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.

Welding Camp: A Hands-On Experience in Metalwork
Duration: 4 days
Capacity: Limited to 20 participants
Skill Level: All levels welcome – from pre-service teachers to experienced educators.
Tuition: $400.00

Join us for a four-day immersive welding camp designed specifically for teachers and pre-service educators. Strengthen your skills across all major welding processes, gain insight into welding shop management, and develop ready-to-use curriculum and projects you can immediately implement in your classroom.

Participants will receive hands-on instruction in:
•MIG (Metal Inert Gas)
•TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas)
•Stick (Shielded Metal Arc Welding)
•Oxy-Acetylene (OA)

Held at the Central City High School Welding Shop (Central City, NE) and led by Alex Stocker, this camp helps you build confidence, refine skills, and grow your professional network.

Participants will complete required welds and practice teaching and demonstrating each process for classroom use.

Evenings focus on collaboration, including:
•Sharing best practices
•Discussing shop management
•Building curriculum and projects to take back and use immediately

Dr. Stacie Turnbull will be available for mentoring throughout the camp and meals. On Wednesday evening, enjoy dinner and conversation at Prairie Creek Winery.

Camp Fee Includes
•Daily welding instruction (MIG, TIG, Stick, OA)
•Breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day
•Tuesday dinner at Espressions: Coffee & Community
•Wednesday dinner at Prairie Creek Winery*
•Thursday dinner at Pueblo Viejo*
•Industry tours and guest speakers
•Personal welding gear to keep (helmet, gloves, welding coat)
•Transportation to Tours

Lodging & Transportation:
•A room block is available at The Leadership Center, with additional lodging options in Central City, Aurora, and nearby Airbnbs.
•TLC Lodging prices: Shared Rooms- $150.00 per person for a 3 night stay (Room has 2 beds/private bath). // Single Room: $330.00 per person for a 3 night stay.
•Participants are responsible for transportation to the shop anddinners. Carpooling encouraged.

Highlights:
•Hands-on, real shop experience
•All skill levels welcome
•Limited to 20 participants
•Strong focus on classroom-ready skills and curriculum

* Meals included; alcohol not covered.
** Waitlist available: Abby@tlcaurora.org
*** No refunds. Transfers (this year) or one-year deferrals allowed if requested by May 15, 2026.
****If you selected the "Pay Later" option, your camp spot is not reserved until your payment is received. If it is not received within 10 days of registration, your spot will be re-opened up. Checks can be made to "The Leadership Center, 2211 Q Street, Aurora, NE 68818" Please call with any questions. Our W-9 is on a link at the bottom of this page.

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.

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!

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.

Coffee and Crafts is a time for you to sip a cup of joe (or tea, or anything!) whle workign on a craft among crafters. You'll find people doing crochet, diamond art, painting, drawing, making cards and jewelry, etc. It's wonderful. Come and go as you please.

We hold Coffee & Crafts the 2nd & 4th Thursday's of the month. Come and join us!

"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!