PLATO Weekly Update

January 13, 2026

CURRICULUM

WINTER COURSES
Winter Courses are underway! If you have a question about a Winter Course, find the Winter Course Schedule on the Courses webpage. 

SPRING COURSES
NEXT WEEK! Registration for Spring Courses opens on Tuesday, January 20! There will be 37 Spring Courses to choose from, with in-person, virtual, and hybrid options. Most Spring Courses will begin the week of February 16.  

REGISTRATION TIPS
Some courses fill up quickly so if you see a course that interests you, try to sign up right away. If you find out that a course is full, ask if there's a waiting list you could join. Also, there are frequently a variety of courses that offer unlimited participation, so perhaps expand your horizons by signing up for one of those in the meantime?

HALF-PRICE MEMBERSHIPS
To renew or to become a member, visit the Join PLATO webpage – now through March 31, memberships are half-price ($30).

SPECIAL EVENTS

LECTURES

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

THIS 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.

NEXT WEEK! 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
Pique your curiosity with recorded PLATO Lectures offered by PLATO members and local, national, and international special guest presenters.

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! 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.

THIS WEEK! 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!

THEATER TRIPS
SAVE THE DATES! Review this revised schedule for theater trips that will be offered later this spring – destinations include Milwaukee, Fort Atkinson and Chicago!

FIELD TRIPS
COMING SOON! Planning is underway for a variety of exciting field trips so please stay tuned to upcoming Weekly Updates for full details.

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.