PLATO Weekly Update 

December 21, 2021

CURRICULUM

WINTER COURSES
Winter Course Registration continues – review our course offerings and contact the course coordinator via phone or email to register. Please note that Spring Course Registration will open on Tuesday, January 18th.

REMINDER

These COVID-19 Protocols continue to be in place for in-person participants:

· Wear masks inside of Host Location buildings.

· Follow social distancing guidelines.

· Follow any additional guidelines required at Host Locations - visit the Courses Page or check with your course coordinator.

SPECIAL EVENTS

NEW! Theater Trips and Breakfast Gatherings will resume in 2022! Please note that these COVID-19 Protocols are required to attend these in-person events:

· Masks are required at all times, except while eating.

· You will need to show: 

o   A picture ID.

o   Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of negative results of a COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to the event. The test must be issued by a medical provider or pharmacy. At home tests will not be accepted. 

· You will not be allowed to join the event without providing acceptable documentation.

· Please stay home if you are not feeling well and contact the trip organizer to inform them of your decision.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

NEW! Join us for a Breakfast Gathering on Friday, January 14th at 9:30am at The Marquette Hotel Cafe, located at 414 South Baldwin Street in the heart of the fun and funky Willy Street neighborhood. This will be the first of what we intend to be monthly breakfasts in several locations during 2022. All participants must follow PLATO's COVID-19 Protocols for in-person events listed above and RSVP. Find more details and RSVP information here.

THEATER 

NEW! Madison Savoyards presents An Evening with Gilbert and Sullivan, premiering at 2:30pm on December 26th. Recorded for the University League's Candlelight Concert, this free YouTube offering includes a Christmas version of Three Little Maids from School and other favorites from this delightful duo. 

Also, check out these Virtual Theater Trips which are frequently updated.

LECTURES

Enjoy archived Recordings of PLATO Lectures on a variety of topics. 

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

PLEASE NOTE - In light of the holidays, there will be no Weekly Update next week; the Weekly Update will resume on Tuesday, January 4th. Sending best wishes for a safe, happy and healthy holiday season! 

EDUCATION FUND UPDATE

YEAR-END GIVING - Please consider including PLATO's Education Fund in your charitable gift giving plans to help PLATO continue to provide scholarships for returning adult students at UW-Madison, as well as supporting the Odyssey Project and other local community programs. Since 2012, PLATO has raised more than $205,000, with this year's member donations providing $34,000 to support these educational efforts. Learn more and donate online at PLATO's Donate webpage and send questions to Rod McKenzie: rod.mckenzie@mail.tds.net.

FEATURED AGORA WORKS

The digital version of The Agora, Volume 7, 2021 is now online!

Visit The Agora Features webpage for highlights from this past season, created and curated by fellow PLATO members for your enjoyment.

Our Featured Offering through January 4th is Bridge a photograph by Bill Eisinger, an apt metaphor for these challenging times.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

Select from a range of topics and formats 

for your Winter reading, viewing, or listening, 

curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

DID YOU KNOW? December 14 - January 4, 2022

Did You Know… Patsy Matsu Takemoto Mink of Hawaii, was the first woman of color and the first Asian-American woman to serve in the U.S. Congress. She was also the first Asian-American to run for President.

Mink is known for writing bills like Title IX (later named the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act), the Early Childhood Education Act, and Women’s Educational Equity Act.

Visit the Social Justice Webpage for more about
Patsy Matsu Takemoto Mink & past DID YOU KNOW? features.

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