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!

Dates: July 6-10, 2026
Grades: 6th–12th
**LADIES! We suggest registering for this camp unless you are at the advanced level!
Duration: 1 Week
Capacity: Limited to 20 students
Skill Level: Beginner-focused – no experience needed

Get ready to spark your creativity and build something incredible from the ground up! Strobel Welding Camp: Beginner #2 is designed for students who are curious about welding and excited to learn new, hands-on skills in a fun and supportive environment.

This week-long camp is perfect for first-time welders and those with limited experience who want to explore metalworking, gain confidence, and discover potential career pathways in the skilled trades.

What You’ll Learn:
Campers will receive guided, beginner-friendly instruction in four essential welding processes:
•MIG (Metal Inert Gas)
•TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas)
•Stick (Shielded Metal Arc Welding)
•OA (Oxy-Acetylene)

With step-by-step instruction and hands-on practice, students will learn foundational techniques while creating their own welding projects.

Camp Experience:
•Welding Instruction Location: Central City High School Welding Shop (Central City, NE)
•Instructor: Alex Stocker, Agricultural Education Instructor
•Campers will train in a real welding shop, gaining practical experience in a safe, structured setting while building both individual and group projects.
•Participants will stay at The Leadership Center in Aurora, NE, where they’ll enjoy comfortable lodging, great meals, and fun evening activities (including fishing and swimming).
•Daily transportation to the welding shop and industry tours is included.

What’s Included:
•Daily hands-on welding instruction
•Lodging and meals at The Leadership Center
•Recreation and evening activities
•Transportation to all camp locations and tours
•Industry tours and guest speakers
•Personal welding gear to keep: helmet, gloves, and welding coat

Camp Highlights:
•Beginner-friendly instruction with no prior experience required
•Hands-on projects in a real shop environment
•Small group size (max 20 campers) for personalized support
•Introduction to welding careers and industry exposure
•A fun, engaging week of learning, building, and creating

Whether you’re trying welding for the first time or just getting started, this camp is your chance to learn valuable skills, make new friends, and discover what you can create with your own two hands.

Join us for a week of fire, fun, and fabrication—space is limited, so register early!

Additional Information
•If the camp fills, you may join the waitlist by emailing Abby@tlcaurora.org
•All campers are required to stay at The Leadership Center for the full duration of camp
•No refunds will be issued
•Tuition may be transferred to another camper for this year. Tuition may be deferred for one year only. All transfer or deferral requests must be completed by July 3, 2026

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.