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Weekly Update 
is emailed every Tuesday to PLATO members and  those interested in joining

Be sure to add: PLATO Office Operations and "info@platomadison.org" to your email contacts or approved sender list in order to direct PLATO emails to your Inbox and keep them out of your junk folder.
  • August 30, 2022 1:16 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    PLATO Weekly Update

    August 30, 2022


    CURRICULUM

    FALL COURSES

    · Registration for Fall Courses continues! View our Fall Course Schedule of 39 in-person, virtual and hybrid courses

    · Most Fall Courses begin the week of September 19

    COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR COURSES

    Before attending in-person Fall Courses, check the Fall 2022 COVID Protocols for your specific host locations in the Curriculum Showcase.

    COURSES PAGE 


    SPECIAL EVENTS 

    UPCOMING OCTOBER TRIPS
    If you are interested in either or both of our October trips, please sign up now. 
     Registration deadlines are fast approaching. If we do not have enough registrants by these deadlines to make the trips financially feasible, they will be cancelled. 

    Historic Pullman House Tour on Sunday, October 9 – Once a year residents of the Pullman Historic District in Chicago open their homes for their annual house tour. You will see beautiful homes, selected public buildings, exhibits and a video on the history of this unique landmark district, enjoying music, food, antique cars, and so much more. The registration deadline is September 8. Register, view photos, and learn more here.

    Titanic The Musical on Sunday, October 16 – PLATO member Stuart shares, "I saw this fantastic production at the Milwaukee Rep and I was just so moved by the opening and closing numbers in particular, though the whole show is outstanding!" He's got a ticket to see the show again. The registration deadline is September 15. Register and learn more here.

    WALKS OF DANE COUNTY
    NEW! Join us for these morning Walks starting at 9am to take in the natural splendor of the season. Following each Walk we have suggested gathering at a local café to relax and socialize before returning home.

    · Friday, Sept. 9 we'll walk the woods of Stewart Lake County Park on the edge of Mt. Horeb. Register and learn more here.

    · Tuesday, Oct. 11 we'll stroll Pope Farm Conservancy and enjoy its beautiful scenery. Register and learn more here.

    · Tuesday, October 25, we'll return to the equestrian trails and new park land of Donald County Park. Register and learn more here.

    · Tuesday, November 8, we'll walk part of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, named "Best of Madison" for hiking/biking trails. Register and learn more here.

    BREAKFAST GATHERING 
    On September 9 at 9:30am, members and non-members are invited to enjoy coffee and conversation with Host Sharon at the UW Memorial Union Terrace
    RSVP and learn more hereincluding parking tips and what to do if rain is in the forecast.

    LECTURES
    Please, WE NEED YOU! 
    Many of you have enjoyed PLATO Lectures on a wide range of interesting topics. We need you now to help put together this year's lectures. Our current Lectures leader needs people to assist her in choosing topics and speakers, arranging dates and times of lectures and finally, assisting during their presentations. For the time being, lectures will continue to be presented virtually and most of the work required can be done via email and phone calls. Please contact Stephanie at info@platomadison.org to volunteer.

    Enjoy archived PLATO Lectures on many interesting subjects.

    SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 


    FEATURED AGORA WORKS

    Visit The Agora Features webpage for highlights from this past season, created and curated by fellow PLATO members for your pleasure. 

    Our Biweekly Feature for August 23 – September 5 is Reflections and Deceptions, a photograph by Bill Eisinger, who draws an interesting analogy about the mysteries of human perception.

    AGORA FEATURE 


    SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

    Select from a range of topics and formats 

    for your late Summer reading, viewing, or listening, 

    curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

    DID YOU KNOW? for August 30 – September 12, 2022

    Did You Know… Andrea Mia Ghez (b: 1965) is an American astrophysicist professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Ghez's research focuses on the center of the Milky Way Galaxy. In 2020 she became just the 4th woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, sharing the prize with Reinhard Genzel. Her Nobel was awarded for the discovery of a supermassive compact object, now generally recognized to be a black hole, in the Milky Way’s galactic center.

    Visit the Social Justice Webpage for much more about Andrea Mia Ghez and past DID YOU KNOW? features.

    DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

    SOCIAL JUSTICE WEBPAGE 


  • August 23, 2022 1:14 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    PLATO Weekly Update

    August 23, 2022


    CURRICULUM

    FALL COURSES

    · NEW! Fall Course Registration begins today! View our Fall Course Schedule of 39 in-person, virtual and hybrid courses

    · Most Fall Courses begin the week of September 19

    · Updates to the schedule will be added as we receive them

    COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR COURSES

    Check the Fall 2022 COVID Protocols for specific host locations in the Curriculum Showcase.

    COURSES PAGE

     

    SPECIAL EVENTS

    FIELD TRIP
    NEW! Historic Pullman House Tour – Friday, October 9. In the spring of 2018, PLATO organized a field trip to Chicago for a walking tour of the Pullman Historic District. On our way home many participants said that they wished they could have viewed the inside of the houses. This trip offers that opportunity – this is the one weekend each year that Pullman residents open their homes to the public. Register, view photos, and learn more here.

    THEATER TRIP
    REGISTRATION IS OPEN – for Titanic The Musical. PLATO member Stuart shares, "I saw this fantastic production at the Milwaukee Rep and I was just so moved by the opening and closing numbers in particular, though the whole show is outstanding!" He's got a ticket to see the show again. Register and learn more here.

    WALKS OF DANE COUNTY
    NEW! Join us for these morning Walks starting at 9am to take in the natural splendor of early Fall. Following each Walk we have suggested gathering at a local café to relax and socialize before returning home.

    Friday, Sept. 9 we'll walk the woods of Stuart Lake County Park on the edge of Mt. Horeb, Register and learn more here.

    Tuesday, Oct. 11 we'll stroll Pope Farm and check out the sunflowers. Register and learn more here.

    BREAKFAST GATHERINGS 
    NEW! Beginning on August 26 at 9:30am, we will offer another monthly Breakfast Gathering on the fourth Friday of each month at the Madison Marquette Café located at 414 S. Baldwin Street. Members and non-members are invited to enjoy coffee and conversation with Hosts Catherine, Michael and Peggy. RSVP and learn more here. Second Friday of the month Breakfast Gatherings will also continue – see below.

    NEXT MONTH!
     On September 9 at 9:30am, members and non-members are invited to enjoy coffee and conversation with Host Sharon at the UW Memorial Union Terrace. RSVP and learn more here, including parking tips and what to do if rain is in the forecast.

    LECTURES
    We need YOU! NOW. 
    Many of you have enjoyed PLATO Lectures on a wide range of interesting topics. We need you now to help put together this year's lectures. Our current Lectures leader needs people to assist her in choosing topics and speakers, arranging dates and times of lectures and finally, assisting during their presentations. For the time being, lectures will continue to be presented virtually and most of the work required can be done via email and phone calls. Please contact Stephanie at info@platomadison.org to volunteer.

    As always, browse archived PLATO Lectures on many important topics.

    SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR

     

    FEATURED AGORA WORKS

    Visit The Agora Features webpage for highlights from this past season, created and curated by fellow PLATO members for your pleasure. 

    Our Biweekly Feature for August 23 – September 5 is Reflections and Deceptions, a photograph by Bill Eisinger, who draws an interesting analogy about the mysteries of human perception.

    AGORA FEATURE

     

    SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

    Select from a range of topics and formats 

    for your Summer reading, viewing, or listening, 

    curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

    DID YOU KNOW? for August 16 – 29, 2022

    Did You Know... Diana Trujillo Pomerantz is a Colombian-born (January 1980) aerospace engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She leads the engineering team at JPL Rover. On February 18, 2021 Trujillo hosted the first ever Spanish-language NASA transmission of a planetary landing for the Perseverance rover landing on Mars. Trujillo moved to the US when she was just 17 years old, with only $300 in her pocket. She worked in service jobs and attended school part-time for years, eventually earning admission to the NASA Academy, becoming the first Hispanic immigrant woman to do so.

    Visit the Social Justice Webpage for much more about Diana Trujillo Pomerantz and past DID YOU KNOW? features.

    DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

    SOCIAL JUSTICE WEBPAGE


  • August 16, 2022 1:14 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    PLATO Weekly Update

    August 16, 2022


    CURRICULUM

    FALL COURSES
    MARK YOUR CALENDAR – next week Tuesday, August 23:

    • The Fall Course Schedule will be posted to the Courses webpage...
    • And Registration for Fall courses will begin!
    COURSES PAGE


    SPECIAL EVENTS
     

    BREAKFAST GATHERINGS 
    NEW! Starting on August 26 at 9:30am, we will offer another monthly Breakfast Gathering on the fourth Friday of each month at the Madison Marquette Café located at 414 S. Baldwin Street. Members and non-members are invited to enjoy coffee and conversation with Hosts Catherine and Peggy. RSVP and learn more here. Note that we will continue to offer a Breakfast Gathering on the second Friday of the month as well – see below.

    NEXT MONTH!
     On September 9 at 9:30am, members and non-members are invited to enjoy coffee and conversation with Host Susan at the UW Memorial Union Terrace. RSVP and learn more here, including parking tips and what to do if rain is in the forecast.

    THEATER TRIP
    NEW! 
    Registration is open for Titanic – join us on October 16 to see this Tony award-winning musical at the Milwaukee Repertory TheatreRegister and learn more here.

    FIELD TRIP
    ONE SPACE LEFT – Join us on Wednesday, August 31, for a day in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin area. In the morning we will visit Kohler-Andrae State Park and in the afternoon spend time at the new Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. Lunch will be on your own at Shops at Woodlake KohlerRegister, view photos and learn more here.

    LECTURES  
    Check out our archived PLATO Lectures on a variety of topics.

        SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR


        FEATURED AGORA WORKS

        Visit The Agora Features webpage for highlights from this past season, created and curated by fellow PLATO members for your pleasure. 

        Our Biweekly Feature for August 9 – 22 is Pintail Duck, a woodwork by Jim Albrightwho shares a bit about his creative woodworking process. 

        AGORA FEATURE


        SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

        Select from a range of topics and formats 

        for your Summer reading, viewing, or listening, 

        curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

        DID YOU KNOW? for August 16 – 29, 2022

        Did You Know... Diana Trujillo Pomerantz is a Colombian-born (January 1980) aerospace engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She leads the engineering team at JPL Rover. On February 18, 2021 Trujillo hosted the first ever Spanish-language NASA transmission of a planetary landing for the Perseverance rover landing on Mars. Trujillo moved to the US when she was just 17 years old, with only $300 in her pocket. She worked in service jobs and attended school part-time for years, eventually earning admission to the NASA Academy, becoming the first Hispanic immigrant woman to do so.

        Visit the Social Justice Webpage for much more about Diana Trujillo Pomerantz and past DID YOU KNOW? features.

        DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

        SOCIAL JUSTICE WEBPAGE



      • August 09, 2022 1:09 PM | Deleted user

        PLATO Weekly Update

         

        August 9, 2022

        CURRICULUM

        FALL COURSES
        Mark your calendar:

        • Tuesday, August 23 – the Fall Course schedule will be posted to the Courses webpage and registration for courses begins
        • The week of September 19 – Fall Courses begin

        COURSES PAGE 


        SPECIAL EVENTS 

        BREAKFAST GATHERING 
        THIS WEEK!
         On Friday, August 12 at 9:30am, members are invited to enjoy coffee and conversation at the UW Memorial Union Terrace. Please note that Peet's Coffee might be the only open venue. They offer limited food choices such as sandwiches, coffee drinks and bakery GrabNGo items – see their menu for details. RSVP for this event and learn more here, including parking tips and what to do if rain is in the forecast.

        FIELD TRIP
        Registration deadline is August 17 – currently 10 seats available for the Wednesday, August 31 ART AND NATURE IN SHEBOYGAN FIELD TRIP. In the morning we will explore Kohler-Andrae State Park and in the afternoon visit the new Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. Lunch will be on your own at Shops at Woodlake KohlerRegister, view photos, and learn more here.

        SAVE THE DATE
        Sunday, October 16  a theater trip to see Titanic at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. More details to come! 

