PLATO Weekly Update

May 6, 2025

CURRICULUM

SUMMER COURSES
NEW! Registration for Summer Courses is now open! Most will begin the week of June 2 and vary in length from 3-10 weeks. With 14 courses to choose from, including in-person and virtual offerings, something is sure to please! Find the Summer Course Schedule on the Courses webpage and contact the course coordinator to register.

CURRIULUM SHOWCASE
The Curriculum and Diversity Awareness Committees are seeking coordinators for two possible new courses: Classic Films II and Criminal Justice – find descriptions of these potential courses in the Curriculum Showcase.

SPECIAL EVENTS

 THEATER TRIPS

NEW! The Church Basement Ladies in The Last (Potluck) Supper on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at The Fireside Dinner Theater in Fort Atkinson. "It is 1979, the day of the church’s Centennial Celebration, and past parishioners have gathered to share hotdishes, bars, and stories from the last 100 years. As the women work in the kitchen, shared memories burst into life through a series of flashbacks." PLATO is partnering with the Verona Senior Center and UW Retirement Association on this travel opportunity so pick-up locations are different from PLATO's usual trips. The registration deadline is Thursday, May 29. Learn more and register here.

 FIELD TRIPS

Celebrate the advent of summer with the Circus, Stage and Sips Tour on Thursday, June 19, 2025. This Sauk County adventure will include visits to three destinations: Circus World Museum, AL. Ringling Theatre, and Wollersheim Winery! Organized by PLATO, there will be three pick-up stops in Madison: East Towne Sears, Capital Lakes, and Oakwood Village University Woods. The registration deadline is Sunday, June 1, 2025. Learn more and register here.

REMINDER – East Troy Railroad & Yerkes Observatory Tour on Monday, May 12, 2025. Registrants may review event details here.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

THIS WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy conversation, coffee and breakfast snacks with fellow members on Friday, May 9 at 9:30-11:30am at Lakeside Street Coffee House. A prominent stairway leads to the lower level where our group meets. Guests are welcome, so feel free to bring a friend who may be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

Fourth Friday Coffee – May 23, 9:30-11:30am at Rotunda Café. Learn more and RSVP here.

First Friday Breakfast – June 6, 9:00-11:00 at Yola's Café (note the new summertime location). Learn more and RSVP here.

LECTURES
Peruse past recordings of PLATO Lectures on many interesting subjects offered by members and local, national and international speakers.

ELECTION FOR PLATO 2025-26 BOARD
Voting is underway and will close on Wednesday, May 7 at midnight

Read about the nominees by clicking on the Nominee Biographies link below and then cast your vote with the provided link. Note that you will need to login and there is a "forgot password" button if needed. The Nominating Committee thanks the members who agreed to be listed as nominees as well as those who have already voted!

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

View highlights from this past season on the The Agora Features webpage.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats for your spring viewing or listening pleasure, curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for May 6 – 19, 2025

Aileen Cole Stewart (c.1893 – c.1997) passed her nursing exams in Maryland during the same year that the United States entered World War I. Though the army was in desperate need for nurses, it wasn’t until the1918 influenza epidemic that African American nurses were assigned to active duty.

Visit the Social Justice page to read more about Aileen Cole Stewart and past DID YOU KNOW? Features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals and organizations you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

PLATO Weekly Update

April 29, 2025

MEMBER APPRECIATION ANNUAL MEETING

THIS WEEK! The deadline to register is this Friday, May 2. This lively social event features keynote speaker John Stofflet, Local Broadcast Legend and 26-time Emmy Winner who will share anecdotes and challenges from his career as a newscaster. Enjoy light refreshments, the annual PLATO business meeting, door prizes and more! This is a complimentary event and members may invite a guest. Find event and registration details here – including the list of door prizes!

CURRICULUM

SUMMER COURSES
NEXT WEEK! Registration for Summer Courses will open on Tuesday, May 6, and most will begin the week of June 2. Courses will vary in length ranging from 3-10 weeks with in-person and virtual offerings. With 12 courses to choose from, something is sure to please! Course Schedules are always announced here in the Tuesday Weekly Update and on the Courses webpage.

