PLATO upcoming events

1st Friday Breakfast on the West Side (May 01, 2026)

Fri, 01 May 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Where? Panera Bread, 601 Junction Road, Madison, WI

When? Meets on the first Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

What? Breakfast with friends, old and new. To view the menu go to https://www.panerabread.com/en-us/menu.html.

Directions: Located 1.5 blocks south of Old Sauk Road on Junction Road.

Parking: There is plenty of parking in the adjacent parking lot. No stairs!

Organizer: Catherine Masi

RSVP or Questions? Email Catherine at catherine.masi@gmail.com by the Thursday before the breakfast to let her know you are coming. Also email her if you have any questions.

2nd Friday Breakfast at Lakeside St. Coffee House (May 08, 2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Meets every 2nd Friday!

Where: Lakeside Street Coffee House
When: Meets on the second Friday of each month
Time: 9:30 am to 11:30 am
A prominent stairway leads to the lower level where our group meets.
The menu changes daily. To find out today's menu, please call the restaurant directly - 608 441-7599
Place: Lakeside St. Coffee House, 402 W. Lakeside St., Madison
Directions are pictured on the map below
Parking: Street Parking
Organizer: Sharon Scrattish
RSVP or Questions?: If you are new to the Lakeside Coffee gathering please RSVP Sharon by email or phone (sscratti@gmail.com or 608-280-8050)

PLATO's 2026 Member Appreciation Annual Meeting (May 13, 2026)

Wed, 13 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

* * * CLICK HERE TO REGISTER * * *

Registration is required and members may bring a guest – Registration deadline is Friday, May 1, 2026

This complimentary social event for PLATO members and their guests will take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 2:00-4:00pm at The East Side Club located on Monona Drive.

Enjoy light refreshments, social opportunities, committee updates, door prizes, and a fascinating keynote presentation by Dr. Henrik M. Schatzinger. The title of his presentation will be Hidden Money, Visible Power: Super PACs and Dark Money in Wisconsin Politics.

Dr. Schatzinger is Professor of Political Science at Ripon College and Director of the Center for Politics and the People. He grew up in Germany and came to the United States in 2001 as a Fulbright Scholar, later becoming a naturalized citizen. His work examines campaigns and campaign finance, interest groups, and lobbying, with emphasis on how money, incentives, and institutional pressure shape participation and governing outcomes. His perspective reflects a dual vantage point. He approaches American politics with both critical distance and lived commitment, and he translates institutional mechanics into clear explanations for broad audiences. He co-authored Game Changers, a book on how Super PACs and dark money are transforming U.S. campaigns. He is the author of the forthcoming Cambridge University Press book Super PACs in the City, which explains how outside money is reshaping local elections – PLATO members may access an overview of this book here.

Dr. Schatzinger also serves as a political analyst for state, national, and international media. His television commentary includes BBC News, C-SPAN, Spectrum News, and WBAY-TV, along with full-length programs on WisconsinEye. His print and online interviews include Newsweek, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, La Libre in Belgium, and Jiji Press in Japan, and his radio interviews include National Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Radio. Since 2016, he has convened and moderated more than 120 public forums through the Center for Politics and the People, featuring nearly 300 speakers and panelists, many of which are live-streamed on WisconsinEye.

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Schedule of Events

1:30pm – Doors Open for Early Check-in & Social Time

2:00pm – Check-in & Social Time Continue

2:15pm – Welcome & Introductions

2:30pm – PLATO Business Meeting

2:45pm – Keynote: Hidden Money, Visible Power: Super PACs and Dark Money in Wisconsin Politics, by Dr. Henrik M. Schatzinger, introduced by Barbara Drake

3:35pm – Door Prizes

3:55pm – Closing Message

4:00pm – Social Time for those who want to linger + open cash bar for a variety of beverage choices during Happy Hour

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Door Prizes

PLATO One-Year Membership for current member ($60 value)

PLATO One-Year Membership for new member ($60 value)

Gift Certificate toward PLATO Theater/Bus Trip ($50 value)

Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. Gift Certificate ($25 value)

(2) Pasture and Plenty Gift Certificates ($25 value each)

Ingeni Coffee & Tea Maker with Three Tea Sampler Bundle from Burman Coffee Traders ($35 value)

Wisconsin State Capitol 2025 Ornament ($25 value)

(2) Hand-Blown Glass Tumblers ($50 value)

––> This list will be updated as more prizes come in!

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Driving & Parking Directions

This event will be held at the East Side Club located at:

3735 Monona Drive, Madison, Wi 53714 – click here for Google Map.

The East Side Club has convenient, free parking in the parking lot in front of their building and ADA accessible facilities.

Cancellations? Contact Stephanie at info@platomadison.org.

Questions? Contact Stephanie at info@platomadison.org.

3rd Friday Lunch on the East Side (May 15, 2026)

Fri, 15 May 2026 16:30:00 GMT

3rd Friday Lunch on the East Side at Great Dane East

Where? Great Dane East, 876 Juniper Drive, Madison

When? Meets on the third Friday of each month from 11:30-1:30

What? Lunch with friends, old and new. To view the menu go to https://www.greatdanepub.com/menu/. You will pay with your own check with gratuity at your own discretion.

Directions: Entrance is a few hundred feet from Cottage Grove Road and conveniently located on Madison Metro's Route C.

Parking: There is plenty of parking in the adjacent parking lot. No stairs!

Organizer: Sue Ellerhorst

RSVP is required because we are limited to 24 or fewer. Email Sue at nana@orcagranny.com by the Wednesday before the lunch to let her know you are coming. Also email her if you have any questions.

4th Friday of the Month Coffee (May 22, 2026)

Fri, 22 May 2026 14:30:00 GMT

COFFEE GATHERING

Make new friends and meet new PLATO members over a cup of coffee and breakfast snacks.

The Rotunda Cafe, 1965 Atwood Avenue on Madison's near east side

Meet on Fourth Friday of each month

Time: 9:30 am to 11:30 am
Place: Rotunda Cafe, lobby of Lake Ridge Bank, formerly Monona Bank
Ambiance: With a unique, large seating area, The Rotunda Cafe is an attractive rotunda in what was once the Monona Bank building at Schenks Corners. Great ambiance with pleasant, soothing background music.
Place order at counter, bus own table
Food choices are limited but do include breakfast burritos and doughnuts

Parking: (see below)
RSVP or Questions? Email Sue Ellerhost at luvcetaceans@gmail.com or Donaby Henton at aiexplorer125@gmail.com by Wednesday so they know you are coming.
COVID Protocol: Please continue to use a mask if you desire

Parking Options:

Street parking is available on either side of the bank, on Atwood and on Winnebago and further down both streets.
Parking is also available at Trinity Lutheran Church, 904 Winnebago St. Please note: The church requests a small good will donation which will be used to benefit a local neighborhood fund. We will periodically request a few dollars donation for this from our members who use the lot.
Parking is also available in the lot behind United Way, 2059 Atwood Ave. Drive all the way in to the unmarked spaces toward the back of the lot.

1st Friday Breakfast on the West Side (June 05, 2026)

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Where? Panera Bread, 601 Junction Road, Madison, WI

When? Meets on the first Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

1st Friday Breakfast on the West Side (July 03, 2026)

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Where? Panera Bread, 601 Junction Road, Madison, WI

When? Meets on the first Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

1st Friday Breakfast on the West Side (August 07, 2026)

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Where? Panera Bread, 601 Junction Road, Madison, WI

When? Meets on the first Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

1st Friday Breakfast on the West Side (September 04, 2026)

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Where? Panera Bread, 601 Junction Road, Madison, WI

When? Meets on the first Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.