        NOTE – POSTPONED UNTIL SPRING 2023
        A Walk Through Forest Hill Cemetery lead by Bruce Gregg, longtime member of PLATO and of Historic Madison.

        LECTURES  
        Check out our archived PLATO Lectures on a variety of topics.

        SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 


        QUESTIONS FOR PLATO LEADERSHIP
        PLATO Course Coordinators Represent Deep Expertise


        LEADERSHIP Q & A 


        MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL REMINDER
        Have you renewed your PLATO membership?

        THANK YOU – to those members who have already renewed! For those of you who haven't renewed yet, there's still time! Renew online now to be eligible to participate in this year's wide array of in-person and virtual courses and events.

        Renew online or mail a check for $60 to: 
        PLATO, 6209 Mineral Point Rd. #203, Madison, WI 53705. 
        (If mailing your check, let us know if your contact information has changed since 2021).

        Email PLATO office coordinator Stephanie Steigerwaldt (info@platomadison.org)with any renewal questions.

        RENEW ONLINE NOW 


        FEATURED AGORA WORKS

        Visit The Agora Features webpage for highlights from this past season, created and curated by fellow PLATO members for your pleasure. 

        Our Biweekly Feature for August 9 – 22 is Pintail Duck, a woodwork by Jim Albrightwho shares a bit about his creative woodworking process. 

        AGORA FEATURE 


        SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

        Select from a range of topics and formats for your Summer reading, viewing, or listening, curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

        NEW on the Social Justice Webpage: Updates on the “Mayors for a Guaranteed Income” projects.

        DID YOU KNOW? for August 2 – 15, 2022

        Did You Know… Marshall “Major” Taylor (1878-1932) was an African-American bicycling legend at the turn of the 20th century. He established numerous world records from a quarter mile to 1 and 2-mile races. He excelled on velodrome tracks – the once-popular arenas built for bicycle racing. Hailed as the “Black Cyclone”Taylor defeated cycling champions from the U.S. and Canada, plus Germany, England, France, Australia, and New Zealand.

        Visit the Social Justice Webpage for much more about Marshall “Major” Taylor and past DID YOU KNOW? features.

        DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

        SOCIAL JUSTICE WEBPAGE 



      • August 02, 2022 1:11 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


        PLATO Weekly Update


        August 2, 2022


        CURRICULUM

        COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR COURSES

        Current COVID protocols for specific Host Locations for Summer Courses are listed in the Curriculum Showcase.

        SUMMER COURSES

        Questions? Find answers on the Summer Course Schedule page.

        FALL COURSES

        Mark your calendar:

        • Tuesday, August 23 the Fall Course schedule will be posted to the Courses webpage and registration for courses begins

        • The week of September 19 – Fall Courses begin


        COURSES PAGE 



        SPECIAL EVENTS 

        BREAKFAST GATHERING 

        NEXT WEEK! On Friday, August 12 at 9:30am, members are invited to enjoy coffee and conversation at the UW Memorial Union Terrace. Please note that at our last gathering Peet's Coffee was the only open venue so you may want to have a bite to eat before leaving home. RSVP and learn more here, including parking tips and what to do if rain is in the forecast.

        FIELD TRIP

        Join us on Wednesday, August 31, for a day in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin area. In the morning we will visit Kohler-Andrae State Park and in the afternoon spend time at the new Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. Lunch will be on your own at Shops at Woodlake Kohler. Register, view photos, and learn more here.

        SAVE THE DATE

        Sunday, October 16  a theater trip to see Titanic at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. More details coming soon! 

        NOTE – POSTPONED UNTIL SPRING 2023

        A Walk Through Forest Hill Cemetery lead by Bruce Gregg, longtime member of PLATO and of Historic Madison.

        LECTURES  

        Explore archived PLATO Lectures on many interesting subjects.


        SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 



        MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL REMINDER

        Have you renewed your PLATO membership?

        If you haven't, your membership expired on July 31st. But it's not too late! Renew online now to be ready to take advantage of the wide variety of in-person and virtual courses and events PLATO will offer this Fall.