SPECIAL EVENTS

LECTURES

THIS WEEK! Join us to learn about the science and technology involved in coffee production! Dr. Juan Rodrigo Sanz Uribe from UW-Madison will present Espresso Yourself: The Science & Art of Coffee, on Thursday, May 1 from 1:30-3pm at Oakwood Village West's Nakoma/Westmoreland Room. Dr. Uribe will deliver his lecture virtually from the country of Colombia while participants gather in person to sample the wonderful flavors of Colombian coffee. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

Quench your curiosity with past recordings of PLATO Lectures on a variety of timely topics offered by members and local, national and international speakers.

 FIELD TRIPS

Celebrate the advent of summer with the Circus, Stage and Sips Tour on Thursday, June 19, 2025. This Sauk County adventure will include visits to three destinations: Circus World Museum, AL. Ringling Theatre, and Wollersheim Winery! Organized by PLATO, there will be three pick-up stops in Madison: East Towne Sears, Capital Lakes, and Oakwood Village University Woods. The registration deadline is Sunday, June 1, 2025. Learn more and register here.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

THIS WEEK! First Friday Breakfast Gathering at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road on Friday, May 2, from 9:00-11:00am. Enjoy good food and conversation with fellow PLATO members. Learn more and RSVP here.

NEXT WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy conversation, coffee and breakfast snacks with fellow members on Friday, May 9 at 9:30-11:30am at Lakeside Street Coffee House. A prominent stairway leads to the lower level where our group meets. Guests are welcome, so feel free to bring a friend who may be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

NATURE WALK

REMINDER – Nature Walk at Oakwood West on May 5 at 10am followed by a social hour with lemonade and cookies in the Oaks Community Room. This event is full – find event details here.

ELECTION FOR PLATO 2025-26 BOARD
Voting is underway and will close on May 7 at midnight

Read about the nominees by clicking on the Nominee Biographies link below and then cast your vote with the provided link. Note that you will need to login and there is a "forgot password" button if needed. The Nominating Committee thanks the members who agreed to be listed as nominees as well as those who have already voted!

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

Big thanks to the many PLATO members who submitted their work for consideration for inclusion in The Agora, Volume 9, which will be published in Fall 2025. With so many high-quality entries, this edition is sure to please!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats for your spring viewing or listening pleasure, curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for April 22 – May 5, 2025

Visit the Social Justice page to read more about Lussier Community Education Center, PLATO's Education Fund and past DID YOU KNOW? Features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals and organizations you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

PLATO Weekly Update

April 22, 2025

ELECTION FOR PLATO BOARD 2025-26
Read the biographies for the nominees!

THIS WEEK! PLATO's Board of Directors Election for 2025-26 will run from April 23 – May 7, 2025. Read about the nominees by clicking on the Nominee Biographies link below so you are ready to vote. The Nominating Committee thanks the members who agreed to be listed! Watch for a PLATO email tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23, with your link to the Ballot. Voting will close on Wednesday, May 7, at midnight.

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Everything you need to know is available on the Courses webpage. 

SUMMER COURSES
NEXT MONTH! Registration for Summer Courses will open on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Most Summer Courses will begin the week of June 2.

COURSE UPDATE
PLEASE NOTE: There's been a change to the Film History schedule – the last date this course will meet for the Spring Term is tomorrow, Wednesday, April 23.

CURRICULUM SHOWCASE
Best-selling author Robert Kurson talks writing at the PLATO Writing Workshop on May 21 at 1pm – learn more and register in this brief article!

SPECIAL EVENTS

FIELD TRIPS

NEW! Celebrate the advent of summer with the Circus, Stage and Sips Tour on Thursday, June 19, 2025. This Sauk County adventure will include visits to three destinations: Circus World Museum, AL. Ringling Theatre, and Wollersheim Winery! Organized by PLATO, there will be three pick-up stops in Madison: East Towne Sears, Capital Lakes, and Oakwood Village University Woods. The registration deadline is Sunday, June 1, 2025. Learn more and register here.

