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!

Calling all book lovers! Join us this June for a cozy, joy-filled Women's Book Reading Retreat at The Leadership Center (2211 Q Street, Aurora, NE) — a weekend designed for readers who love to slow down, sink into a good book, and connect with fellow bookish souls.

Throughout the retreat you'll enjoy:

📖 Cozy reading spaces perfect for getting lost in a great story
🛍️ A Book Fair featuring some of our favorite independent bookstores
🎨 Creative, book-inspired crafting sessions
🍽️ Delicious meals shared with lively conversation and new friends
☕ Quiet reading times to fully immerse yourself in your current read
🏊 Swimming and sauna access for relaxation
🌿 Time to read outdoors on our beautiful grounds
🛒 A little shopping for bookish treasures

Each attendee will also receive an amazing gift bag valued at over $125, filled with some of our favorite bookish items and special treats to make your weekend even more enjoyable.

We’ll offer multiple pricing options, including rates for those who would like to share a room or enjoy a private room. A commuter rate will also be available for those who prefer to travel back and forth. That said, we hope you'll choose to stay with us, make wonderful new friends, and fully enjoy a relaxing weekend immersed in reading.

Meet Your Hosts: Maile Ilac Boeder, Devin Johansen, and Lisa Montoya — lifelong readers who love taking trips together that include good coffee, great food, and all kinds of bookstores. We’re excited to bring that same bookish joy to this special weekend retreat.

✨ Space is limited, so be sure to register early to reserve your spot before the retreat fills up!

Come unwind, read, craft, laugh, and recharge in a lovely book-filled haven. We can't wait to read with you!

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!

We are so excited to welcome the IA/NE Quilting Friends Retreat to The Leadership Center. Your retreat will take place in the Lakeside room. During your stay, you will be staying in either Keiwit or Ted Ward Lodge (you chose) and enjoying your meals in Mather Hall. The beverage station will be available to you during your entire stay as well. Also, we have a pool, dry sauna and beautiful grounds to enjoy when you think you need a break from stitching. Knowing that some of you are traveling from a distance, though the retreat does conclude on Saturday evening, you are welcome to rent your lodge room until Sunday.

We are looking forward to seeing you all!

PS: Registration closes on June 4, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Should you have questions, need assistance, or need to cancel, please call 402-694-3934. Cancelations will be accepted for a full refund up to May 1st, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.

PSS: If you come in Wednesday, rooms will not be availabe to check in to until 4 p.m. and your quilting room will not be available until Thursday morning. Thank you.

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!

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!

Scribbles with Ella is a fun, creative event held on the second Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. This free experience combines a guided drawing lesson with a hands-on craft, making it an engaging activity for children and adults alike.

Led by Espressions volunteer Ella Montoya, this session is designed to be relaxed and encouraging. No prior drawing experience is needed—Ella will guide participants step by step, making creativity accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

This event is especially popular with kids, but all ages are welcome. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly activity, a creative outlet, or a chance to try something new, Scribbles with Ella offers creative fun for all.

✨ All supplies are provided
✨ Free and open to the public
✨This month's doodle and craft will feature

Come scribble, create, and enjoy a morning of imagination and creativity together.