        Renew online nowor mail a check for $60 to PLATO, 6209 Mineral Point Rd. #203, Madison, WI 53705. If mailing your check, please let us know if your contact information has changed since June 2021 and email any further questions to Stephanie Steigerwaldt, PLATO's office coordinator, at info@platomadison.org.

        Thank you to those members who have already renewed – we look forward to seeing you at our many offerings lined up for the coming year.


        RENEW ONLINE NOW 



        FEATURED AGORA WORKS

        Visit The Agora Features webpage for highlights from this past season, created and curated by fellow PLATO members for your pleasure. 

        Our Biweekly Feature for July 26 – August 8 is Hanging Up My Laundry, a short story by Howard Bowman, narrated by the author himself.


        AGORA FEATURE 



        SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

        Select from a range of topics and formats 

        for your Summer reading, viewing, or listening, 

        curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

        NEW on the Social Justice Webpage: Updates on the “Mayors for a Guaranteed Income” projects.

        DID YOU KNOW? for August 2 – 15, 2022

        Did You Know… Marshall “Major” Taylor (1878-1932) was an African-American bicycling legend at the turn of the 20th century. He established numerous world records from a quarter mile to 1 and 2-mile races. He excelled on velodrome tracks – the once-popular arenas built for bicycle racing. Hailed as the “Black Cyclone” Taylor defeated cycling champions from the U.S. and Canada, plus Germany, England, France, Australia, and New Zealand.

        Visit the Social Justice Webpage for much more about Marshall “Major” Taylor and past DID YOU KNOW? features.

        DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).


        SOCIAL JUSTICE WEBPAGE 






      • July 26, 2022 11:40 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


        PLATO Weekly Update

        July 26, 2022


        CURRICULUM

        COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR COURSES

        Current COVID protocols for specific Host Locations for Summer Courses are listed in the Curriculum Showcase.

        SUMMER COURSES
        Questions? Find answers on the Summer Course Schedule page.

        FALL COURSES
        Note these important dates:

        · Tuesday, August 23 – the Fall Course schedule will be posted to the Courses webpage and registration for courses begins

        · The week of September 19 – Fall Courses begin

        COURSES PAGE 


        SPECIAL EVENTS
         

        BREAKFAST GATHERING 
        Enjoy coffee and conversation –
         with fellow PLATO members on Friday, August 12 at 9:30am at the UW Memorial Union Terrace. Note – at our July 8 gathering Peet's Coffee was the only open venue so you may want to have a bite to eat before leaving home. RSVP and learn more here, including parking tips and what to do if it rains.

        FIELD TRIP
        Registration is open! Join us on Wednesday, August 31, for a day in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin area. In the morning we will visit Kohler-Andrae State Park and in the afternoon spend time at the new Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. Lunch will be on your own at Shops at Woodlake KohlerRegister, view photos, and learn more here.

        SAVE THE DATES
        Details about more trips coming soon! 

        Tuesday, October 4 – A Walk Through Forest Hill Cemetery lead by Bruce Gregg, longtime member of PLATO and of Historic Madison.

        Sunday, October 16 – a theater trip to see Titanic at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

        And planning is underway for another field trip in late August/early September and a second theater trip in November!

        LECTURES  
        As always, archived PLATO Lectures are available on a variety of subjects.

        SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 


        FEATURED AGORA WORKS

        Visit The Agora Features webpage for highlights from this past season, created and curated by fellow PLATO members for your pleasure. 

        Our Biweekly Feature for July 26 – August 8 is Hanging Up My Laundry, a short story by Howard Bowman, narrated by the author himself.

        AGORA FEATURE 


        OCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

        Select from a range of topics and formats 

        for your Summer reading, viewing, or listening, 

        curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

        DID YOU KNOW? for July 19 – August 1

        Did You Know… Matthew Henson was an African American explorer best known as the co-discoverer of the North Pole in 1909 with Robert Edwin Peary. While Peary received much recognition for the accomplishment, Henson, as a black man, was largely ignored in press reports at the time. It took almost 30 years for him to receive the proper recognition.