LECTURES

NEXT WEEK! Join us to learn about the science and technology involved in coffee production! Dr. Juan Rodrigo Sanz Uribe from UW-Madison will present Espresso Yourself: The Science & Art of Coffee, on Thursday, May 1 from 1:30-3pm at Oakwood Village West's Nakoma/Westmoreland Room. Dr. Uribe will deliver his lecture virtually from the country of Colombia while participants gather in person to sample the wonderful flavors of Colombian coffee. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

PAST RECORDINGS
Check out two new offerings on PLATO's Past Recordings webpage:

The Benefits of Strength Training for Life's Journey, a webinar presented for PLATO members by Dr. Katie Starr, Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine. Learn how staying strong boosts mood, sleep, and memory and get tips for how to incorporate strength training into your routine.

Senior Living Options, a presentation recorded during a Money Skills for Retirees class session. Charlene Avery and Mary Erdman share information on considerations around aging in place versus moving to senior living communities. For those who will move, several Dane County senior living options are discussed.

COFFEE & BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

THIS WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee Gathering on Friday, April 25, from 9:30-11:30am at the Rotunda Café. Note that Sue Ellerhost has replaced Catherine Masi to co-host these Fourth Friday events events along with Donaby Henton. Learn more and RSVP by contacting Sue or Donaby here.

NEXT WEEK! Catherine Masi has launched a new First Friday Breakfast Gathering at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road. The next event will be on Friday, May 2, from 9:00-11:00am. Learn more and RSVP here.

REGISTRATION CONTINUES!
PLATO's 2025 Member Appreciation Annual Meeting

Members are invited to attend this lively social event which features keynote speaker John Stofflet, Local Broadcast Legend and 26-time Emmy Winner who will share anecdotes and challenges from his career as a newscaster. Enjoy light refreshments, the annual PLATO business meeting, door prizes and more! This is a complimentary event and members may invite a guest. Registration is required and will close on Friday, May 2. Learn more and register here.

THE AGORA

The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

Big thanks to the many PLATO members who submitted their work for consideration for inclusion in The Agora, Volume 9, which will be published in Fall 2025. With so many high-quality entries, this edition is sure to please!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats for your spring viewing or listening pleasure, curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for April 22 – May 5, 2025

Visit the Social Justice page to read more about Lussier Community Education Center, PLATO's Education Fund and past DID YOU KNOW? Features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals and organizations you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

PLATO Weekly Update

 April 15, 2025

ELECTION FOR PLATO BOARD 2025-26
Read the biographies for the nominees!

NEXT WEEK! PLATO's Board of Directors Election for 2025-26 will run from April 23 – May 7, 2025. Read about the nominees by clicking on the Nominee Biographies link below so you are ready to vote. The Nominating Committee thanks the members who agreed to be listed! Watch for a PLATO email next week, Wednesday, April 23, with your link to the Ballot. Voting will close on Wednesday, May 7, at midnight.

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Everything you need to know is available on the Courses webpage. 

SUMMER COURSES
NEXT MONTH! Registration for Summer Courses will open on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Most Summer Courses will begin the week of June 2.


COURSE UPDATE
There's been a change in the Film History schedule – the last date this course will meet for the Spring Term is next week Wednesday, April 23.

CURRICULUM SHOWCASE
NEW! Best-selling author Robert Kurson talks writing at the PLATO Writing Workshop on May 21 at 1pm – learn more in this brief article!

