PLATO Weekly Update

January 20, 2026

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
THIS WEEK! Registration for Spring Courses is now open! There are 37 Spring Courses to choose from including in-person, virtual, and hybrid options. Find a link to the Spring 2026 Course Schedule on the Courses webpage. Also, while most will begin the week of February 16, these two will begin early:  

History of the Hollywood Musical starts on Tuesday, February 3

Native Wisconsin starts on Tuesday, February 10

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 those are a sure bet. 

NEW! Courses that meet virtually or offer a hybrid virtual option will now list the platform they will use under "Location" in their course description. So if you need to download the Zoom app in advance, you will have plenty of time to do so. Learn more in the "Announcements" section at the top of the Spring 2026 Course Schedule.

WINTER COURSES
Have a question about a Winter Course? Find answers on the Winter Courses Schedule.

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

THIS WEEK! Protecting Due Process & Immigrants in Our Community on Thursday, January 22from 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.

NEXT WEEK! Lisa Rickert, a fellow PLATO member who presented a lecture last fall on the power of forgiveness based on her experiences working with death row inmates, invites PLATO members to join her for a complimentary monthly conversation to explore ways to heal from anger and resentment and learn the elements of a forgiveness practice. The first informational Forgiveness Cafe will take place on Monday, January 26, from 10:00–11:30am at Oakwood Village University Woods Campus in the Nakoma-Westmoreland Room located at the Heritage Oaks Main Entrance. Registration is not required and parking is free – find more about this location and parking options here. Please email Lisa with any questions you may have at lisa.ann.rickert@gmail.com.

NEXT MONTH!
March your calendar for these February lectures:

Thursday, February 12: Your Voice in Healthcare: How to Prepare and Partner for Better Outcomes, Presented by Angie Ingraham, M.D.

Thursday, February 26, 2026: Global Entries: Anecdotes from My Travels Abroad, Presented by Joe Fahey

Download the PLATO Lecture Schedule through April 2026!

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! Fourth Friday Coffee at the Rotunda Café on January 23 from 9:30-11:30am. Learn more and RSVP here.

NEXT MONTH! First Friday Breakfast Gathering at Panera Bread located at 601 Junction Road on February 6, from 9:30-11:30am. To RSVP, send an email to Catherine Masi, the event coordinator, by the Thursday before the event. Learn more and find Catherine's email address here.

NEXT WEEK! Join us to cheer our UW Badgers on to victory! The next Basketball Watch Party is on Saturday, January 31 at 1pm. Registration is not required and guests are welcome – learn more here!

THEATER TRIPS
SAVE THE DATES! Review this updated schedule for theater trips that will be offered later this spring – destinations include Milwaukee, Fort Atkinson and Chicago! Please note that the Fireside Dinner Theatre trip in June will be on Friday June, 19 (there was a typo in last week's email).

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.