at getting a smaller one for the kitchen, similar to what’s attached to people’s homes.”

On Friday, April 11, Elks members and volunteers hosted a fundraising dinner at the hall to raise money for the new air conditioner. The dinner featured ham, scalloped potatoes, veggies, coleslaw, a bun, and dessert. The price for a plate wa...
Capital Current •

Battles in Ottawa Centre, Carleton highlight quest for local seats in federal vote - Capital Current

Campaigns are in full swing across the nation’s capital as federal election day — April 28 — is now just two weeks away.


The parties’ local machines are humming across Ottawa’s nine ridings meaning signs are in the ground, boots are on the pavement and faces are at the doorstep.


Some riding boundaries have been changed and a few ridings have been renamed. But essentially six Liberal incumbents are seeking re-election, including Jenna Sudds in Kanata, Marie-France Lalonde in Orléans, Yasir...
Capital Current •

Money museum aquires ancient Roman coin, other ‘once in a lifetime’ items - Capital Current

What do a 1,700 year old Roman coin and a Canadian penny worth thousands of dollars have in common? They’ve just been added to the collection of historical currency held by the Bank of Canada Museum in downtown Ottawa.


Some of the museum’s most significant artifact acquisitions in 2024 were recently highlighted in a curator’s blog post detailing the latest additions to a national collection of more than 130,000 historical coins, bank notes and other objects.


Among the items, according to D...
Capital Current •

Osgoode councillor Darouze takes Carleton riding for PCs amid low turnout - Capital Current

Longtime Ottawa city councillor George Darouze will now serve the residents of Carleton in a different capacity — this time, as their MPP.

Elected in 2014, Darouze was a three-term councillor for Osgoode Ward. Previously he was the president of the Osgoode Carleton Snowmobile Trail Club and a telecommunications manager. Darzouze became the Progressive Conservative party’s nominee in December following the removal of former MPP Goldie Ghamari from the PC caucus last year, with the party citing...
Mid North Monitor •

Espanola Pond Hockey wrap-up celebrates future local hockey stars

“It’s hockey for the sake of hockey,” said Paul Kallioinen, who’s been responsible for organizing the league for nearly a decade. “We want a chance for kids who don’t want to play minor hockey the chance to get some ice time.”

Pond Hockey runs weekly for one hour on Sundays at the Espanola Recreation Complex. It costs participants just $35 for a season that runs from October to March.

“It costs a few thousand dollars to run the program, and our sponsors help us keep the costs...
Capital Current •

Making ends 'meat:' How an Ottawa deli is managing rising costs - Capital Current

For Paolo Di Rienzo, slinging hearty sandwiches and homemade cannolis has been the name of the game for decades now.


Di Rienzo’s Deli and Grocery, on the corner of Beech Street and Champagne Avenue in Little Italy, has been a staple for many since 1973.


Despite being a fixture of the authentic eats in Ottawa for more than 50 years now, Di Rienzo’s, like many other shops in Ottawa, is facing a simple dilemma: the meat (and pretty much everything else), is a lot more expensive.


Capital Cu...
Mid North Monitor •

North Shore Search and Rescue hosts hike at Black Creek

“A lot of our work is done in the bush,” said Jeb Brown, North Shore Search and Rescue president. “This helps us make sure that all of us are capable, and gives them a great opportunity to know us, and ask us questions about search and rescue.”

Brown said Black Creek’s terrain makes it ideal for training exercises like these.

“Black Creek has great hiking trails. There’s some challenges in there, elevation and some good climbs, as opposed to a straight path. It’s not the Alps...
The Charlatan •

Opinion: Want to fix the housing crisis? Start by empowering first-time buyers - The Charlatan, Carleton's independent newspaper

As students, many of us feel like home ownership is little more than a pipe dream.

The current news cycle does a good job of reminding young prospective buyers of the hurdles they face on the path to home ownership. There’s no denying the cost-of-living crisis has dominated the conversation, and Canadians’ anxieties over general affordability remain high.

As it turns out, students aren’t the only ones with a pessimistic view of home ownership in today’s climate. Despite a recent rebound in home...
Canada Lutheran •

Faith and Activism: Tackling the Climate Crisis in the Season of Creation

Whether in the news cycle, our homes, or our congregations across Canada, we are gripped, heartbroken, and made listless by stories of the impending climate catastrophe and its impacts on the planet as a whole.

And there’s sound reason to be pessimistic: According to Statistics Canada, Canadians still rank as the second-highest greenhouse gas emitters per capita among the top ten emitting countries globally. Our lifestyles have made us victims to a crisis of our own creation that reverberates across the food chain, our own health, and our communities.
Mid North Monitor •

Fort Albany to Whitefish River: Running journey of Olympic trainee Greg Sutherland

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Originally from Fort Albany First Nation, Sutherland started running at a young age.

“As a kid, I was always running around back home at James Bay, and people would tell me: ‘Greg, you should run cross-country when you get to high school,’” he said.

“It was really funny how I started, because I was a Native boy, I didn’t know how to compete,” Sutherland said. “I remember my first race in high school, finishing second last, and just humiliating myself.”

After almost quitting,...
The Charlatan •

Commission report reveals ‘polycrisis’ of global inequities, organized violence - The Charlatan, Carleton's independent newspaper

Optimism and uncertainty faced panellists on the Lancet Commission as they unveiled their report on peaceful societies through health equity and gender equality on Sept. 7.
The Lancet’s report, authored in partnership with the Wilson Center, sought to examine how improving access to reliable healthcare and empowering those with marginalized gender identities can remedy state-based conflict and other forms of organized violence.
The Lancet is a weekly international medical journal that has garner...
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