SPECIAL EVENTS

LECTURES

THIS WEEK! A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm at the Oakwood Village West Performing Arts Center. The Alt-Pinney Book Club will interview the award-winning author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams who is now based in Madison, Wisconsin. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

NEXT MONTH! Join us to learn about the science and technology involved in coffee production! Dr. Juan Rodrigo Sanz Uribe from UW-Madison will present Espresso Yourself: The Science & Art of Coffee, on May 1 from 1:30-3pm at Oakwood Village West's Nakoma/Westmoreland Room. Dr. Uribe will deliver his lecture virtually from the country of Colombia while participants gather in person to sample the wonderful flavors of Colombian coffee. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

COFFEE & BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

NEXT WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee Gathering on Friday, April 25, from 9:30-11:30am at the Rotunda Café. Note that Sue Ellerhost has replaced Catherine Masi to co-host these Fourth Friday events events along with Donaby Henton. Learn more and RSVP by contacting Sue or Donaby here.

NEXT MONTH! Catherine Masi has launched a new First Friday Breakfast Gathering at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road. The next event will be on Friday, May 2, from 9:00-11:00am. Learn more and RSVP here.

NATURE WALK
Registration is full – for the one-hour Nature Walk at Oakwood West on May 5 at 10am lead by Barb Littlewood which will be followed by a social hour with lemonade and cookies in the Oaks Community Room. Learn more and join the waitlist here.

FIELD TRIP
Registration is full – for the History & Heritage of Green Bay Tour on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 to uncover the rich history of the Oneida Nation and Green Bay topped off with a tour of Lambeau Field and a group lunch in the stadium! PLATO is partnering with the Verona Senior Center and UW Retirement Association on this travel opportunity. Learn more and join the waitlist here.  

REGISTRATION CONTINUES!

PLATO's 2025 Member Appreciation Annual Meeting

Members are invited to attend this lively social event which features keynote speaker John Stofflet, Local Broadcast Legend and 26-time Emmy Winner who will share anecdotes and challenges from his career as a newscaster. Enjoy light refreshments, the annual PLATO business meeting, door prizes and more! This is a complimentary event and members may invite a guest. Registration is required and will close on Friday, May 2. Learn more and register here.

PLATO Weekly Update

April 8, 2025

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

PLATO's 2025 Member Appreciation Annual Meeting

Members are invited to attend this lively social event which features keynote speaker John Stofflet, Local Broadcast Legend and 26-time Emmy Winner who will share anecdotes and challenges from his career as a newscaster. Enjoy light refreshments, the annual PLATO business meeting, door prizes and more! This is a complimentary event and members may invite a guest. Registration is required and will close on Friday, May 2. Learn more and register here.

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Everything you need to know is available on the Courses webpage. 

SUMMER COURSES
Registration for Summer Courses will open on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Most Summer Courses will begin the week of June 2.

Interested in offering a summer course? PLATO's Curriculum Committee created a Course Coordinator Toolkit to help get you started! Summertime is a great time to offer a new course because courses typically run just 4-6 weeks.

SPECIAL EVENTS

LECTURES

NEW! Join us to learn about the science and technology involved in coffee production! Dr. Juan Rodrigo Sanz Uribe from UW-Madison will present Espresso Yourself: The Science & Art of Coffee, on May 1 from 1:30-3pm at Oakwood Village West's Nakoma/Westmoreland Room. Dr. Uribe will deliver his lecture virtually from the country of Colombia while participants gather in person to sample the wonderful flavors of Colombian coffee. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

THIS WEEK! Slavery in "Free" Wisconsin Territory, 1800-1850 on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm at the Oakwood Village West Performing Arts Center. Using documentation gathered in the writing of her latest book Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi 1800-1850, historian and author Mary Elise Antoine will discuss the history of slavery in Wisconsin. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

NEXT WEEK! A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm at the Oakwood Village West Performing Arts Center. The Alt-Pinney Book Club will interview the award-winning author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams who is now based in Madison, Wisconsin. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

THIS WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy conversation, coffee and breakfast snacks with fellow members on Friday, April 11, at 9:30-11:30am at Lakeside Street Coffee House. A prominent stairway leads to the lower level where our group meets. Guests are welcome, so feel free to bring a friend who may be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

UPDATE! Sue Ellerhost is stepping up to replace Catherine Masi to co-host the Fourth Friday Coffee Gatherings along with Donaby Henton. The next event will be on Friday, April 25, from 9:30-11:30am at the Rotunda Café. Learn more and RSVP here.  