        Born to Maryland sharecroppers in 1866, Henson was orphaned early and had to make his own way. He became a cabin boy on a ship where the captain mentored him in seamanship. Henson was working on land in a hat shop in Washington D.C. in 1887 when he met naval engineer and global explorer Robert Peary. Peary was impressed by Henson’s seafaring credentials and hired him as his valet for upcoming expeditions to Nicaragua, Greenland, and eventually the North Pole.

        Visit the Social Justice Webpage for more about Matthew Henson and past DID YOU KNOW? features..

        DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

        SOCIAL JUSTICE WEBPAGE 


      • July 19, 2022 11:53 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


        PLATO Weekly Update

        July 19, 2022


        CURRICULUM


        COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR COURSES

        Current COVID protocols for specific Host Locations for Summer Courses are listed in the Curriculum Showcase.

        SUMMER COURSES
        Find everything you need to know on the Summer Course Schedule page.

        FALL COURSES

        · On Tuesday, August 23, the Fall Course schedule will be posted to the Courses webpage and course enrollment begins that same day!

        · Fall courses start the week of September 19.

        COURSES PAGE


        SPECIAL EVENTS
         

        BREAKFAST GATHERING 
        Join us on Friday, August 12 at 9:30am at the UW Memorial Union Terrace. If rain is in the forecast, we will meet indoors – look for Host Sharon Scrattish in the glassed-in lobby to find out where our tables are located. Note – just to let you plan ahead – at our July 8 gathering we found there were no restaurants open but 15 of us shared Peet's Coffee and conversation at a crowded but friendly indoor round table. RSVP and learn more here, including parking tips!

        FIELD TRIP: REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
        On Wednesday, August 31, we’ll board a bus for a day in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin area. In the morning we will spend time at the beautiful Kohler-Andrae State Park followed with an afternoon visit to the new Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. Lunch will be on your own at Shops at Woodlake KohlerRegister, view photos, and learn more here.

        MARK YOUR CALENDAR
        Details coming soon! 

        Tuesday, October 4 – A Walk Through Forest Hill Cemetery lead by Bruce Gregg, longtime member of PLATO and of Historic Madison.

        Sunday, October 16 – a theater trip to see Titanic at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

        Plans are also in the works for a second field trip in late August/early September and another theater trip in November!

        LECTURES  
        Stay cool and entertained indoors watching archived PLATO Lectures.

        SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR


        FEATURED AGORA WORKS

        Visit The Agora Features webpage for highlights from this past season, created and curated by fellow PLATO members for your pleasure. 

        Our Biweekly Feature for July 12 – July 25 continues to be Kohlrabi, a poem by Kate Dike, who reflects on a joyful childhood summer memory.

        AGORA FEATURE


        SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

        Select from a range of topics and formats 

        for your Summer reading, viewing, or listening, 

        curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

        DID YOU KNOW? for July 19 – August 1

        Did You Know… Matthew Henson was an African American explorer best known as the co-discoverer of the North Pole in 1909 with Robert Edwin Peary. While Peary received much recognition for the accomplishment, Henson, as a black man, was largely ignored in press reports at the time. It took almost 30 years for him to receive the proper recognition.

        Born to Maryland sharecroppers in 1866, Henson was orphaned early and had to make his own way. He became a cabin boy on a ship where the captain mentored him in seamanship. Henson was working on land in a hat shop in Washington D.C. in 1887 when he met naval engineer and global explorer Robert Peary. Peary was impressed by Henson’s seafaring credentials and hired him as his valet for upcoming expeditions to Nicaragua, Greenland, and eventually the North Pole.

        Visit the Social Justice Webpage for more about Matthew Henson and past DID YOU KNOW? features..

        DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

        SOCIAL JUSTICE WEBPAGE


      • July 12, 2022 1:09 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


        PLATO Weekly Update

        July 12, 2022


        CURRICULUM

        COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR COURSES

        Current COVID protocols for specific Host Locations for Summer Courses are listed in the Curriculum Showcase.

        SUMMER COURSES
        Questions? Find answers on the Summer Course Schedule page.

        FALL COURSES
        Mark your calendar! 

        · On Tuesday, August 23, the Fall Course schedule will be posted to the Courses webpage and course enrollment begins that same day!

        · Fall courses start the week of September 19.

