PLATO Weekly Update

 September 16, 2025

NEW! Save the Date – PLATO Fine Arts Café on Tuesday, October 28, 7-9:30pm at the Capitol Lakes Auditorium. Stay tuned for more details about this delightful complimentary event to celebrate PLATO's The Agora, Volume 9!

CURRICULUM

FALL COURSES
REMINDER! Most Fall Courses begin this week – it's not too late to register for courses that might still have space, such as these:

· Drawing as a Sacred Activity

· Money Skills for Retirees

· Biography

· History of the Hollywood Musical

· Jazz

· Gentle Chair Yoga for Stress Reduction

· Mindfulness of Mind: Emotion & Thinking

· Global Affairs and the Media

· Discussions in Philosophy

· Film History

· What in the World Happened

· PLATO Travel Group

Visit the Courses webpage to find the link to the Fall Course Schedule and contact the course coordinator to register.

To renew or to become a member, visit the Join PLATO webpage.

SPECIAL EVENTS

BREAKFAST & COFFEE GATHERINGS
These social events offer members and their guests opportunities to share conversation over coffee and breakfast or breakfast snacks.

NEXT WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee at the Rotunda Café on September 26 from 9:30-11:30am. Learn more and RSVP here.

LECTURES
Save the Dates – review this flyer for lecture dates through December 2025!

NEXT WEEK! Healing the Heart through Forgiveness on Thursday, September 25 from 1:30-3pm at Oakwood Village University Woods Arts and Education Center. In her lecture, Lisa Rickert will reflect on her last two decades of working with defense teams on death penalty cases and the awe she has experienced in witnessing people who chose mercy in response to unspeakable pain, and the power of forgives in the healing process. Registration is not required, guests are welcome, and parking is free. Learn more here.

NEXT MONTH! Beyond Politics: The Content of Wisconsin's Character, Past & Present by award-winning journalist and whistleblower Mike McCabe on Thursday, October 9 from 1:30-3pm at Oakwood Village University Woods Arts and Education Center. Registration for this lecture is not required, guests are welcome, and parking is free. Learn more here.

NEW! Immigration Law: History and Current Status by Raluca Vais-Ottosen, attorney and Chair of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association on Thursday, October 23 from 1:30-3pm at Oakwood Village University Woods Arts and Education Center. Registration for this lecture is not required, guests are welcome, and parking is free. Learn more here.

Explore new topics with recorded PLATO Lectures presented by PLATO members and local, national, and international special guest presenters.

FIELD TRIPS

Tour of the Overture Center on Tuesday, September 30 from 1:00-2:30pm. Step inside Madison’s premier performing arts center for a special free guided tour designed just for our group. Registration is required and members may bring a guest. Learn more and register here.

NEW! Join us on a field trip to Fon du Lac on Wednesday, November 5 to visit the historic Hotel Retlaw which has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service. Three more fun stops include Faris Gourmet Popcorn & Treats, Lakeside Park and Lighthouse. and Christmas Kringle Shoppe. Note that 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. Registration deadline is Monday, October 13. Registration is required and members may bring a guest. Learn more and register here.

THEATER TRIPS
Save the Dates – review this flyer for theater trips through June 2026!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

NEW! Join PLATO member Alan Garfield, Professor Emeritus and retired art historian, on Friday, October 3 from 1-3pm for an afternoon excursion to The Chazen Museum of Art whose collection of approximately 25,000 works of art covers diverse historical periods, cultures, and geographic locations. This informal gathering to learn about art is part of PLATO's pilot program. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and plan your transportation and parking in advance. The registration deadline is Wednesday, October 1. Learn more and register here.