NEXT MONTH! Catherine Masi has launched a new First Friday Breakfast Gathering at The Pancake House on Gammon Road. The next event will be onFriday, May 2, from 9:00-11:00am. Learn more and RSVP here.

NATURE WALK
REGISTRATION IS FULL – for the one-hour Nature Walk at Oakwood West on May 5 at 10am lead by Barb Littlewood which will be followed by a social hour with lemonade and cookies in the Oaks Community Room. Learn more and join the waitlist here.

FIELD TRIP
REGISTRATION IS FULL –for the History & Heritage of Green Bay Tour on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 to uncover the rich history of the Oneida Nation and Green Bay topped off with a tour of Lambeau Field and a group lunch in the stadium! PLATO is partnering with the Verona Senior Center and UW Retirement Association on this travel opportunity. Learn more and join the waitlist here.  

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

Big thanks to the many PLATO members who submitted their work for consideration for inclusion in The Agora, Volume 9, which will be published in Fall 2025. With so many high-quality entries, this edition is sure to please!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats for your spring viewing or listening pleasure, curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for April 8 – 21, 2025

Dr. Patricia Bath (Nov. 4, 1942 – May 30, 2019) was a pioneer in the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Bath is recognized as the first Black woman physician to receive a medical patent as the inventor of the Laserphaco Probe, a device and technique to remove cataracts. It performed all steps of cataract removal: making the incision, destroying the lens and vacuuming out the fractured pieces. 

Visit the Social Justice page to read more about Dr. Patricia Bath and past DID YOU KNOW? Features.

DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable historic events and contributions made by non-mainstream individuals and organizations you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

PLATO Weekly Update

April 1, 2025

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

PLATO's 2025 Member Appreciation Annual Meeting

Members are invited to attend this lively social event which features keynote speaker John Stofflet, Local Broadcast Legend and 26-time Emmy Winner who will share anecdotes and challenges from his career as a newscaster. Enjoy light refreshments, the annual PLATO business meeting, door prizes and more! This is a complimentary event and members may invite a guest. Registration is required and will close on Friday, May 2. Learn more and register here.

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Have a question about a Spring Course? Find answers on the Courses webpage. 

SUMMER COURSES
Registration for Summer Courses will open on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Most Summer Courses will begin the week of June 2. Interested in offering a Summer Course? Read on for details...

COURSE COORDINATOR TOOLKIT

If you're interested in offering a new course, PLATO's Curriculum Committee created a Course Coordinator Toolkit to help get you started! Summertime is a great time to offer a new course because courses typically run just 4-6 weeks.

SPECIAL EVENTS

NEW! History & Heritage of Green Bay Tour on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Join us as we uncover the rich history of the Oneida Nation and Green Bay topped off with a tour of Lambeau Field and a group lunch in the stadium! PLATO is partnering with the Verona Senior Center  and UW Retirement Association on this travel opportunity. Registration deadline is Thursday, April 17. Learn more and register here.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

THIS WEEK! The very first First Friday Breakfast on the West Side! Join fellow PLATO members and guests for breakfast and conversation at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road. Held the first Friday of each month from 9:00-11:00am, the first event will be on Friday, April 4, 2025. This venue provides the comfort of a private dining room and the convenience of a large parking lot. Bring a friend! Like all Breakfast and Coffee Gatherings, everyone is responsible for their own tab. Learn more and RSVP here.

NEXT WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy conversation, coffee and breakfast snacks with fellow members on Friday, April 11 at 9:30-11:30am at Lakeside Street Coffee House. A prominent stairway leads to the lower level where our group meets. Guests are welcome, so feel free to bring a friend who may be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

WEBINAR

THIS WEEK! The Benefits of Strength Training for Life's Journey by Vivo on Friday, April 4 at 2:00pm. This one-hour webinar features a presentation by Dr. Katie Starr, PhD, RD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, followed by an interactive demo and Q&A session. This complimentary event requires registration to receive the Zoom link – the deadline is Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here. 

