PLATO Weekly Update

January 17, 2023

IN MEMORIAM: LOUISE FOWLER

We are very sorry to announce the sudden death of Louise Fowler while she was on vacation with her family in Philadelphia. Louise provided administrative support to PLATO for almost a decade as a valued member of the UW Division of Continuing Studies staff. Her work for PLATO members touched most, if not all, parts of our organization. She will be missed in numerous and profound ways. Her engaging personality and generosity of time and attention was evident to, and appreciated, by all. Our sympathies are with Louise’s family.

CURRICULUM

WINTER COURSES

· Winter Courses are underway – find details on the Courses page. 

· If your course meets in person, please review the COVID-19 Protocols posted in the Curriculum Showcase.

· NOTE: Refighting the Civil War, usually a Spring course, began on January 9 and will end April 24. The course is 12 weeks total with no classes during March. You may still join now or wait and join during the Spring session. Please contact the coordinator, Daryl Sherman at snippetswi@gmail.com for more information about this virtual course.

SPRING COURSES

NEXT WEEK! On Tuesday, January 24, the Spring Course Schedule will be posted to the Courses page and registration will open the same day.

SPECIAL EVENTS

BREAKFAST GATHERING
NEXT WEEK! Fourth Friday, January 27 at 9:30am, join fellow PLATO members and guests for breakfast and conversation at Marquette Hotel Café in Madison's WilIiamson-Marquette neighborhood. RSVP and learn more.

LECTURES
We have two upcoming lectures on Wisconsin's fresh waters:

· Join us on Wednesday, February 8 at 2pm as author Donald P. Sanford shares fascinating stories from his book, On Fourth Lake: A Social History of Lake Mendota. This in-person lecture will be held in Grand Hall at Capital Lakes, located at 333 W. Main St. Free parking is available across the street in their parking ramp. Please sign the registration book when you arrive at the front desk. Masks will not be required but you may wear one if you wish. Learn more about this event, parking validation, and the author.

· In March, author Scott Spoolman will share what he learned writing his new book Wisconsin Waters: The Ancient History of Lakes, Rivers and Waterfalls. More details coming soon.

Enjoy archived PLATO Lectures on an array of timely topics.

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

SEEKING SUBMISSIONS for The Agora, Volume 8
PLATO members are invited to submit original works for the 2023 edition of The Agora in the following categories: Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction (including essays) and Visual Arts (painting, sculpture, drawing and photography).

This is a blind juried review and the deadline for submissions is Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Click here to learn more and submit your work.

To view highlights from this past season, click on The Agora Features button below.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

Select from a range of topics and formats 

for your 2023 reading, viewing, or listening, 

curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

DID YOU KNOW? for January 3 – 23, 2023

Did You Know…Freedom House Ambulance Service, formed in 1967 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was the first emergency medical service in the United States staffed by paramedics who had received medical training. They served the predominantly black Hill District of Pittsburgh, and the majority of the staff were African-American. Formed with partial funding from President Johnson’s War on Poverty, Freedom House Ambulance Service established new national and international standards in emergency medical care. They operated until 1975 when the city took over providing emergency ambulance service. 

Visit the Social Justice page for more about Freedom House Ambulance Service or 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).