We're so excited to have kicked off our second year of hosting the Worldwide Reading Challenge. Will you join us in meeting our goal of reading 2,026 books in 2026? It's pretty simple!

HOW DO YOU JOIN THE CHALLENGE?
1) Read (or listen to) a book.
2)Submit it online or tell our barista's about it (and they will help submit it)!
3) Get your special bookmark if you are in the Aurora area!
****If you aren't from around here, don't worry, you'll learn how to at least get a really cool sticker when you log your first book!

Learn more about this awesome challenge, check out all the links below, stop in at Espressions: Coffee & Community or email us!

PS: If you are far away and you email your info (info@tlcaurora.org) and your Good Reads list to us, we are happy to enter your books for you! We just want celebrate reading as a community!

MAPS — Management + Assessment + Planning = Success — is all about your team.

This one-day intensive is designed to complement your COLT experience, giving your FFA team dedicated time to connect, reflect, and plan with purpose. You'll dig into communication, goal-setting, event planning, and team bonding — leaving with a clearer vision for the year ahead and a shared commitment to making it happen.

Mini-MAPS takes place the day before or after your scheduled COLT session, running from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Espressions: Coffee & Connection in Aurora. Expect a full and engaging day — this is not a passive experience. Your team will move through a rigorous schedule built to challenge you and bring you closer together.

Not an FFA team? Mini-MAPS is also open to any youth team or group looking for a meaningful one-day team building experience. Whether you're a student council, athletic team, club, or other youth organization, if you're ready to invest in your team, you're welcome here.

Your registration includes light morning pastries, lunch, and beverages. Our coffee shop will be open throughout the day.

Mini-MAPS Fees:
•Team Registration (capped at 10 people including advisor/coach): $450.00
•••Additional members (beyond 10): $40.00 per person
•Meal, beverages & snacks: $22.00 per person

We look forward to working with your team to chart your year's success!

*$125.00 of your registration fee is non-refundable. No refunds will be issued within 10 days of the event. Registration closes 10 days before your session.
**Lodging is not included. Please arrange lodging when you make your COLT lodging reservations.
***For those using the "Pay Later" fee, there is a link for our W-9 which your business office will need. Payment can be made to "The Leadership Center" and mailed to 2211 Q Street, Aurora, NE 68818. Your registration will be confirmed once payment is recieved.

MAPS — Management + Assessment + Planning = Success — is all about your team.

This one-day intensive is designed to complement your COLT experience, giving your FFA team dedicated time to connect, reflect, and plan with purpose. You'll dig into communication, goal-setting, event planning, and team bonding — leaving with a clearer vision for the year ahead and a shared commitment to making it happen.

Mini-MAPS takes place the day before or after your scheduled COLT session, running from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Espressions: Coffee & Connection in Aurora. Expect a full and engaging day — this is not a passive experience. Your team will move through a rigorous schedule built to challenge you and bring you closer together.

Not an FFA team? Mini-MAPS is also open to any youth team or group looking for a meaningful one-day team building experience. Whether you're a student council, athletic team, club, or other youth organization, if you're ready to invest in your team, you're welcome here.

Your registration includes light morning pastries, lunch, and beverages. Our coffee shop will be open throughout the day.

Mini-MAPS Fees:
•Team Registration (capped at 10 people including advisor/coach): $450.00
•••Additional members (beyond 10): $40.00 per person
•Meal, beverages & snacks: $22.00 per person

We look forward to working with your team to chart your year's success!

*$125.00 of your registration fee is non-refundable. No refunds will be issued within 10 days of the event. Registration closes 10 days before your session.
**Lodging is not included. Please arrange lodging when you make your COLT lodging reservations.
***For those using the "Pay Later" fee, there is a link for our W-9 which your business office will need. Payment can be made to "The Leadership Center" and mailed to 2211 Q Street, Aurora, NE 68818. Your registration will be confirmed once payment is recieved.

✍️ Writers’ Coffee Hour at Espressions ☕

Love words? So do we. The first and third Thursday of the month, we host open writing!

Join fellow writers from the community for a relaxed, come-as-you-are writing session at Espressions: Coffee & Community. Whether you're working on a novel, a blog post, a school paper, or just journaling for fun — you're welcome here.

This is a casual time to write in good company. Bring your current project or start something new. No pressure, no readings, just a supportive space to write alongside others who get it.

📝 All writers welcome — any age, any genre, any experience level.

Come grab a coffee, find a cozy seat, and let’s get some words on the page together.
We can’t wait to see you there!

"Cain's Jawbone" is a murder mystery puzzle written by "Torquemada"-Edward Powys Mathers. The puzzle was first published in 1934 as part of The Torquemada Puzzle Book. In 2019, crowdfunding publisher Unbound published a new stand-alone edition of the puzzle in collaboration with the charity The Laurence Sterne Trust.

Cain's Jawbone has been described as "one of the hardest and most beguiling word puzzles ever published. This club started this summer and has continuted on! So each Friday evening, we're hosting "Friday Night Murder Club" at Espressions. You'll find our 'crime board' as a part of the Potter Common Rooms in the back! Join us for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat as we move the pages around in this great mystery looking for the solution. Come when you can or come each Friday! We'll see you there.

It is not nessary, but if you'd like to get a copy of "Cain's Jawbone", we have a link below.

We are going on a board game adventure! Come and play a new game or bring an old favorite! Bring your friends and family too!

This event allows us to provide a space for our community to gather, connect, and enjoy some fun over coffee.

We hope you'll join us!

Join us for the Creatives Book Club, a welcoming space for artists, writers, makers, and anyone interested in exploring creativity through books and conversation. Each month we’ll read a book focused on creativity, artistic practice, and the creative journey, followed by relaxed discussion and a simple creative exercise.

Led by Maile, this group is designed to encourage connection, inspiration, and growth—no matter where you are in your creative journey.

📅 In-Person Meetings
2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month
⏰ 9:30 a.m.
📍 Espressions: Coffee & Community
1117 M Street, Aurora, NE

💻 Optional Zoom Discussion
4th Wednesday of each month
⏰ 7:00 p.m. CT

Our first book is Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon.

No need to commit to the full year—join us whenever you can! Whether you’ve finished the reading or not, you’re welcome to come, listen, share, and be inspired.

Visit our blog or events page for the full reading list and additional details.

We hope you’ll join us as we explore creativity together!

Look at the Links below. You will find the book list, the community standards, the 4th Wednesday link and more!