FIELD TRIPS

There are a few spots left for the Linden Cohousing Tour on Saturday April 5, 2025, at 10:00am. Fun fact: there are about 200 cohousing communities across the United States and Madison is home to four of them! Come learn how cooperative living can facilitate interaction among neighbors to provide social, practical, economic, and environmental benefits. This is a complimentary two-hour tour for PLATO members and their guests and registration is required by this Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here.

LECTURES

NEXT WEEK! Slavery in "Free" Wisconsin Territory, 1800-1850 on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. Using documentation gathered in the writing of her latest book Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi 1800-1850, historian and author Mary Elise Antoine will discuss the history of slavery in Wisconsin. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. The Alt-Pinney Book Club will interview the award-winning author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

NATURE WALK
REGISTRATION IS FULL – but you may join the waitlist for this one-hour walk through the Oakwood Nature Preserve lead by Barb Littlewood followed by a social hour with lemonade and cookies in the Oaks Community Room. Listening devices will be provided for all participants. Unfortunately, the trail is not accessible to people with disabilities. Learn more and join the waitlist here.

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

Big thanks to the many PLATO members who submitted their work for consideration for inclusion in The Agora, Volume 9, which will be published in Fall 2025. With so many high-quality entries, this edition is sure to please!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

PLATO Weekly Update

March 25, 2025

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Have a question about as Spring Course? Find answers on the Courses webpage. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The PLATO Travel Group's Spring Syllabus has had a few updates – find the revised syllabus posted on the Course Description webpage.

COURSE COORDINATOR TOOLKIT

Summertime is a great time to offer a new course because courses typically run just 4-6 weeks. Most Summer Courses begin the week of June 2. If you're wondering how to start planning a new course, PLATO's Curriculum Committee is here to help – find what you need in the Coordinator Toolkit. 

SPECIAL EVENTS

FIELD TRIPS

Join us for the Linden Cohousing Tour on Saturday April 5, 2025, at 10:00am. There are about 200 cohousing communities across the United States and Madison is home to four of them! Come learn how cooperative living can facilitate interaction among neighbors to provide social, practical, economic, and environmental benefits. This is a complimentary two-hour tour for PLATO members and their guests and registration is required by Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here.

NATURE WALK

NEW! Enjoy a leisurely one-hour walk through the Oakwood Nature Preserve lead by Barb Littlewood followed by a social hour with lemonade and cookies in the Oaks Community Room. Listening devices will be provided for all participants. Unfortunately, the trail is not accessible to people with disabilities. Registration is required and limited to 15 people. Learn more and register here.

LECTURES

A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. The Alt-Pinney Book Club will interview the award-winning author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

Slavery in "Free" Wisconsin Territory, 1800-1850 on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. Using documentation gathered in the writing of her latest book Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi 1800-1850, historian and author Mary Elise Antoine will discuss the history of slavery in Wisconsin. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

THIS WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee on March 28 from 9:30-11:30am at the Rotunda Café on Atwood Ave. Connect with fellow PLATO members over a cup of your favorite morning beverage. Feel free to bring a friend or family member who might be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

NEXT WEEK! The very first First Friday Breakfast on the West Side! Join fellow PLATO members and guests for breakfast and conversation at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road. Held the first Friday of each month from 9:00-11:00am, the first event will be on Friday, April 4, 2025. This venue provides the comfort of a private dining room and the convenience of a large parking lot. Bring a friend! Like all Breakfast and Coffee Gatherings, everyone is responsible for their own tab. Learn more and RSVP here.

WEBINAR

NEXT WEEK! The Benefits of Strength Training for Life's Journey by Vivo on Friday, April 4 at 2:00pm. This one-hour webinar features a presentation by Dr. Katie Starr, PhD, RD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, followed by an interactive demo and Q&A session. This complimentary event requires registration to receive the Zoom link – the deadline is Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here. 

