PLATO Weekly Update

January 6, 2026

HALF-PRICE PLATO MEMBERSHIPS

To renew or to become a member, visit the Join PLATO webpage. And be sure to tell your family and friends that Half-Year Memberships ($30) are available for January 1 – July 31, 2026!

CURRICULUM

WINTER COURSES
Most Winter Courses begin this week – review the Winter Course Schedule on the Courses webpage. Also, please note that Fictional Detectives has been cancelled for this term and Gentle Chair Yoga for Stress Reduction, a drop-in course on Friday afternoons, is still accepting registrations.

SPRING COURSES
NEW! Mark your calendar:

· Registration for Spring Courses opens on Tuesday, January 20

· Most Spring Courses will begin the week of February 16

SPECIAL EVENTS

THEATER TRIPS

NEXT WEEK! There are three spaces left! Join us for BEEHIVE on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at The Fireside Dinner Theater in Fort Atkinson to celebrate the powerful female voices of the 1960's. 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. The registration deadline is this Thursday, January 8. Learn more and register here. 

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

THIS WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast Gathering at the Lakeside Street Coffee House on January 9 from 9:30-11:30am. If you are new to this gathering, please RSVP via email to Sharon Scrattish, the event coordinator, by the Thursday before the event. Learn more and find Sharon's email address here.

NEXT WEEK! Third Friday Lunch Gathering at the Great Dane Pub on the East Side on Jupiter Drive on January 16, from 11:30am-1:30pm. RSVP via email to Sue Ellerhorst, the event coordinator, by the Thursday before the event. Learn more and find Sue's email address here.

LECTURES

SAVE THE DATES – Download the PLATO Lecture Schedule through April 2026!

NEXT WEEK! Memories of My Childhood on Badger Creek on Thursday, January 15 from 1:30-3:00pm at Oakwood Village University Woods Arts and Education Center. In her lecture, Peggy Prilaman Marxen will discuss her book, The Farm on Badger Creek: Memories of a Midwest Girlhood, which shares her memories of a rustic childhood in rural northern Wisconsin. Registration for this lecture is not required, guests are welcome, and parking is free. Learn more here.

THIS MONTH! Protecting Due Process & Immigrants in Our Community on Thursday, January 22 from 1:30-3:00pm at Oakwood Village University Woods Arts and Education Center. In his lecture, Grant Sovern, a founding attorney and board president of Madison's Community Immigration Law Center, will focus on the challenges of protecting due process rights and the immigrants living in our community. Registration for this lecture is not required, guests are welcome, and parking is free. Learn more here.

PAST RECORDINGS
Learn something new with recorded PLATO Lectures offered by PLATO members and local, national, and international special guest presenters.

PLATO POP-UP EVENTS
Providing members with new opportunities to connect, learn, and grow!

Click here to learn more or to offer a Pop-Up Event.

THIS MONTH! Join us to cheer our UW Badgers on to victory! The next Basketball Watch Party is on Saturday, January 17 at 1pm. Registration is not required and guests are welcome – learn more here!