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).