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

Big thanks to the many PLATO members who submitted their work for consideration for inclusion in The Agora, Volume 9, which will be published in Fall 2025. With so many high-quality entries, this edition is sure to please!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

PLATO Weekly Update

March 18, 2025

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Find everything you need to know about Spring Courses on the Courses webpage. The Curriculum Committee hopes you are enjoying the opportunity to participate in one or more Spring courses!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The PLATO Travel Group's Spring Syllabus has had a few updates – find the revised syllabus posted on the Course Description webpage.

SUMMER COURSES
Spread your wings and offer a course this summer! Summertime is a great time to offer a new course, maybe even for the first time, because courses typically run just 4-6 weeks. Most Summer Courses begin the week of June 2. If you're wondering how to start planning a new course, PLATO's Curriculum Committee is here to help – find what you need in the Coordinator Toolkit. 

SPECIAL EVENTS

FIELD TRIPS

NEW! East Troy Railroad and Yerkes Observatory Tour on Monday, May 12, 2025. The first half features a tour of the historic Yerkes Observatory with pre-tour remarks by Jim Lattis, who holds a Ph.D. in History of Science from UW–Madison and helped create UW Space Place. The second half includes a group lunch aboard a two-hour train ride on the East Troy Electric Railroad with guide and conductor, Evan Richards. The registration deadline is Tuesday, March 25 and seats are going fast, so register today! Learn more and register here.

Spring into Spring Tour in the Janesville area on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Flower and nature enthusiasts will enjoy the expansive Rotary Botanical Gardens and the K&W Greenery and their gift shops! We'll also tour the Milton House – Wisconsin's only certified Underground Railroad site. And there will be a group lunch at an Italian restaurant and a surprise stop. The registration deadline is this Friday, March 21, 2025! Learn more and register here.

NEXT MONTH! Join us for the Linden Cohousing Tour on Saturday April 5, 2025, at 10:00am. There are about 200 cohousing communities across the United States and Madison is home to four of them! Come learn how cooperative living can facilitate interaction among neighbors to provide social, practical, economic, and environmental benefits.This is a complimentary two-hour tour for PLATO members and their guests and registration is required. Learn more and register here.

LECTURES

Slavery in "Free" Wisconsin Territory, 1800-1850 on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. Using documentation gathered in the writing of her latest book Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi 1800-1850, historian and author Mary Elise Antoine will discuss the history of slavery in Wisconsin. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. The Alt-Pinney Book Club will interview the award-winning author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

Enjoy recorded PLATO Lectures on important and interesting topics.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

NEXT WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee on March 28 from 9:30-11:30am at the Rotunda Café on Atwood Ave. Connect with fellow PLATO members over a cup of your favorite morning beverage. Feel free to bring a friend or family member who might be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

NEXT MONTH! The very first First Friday Breakfast on the West Side! Join fellow PLATO members and guests for breakfast and conversation at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road. Held the first Friday of each month from 9:00-11:00am, the first event will be on Friday, April 4, 2025. This venue provides the comfort of a private dining room and the convenience of a large parking lot. Bring a friend! Like all Breakfast and Coffee Gatherings, everyone is responsible for their own tab. Learn more and RSVP here.

WEBINAR

The Benefits of Strength Training for Life's Journey by Vivo on Friday, April 4 at 2:00pm. This one-hour webinar features a presentation by Dr. Katie Starr, PhD, RD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, followed by an interactive demo and Q&A session. This complimentary event requires registration to receive the Zoom link – the deadline is Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here. 

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

Big thanks to the many PLATO members who submitted their work for consideration for inclusion in The Agora, Volume 9, which will be published in Fall 2025. With more than 70 high-quality entries, this edition is sure to please!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats for your winter viewing or listening pleasure, curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for March 11 – 24, 2025

Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950) was an American physician who pioneered the storage of blood plasma in blood banks in the United States and Great Britain during the early years of World War II. Drew resigned his posts in 1942 as an act of protest of the decision of the armed forces who ruled that African American blood would be accepted but would need to be stored separately from the blood of whites.

