PLATO Weekly Update

May 12, 2026

TOMORROW! PLATO's Member Appreciation Annual Meeting 2026 on Wednesday, May 13 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at the East Side Club. Registered members and guests may review the Schedule of Events here. Feel free to arrive a bit early to get checked in! And if you need to cancel, please notify the PLATO office at info@platomadison.org.

CURRICULUM

SUMMER COURSES

NEW! Registration for Summer Courses is now open! Most will begin the week of June 8 and vary in length from 3-10 weeks. With 12 courses to choose from, including in-person and virtual offerings, something is sure to please! Find the Summer Course Schedule on the Courses webpage and and read the Curriculum Showcase article below about a new pilot registration process for select Summer Courses.

CURRICULUM SHOWCASE
Learn about the Curriculum Committee's efforts to automate PLATO's course registration process in this Curriculum Showcase article which includes two brief video tutorials, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) flyerand more.

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

THIS MONTH! PLATO member Donaby Henton will lead a repeat ChatGPT workshop, an artificial intelligence app, on Friday, May 29, 2026, from 1:00–3:00pm on Madison's East Side at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge. Please bring your own smartphone or tablet installed with the ChatGPT application (though assistance on installation will be available if needed.) This session is open to PLATO members only and registration is required by Wednesday, May 27. Learn more and register here.

Submit your idea for a Pop-Up Event today!

SPECIAL EVENTS

NATURE WALKS

NEW! Register today for a 2.5 hour tour of the Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Hans Hilbert will guide PLATO members and their guests through some of the most unique land features in the Conservancy. Topics will include human history, ecology, watershed dynamics, the impacts of development, and more. Registration is required for this complimentary tour. Learn more and register here.

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THEATER TRIPS

NEXT MONTH! Join us for Million Dollar Quartet on Friday, June 19, 2026, at The Fireside Dinner Theater in Fort Atkinson to witness an extraordinary twist of fate that brought Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley together for what would be one of the greatest jam sessions of all time! 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 Monday, June 1. Learn more and register here.

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FIELD TRIPS

TRIP IS FULL – but you can join the waitlist for the Dane County Landfill Tour on Tuesday, June 2 from 10:00-11:30am. This tour is free for PLATO members and their guests, and registration is required. Learn more and join the waitlist here.

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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 May 15, from 11:30am-1:30pm. Learn more and RSVP here.

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LECTURES

PLATO Lectures will resume in early September! In the meantime, explore the Past Recordings webpage to enjoy lectures and course sessions on a variety of interesting subjects presented by PLATO members and special guest presenters.

ELECTION RESULTS FOR PLATO 2026-27 BOARD

The annual election is now completed. Congratulations to President J. K. Cheema, Vice President MaryJo MacSwain, Treasurer Rod McKenzie, Secretary Edie Urness-Pondillo, and At-Large Directors Suzanne Rybeck and David Shaw. The PLATO Board is composed of five officers, standing committee chairpersons, and five At-Large Directors. The new Board’s term starts on July 1, 2026. Learn about PLATO’s structure, policies, and more on the Organizational Documents webpage.