        LEARN MORE...
        Ever wonder how PLATO is able to offer so many great courses? For a behind-the-scenes peek, read this brief article: About the Curriculum Committee, posted in the Curriculum Showcase.

        COURSES PAGE 


        SPECIAL EVENTS 

        BREAKFAST GATHERING 
        NEXT MONTH!
         Join us on Friday, August 12 at 9:30am at the UW Memorial Union Terrace. If rain is in the forecast, we will meet indoors – look for Host Sharon Scrattish in the glassed-in lobby to find out where our tables are located. Note – just to let you plan ahead – at our July 8 gathering we found there were no restaurants open but 15 of us shared Peet's Coffee and conversation at a crowded but friendly indoor round table. RSVP and learn more here, including parking tips!

        SAVE THE DATES
        More details coming soon! 

        Wednesday, August 31 – A field trip to the Kohler-Andrae State Park and the Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan. 

        Tuesday, October 4 – A Walk Through Forest Hill Cemetery lead by Bruce Gregg, longtime member of PLATO and of Historic Madison.

        Sunday, October 16 – a theater trip to see Titanic at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

        Also in the works is a second field trip in late August/early September and another theater trip in November!

        LECTURES  
        Beat the summer heat indoors watching archived PLATO Lectures on many intriguing topics.

        SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 


        MEMBER FEATURE
        TIM OTIS DOES IT ALL

        MEMBER PROFILE 


        FEATURED AGORA WORKS

        Visit The Agora Features webpage for highlights from this past season, created and curated by fellow PLATO members for your pleasure. 

        Our Biweekly Feature for July 12 – July 25 continues to be Kohlrabi, a poem by Kate Dike, who reflects on a joyful childhood summer memory.

        AGORA FEATURE 


        SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

        Select from a range of topics and formats 

        for your Summer reading, viewing, or listening, 

        curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

        DID YOU KNOW? for July 5 – 18

        Did You Know… Ann Cole Lowe was the first African American to become a well-known fashion designer. Her designs were favored by high-society women, including members of the DuPont, Post, and Rockefeller families, well-known department stores like Henri Bendel, Nieman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue, and ‘fashionistas’ of the time from debutants to Oscar winners.

        Ann was born in Alabama in 1898 and grew up sewing like her grandmother and mother who were dressmakers. Ann’s fashion designs became recognized nationally in the 1920’s and stayed popular for more than four decades. Some of her most famous work was for the bride and bridesmaids in the 1953 wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier to then Senator John F. Kennedy. In 1968 Ann opened her Ann Lowe Originals boutique on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, becoming the first African American-owned business in the center of American fashion.

        Visit the Social Justice Webpage for more about Ann Cole Lowe and past DID YOU KNOW? features..

        DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

        SOCIAL JUSTICE WEBPAGE 


      • July 05, 2022 1:03 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


        PLATO Weekly Update 

        July 5, 2022


        CURRICULUM

        COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR COURSES

        Current COVID protocols for specific Host Locations for Summer Courses are listed in the Curriculum Showcase.

        SUMMER COURSES
        Find everything you need to know on the Summer Course Schedule page.

        FALL COURSES
        Mark your calendar! 

        · On Tuesday, August 23, the Fall Course schedule will be posted to the Courses webpage and course enrollment begins that same day!

        · Fall courses start the week of September 19.

        NEW! Check out the latest article, About the Curriculum Committee, posted in the Curriculum Showcase.

        COURSES PAGE 


        SPECIAL EVENTS 

        BREAKFAST GATHERING 
        THIS WEEK!
         Join us for this Friday’s breakfast gathering at the UW Memorial Union Terrace on July 8 beginning at 9:30. If rain is in the forecast, we will meet indoors – look for Host Sharon Scrattish in the glassed-in lobby to find out where our tables are located. RSVP and learn more here, including parking tips!

        SAVE THE DATES!
        October 4 – A Walk Through Forest Hill Cemetery lead by Bruce Gregg, longtime member of PLATO and of Historic Madison.

        October 16 – a theater trip to see Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s smash hit production of Titanic. Details are in the works and will be announced soon.

        Also in the planning stages are two field trips in late August or early September – stay tuned for details to come.