PLATO Weekly Update

March 11, 2025

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Agora, Volume 9 deadline is this Friday, March 14, 2025

PLATO members are invited to submit original works for the 2025 edition of The Agora in the following categories: Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction (including essays) and Visual Arts (painting, sculpture, drawing and photography). 

Learn more about The Agora and the submission process here. The Agora Board looks forward to sharing the talents of PLATO members through this journal!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Have a question about a Spring Course? Find the answer on the Courses webpage. The Curriculum Committee hopes you are enjoying the opportunity to participate in one or more Spring courses!

SUMMER COURSES
Spread your wings and offer a course this summer! Summertime is an ideal time to offer a new course, or maybe your very first course! PLATO's Curriculum Committee is here to help – whether you're a new or existing coordinator, find what you need in the Coordinator Toolkit.

SPECIAL EVENTS

THEATER TRIPS

REMINDER – The Woman in Black – this Sunday, March 16, 2025. Registered guests may review trip details here.

REMINDER – The Craic – this Sunday, March 16, 2025. Registered guests may review trip details here.

FIELD TRIPS

REMINDER – History & Art Tour with a Vintage Flair! – next Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Registered guests may review trip details here.

NEW REGISTRATION DEADLINE – Spring into Spring Tour in the Janesville area on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Flower and nature enthusiasts will enjoy the expansive Rotary Botanical Gardens and the K&W Greenery and their gift shops! We'll also tour the Milton House – Wisconsin's only certified Underground Railroad site. And there will be a group lunch at an Italian restaurant and a surprise stop. The registration deadline has been extended to Friday, March 21, 2025. Learn more and register here.

Linden Cohousing Tour on Saturday April 5, 2025, at 10:00am. There are about 200 cohousing communities across the United States and Madison is home to four of them! Come learn how cooperative living can facilitate interaction among neighbors to provide social, practical, economic, and environmental benefits.This is a complimentary tour for PLATO members and their guests and registration is required. Learn more and register here.

LECTURES

Slavery in "Free" Wisconsin Territory, 1800-1850 on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. Using documentation gathered in the writing of her latest book Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi 1800-1850, historian and author Mary Elise Antoine will discuss the history of slavery in Wisconsin. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

NEW! A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. PLATO's Alt-Pinney Book Club will interview the award-winning author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

Enjoy recorded PLATO Lectures on important and interesting topics.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

THIS WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy conversation, coffee and breakfast snacks with fellow members on Friday, March 14 at 9:30-11:30am at Lakeside Street Coffee House. A prominent stairway leads to the lower level where our group meets. Guests are welcome, so feel free to bring a friend who may be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

NEXT MONTH! Our very first First Friday Breakfast on the West Side!

Join fellow PLATO members and guests for breakfast and conversation at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road. Held the first Friday of each month from 9:00-11:00am, the first event will be on Friday, April 4, 2025. This venue provides the comfort of a private dining room and the convenience of a large parking lot. Bring a friend! Like all Breakfast and Coffee Gatherings, everyone is responsible for their own tab. Learn more and RSVP here.

WEBINAR

The Benefits of Strength Training for Life's Journey by Vivo on Friday, April 4 at 2:00pm. This one-hour webinar features a presentation by Dr. Katie Starr, PhD, RD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, followed by an interactive demo and Q&A session. This complimentary event requires registration to receive the Zoom link – the deadline is Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here. 

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats for your winter viewing or listening pleasure, curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for March 11 – 24, 2025

Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950) was an American physician who pioneered the storage of blood plasma in blood banks in the United States and Great Britain during the early years of World War II. Drew resigned his posts in 1942 as an act of protest of the decision of the armed forces who ruled that African American blood would be accepted but would need to be stored separately from the blood of whites.

Visit the Social Justice page to read more about Charles Richard Drew, and past DID YOU KNOW? Features.