        LECTURES  
        As always, enjoy archived PLATO Lectures on an array of topics.

        SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 


        FEATURED AGORA WORKS

        Visit The Agora Features webpage for highlights from this past season, created and curated by fellow PLATO members for your pleasure. 

        Our Biweekly Feature for June 28 – July 11 is Kohlrabi, a poem by Kate Dike, who memorialized a joyful childhood memory in the act of writing this poem.

        AGORA FEATURE 


        SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

        Select from a range of topics and formats 

        for your Summer reading, viewing, or listening, 

        curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

        DID YOU KNOW? for July 5 – 18

        Did You Know… Ann Cole Lowe was the first African American to become a well-known fashion designer. Her designs were favored by high-society women, including members of the DuPont, Post, and Rockefeller families, well-known department stores like Henri Bendel, Nieman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue, and ‘fashionistas’ of the time from debutants to Oscar winners.

        Ann was born in Alabama in 1898 and grew up sewing like her grandmother and mother who were dressmakers. Ann’s fashion designs became recognized nationally in the 1920’s and stayed popular for more than four decades. Some of her most famous work was for the bride and bridesmaids in the 1953 wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier to then Senator John F. Kennedy. In 1968 Ann opened her Ann Lowe Originals boutique on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, becoming the first African American-owned business in the center of American fashion.

        Visit the Social Justice Webpage for more about Ann Cole Lowe and past DID YOU KNOW? features..

        DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

        SOCIAL JUSTICE WEBPAGE 

      • June 28, 2022 1:20 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


        PLATO Weekly Update

        June 28, 2022


        CURRICULUM

        COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR COURSES

        Current COVID protocols for specific Host Locations for Summer Courses are listed in the Curriculum Showcase.

        SUMMER COURSES
        Have a question about a Summer Course? Find everything you need to know on the Summer Course Schedule page.

        FALL COURSES
        Mark your calendar! 

        · On Tuesday, August 23, the Fall Course schedule will be posted to the Courses webpage and course enrollment begins that same day!

        · Fall courses start the week of September 19.

        COURSES PAGE


        SPECIAL EVENTS 

        Plans are underway to offer exciting events for the Fall season. Stay tuned to the Weekly Updates for more information to come.

        BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

        COMING SOON! On Friday, July 8 from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. take in the scenic view of Lake Mendota while enjoying coffee and conversation with fellow members outdoors at UW Memorial Union Terrace. If rain is in the forecast, we will meet indoors – look for Host Sharon Scrattish in the glassed-in lobby to find out where our tables are located. RSVP and learn more here, including parking tips!

        LECTURES  
        Pique your curiosity with archived PLATO Lectures on an array of topics.

        SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR


        FEATURED AGORA WORKS

        Visit The Agora Features webpage for highlights from this past season, created and curated by fellow PLATO members for your pleasure. 

        Our Biweekly Feature for June 28 – July 11 is Kohlrabi, a poem by Kate Dike, who memorialized a joyful childhood memory in the act of writing this poem.

        AGORA FEATURE


        SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS

        Select from a range of topics and formats 

        for your Summer reading, viewing, or listening, 

        curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee.

        DID YOU KNOW? for June 21 – July 4

        Did You Know… The 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Abdulrazak Gurnah who was born in Zanzibar, Tanzania and now teaches and writes in Canterbury, England. The Swedish Academy cited Gurnah for his "uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents”.

        Gurnah is the first Black writer to receive the Literature Nobel since Toni Morrison in 1993. Gurnah has written 10 novels, including 1994’s Paradise, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and 2001’s By the Sea, longlisted for the Booker. Gurnah’s writing has been noted for pushing back against previous Western takes on the African continent.

        Visit the Social Justice Webpage for more about Abdulrazak Gurnah and the titles of his novels plus past DID YOU KNOW? features..

        DID YOU KNOW? – spotlighting notable contributions made by non-mainstream individuals you might not have learned or read about. Suggestions for inclusions are welcome (send to Kathy at: ksmichaelis@gmail.com).

        SOCIAL JUSTICE WEBPAGE


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      for more information, contact us at:

      info@platomadison.org

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