PLATO upcoming events

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.

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.

Nature Walk at Pheasant Branch Conservancy (June 11, 2026)

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Free to PLATO members and guests

Registration Required

Join Pheasant Branch Conservancy President Hans Hilbert as we explore some of the most unique land features in the Conservancy. We’ll discuss human history, ecology, watershed dynamics, and the impacts that development around Pheasant Branch continue to have on the Conservancy. We will also highlight the Friend’s successes in prairie establishment and habitat improvement.

Our walk will include a visit to the Springs and an overview of the newly acquired 160- acre Acker Parcel designed to a Platinum quality prairie and wetlands that will “significantly reduce stormwater volume improve water quality.

The Walk

This 2 1/2 hour walk and presentation will cover about a 2 1/2 mile stretch of the Conservatory. The walk is on mostly flat or slightly rolling trails. We may climb a hill to better view the newly added farm land. Following the formal walk, you are welcome to explore the Conservancy on your own or join members of the group for coffee and relaxation at a local café.

About the Conservancy

Pheasant Branch Conservancy consists of 842 acres owned by three partners: Dane County Parks, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the City of Middleton. The Conservancy consists of upland oak savanna and lowland wetland prairies. The uplands are known for their diverse prairie and mature hardwood stands. The lowlands are traversed by Pheasant Branch Creek. With its headwaters in the Town of Springfield and Town of Middleton, Pheasant Branch flows through the City of Middleton and the newly acquired (and recontoured) 160 acre farm, into the Pheasant Branch Marsh which provides millions of gallons of water to Lake Mendota and the Yahara Chain of Lakes.

Additional Information: Several maps of the conservancy are available at the Friends of Pheasant Branch website: http://www.pheasantbranch.org/

Accessibility: A 2 1/2 mile walk along a graded path makes this walk one of the more accessible we'll offer this year. The route may involve a few small hills to view newly added prairie.

Microphone: Our leader will have a microphone along to assist in delivering his message clearly as possible.

Driving and Parking Information: We will use the parking lot at Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd, Middleton, WI 53562.

For further information, contact PLATO trip leader, Mike Dilorio at mdiiorio@tds.net or 608-520-4448.

2nd Friday of the Month Coffee (June 12, 2026)

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Meets every 2nd Friday in the summer

at the Memorial Union!

Where: Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street
Day: Meets on the second Friday of each month

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Drinks/Food: Peet’s Coffee will be open with bakery and snacks. At 11 or 12 the hot dog stand and other venues will be open.
Place: Outside at the terrace. Look for us in the outdoor area behind the Der Rathskellar restaurant. In case of rain we will meet in the large glassed in room near the terrace.
Parking: Best parking is the State Street Campus Garage located at 430 N Frances Street. Two ramps, near each other, are available. It is about a 2 block walk to the Union.
Organizer: Sharon Scrattish
RSVP or Questions?: Let Sharon know you're coming the Thursday before the breakfast by email or phone (sscratti@gmail.com or 608-280-8050)
COVID Protocol: Wear a mask to the event if you prefer.

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.

2nd Friday of the Month Coffee (July 10, 2026)

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Meets every 2nd Friday in the summer

at the Memorial Union!

Where: Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street
Day: Meets on the second Friday of each month

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Drinks/Food: Peet’s Coffee will be open with bakery and snacks. At 11 or 12 the hot dog stand and other venues will be open.
Place: Outside at the terrace. Look for us in the outdoor area behind the Der Rathskellar restaurant. In case of rain we will meet in the large glassed in room near the terrace.
Parking: Best parking is the State Street Campus Garage located at 430 N Frances Street. Two ramps, near each other, are available. It is about a 2 block walk to the Union.
Organizer: Sharon Scrattish
RSVP or Questions?: Let Sharon know you're coming the Thursday before the breakfast by email or phone (sscratti@gmail.com or 608-280-8050)
COVID Protocol: Wear a mask to the event if you prefer.

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.

2nd Friday of the Month Coffee (August 14, 2026)

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Meets every 2nd Friday in the summer

at the Memorial Union!

Where: Memorial Union, 800 Langdon Street
Day: Meets on the second Friday of each month

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Drinks/Food: Peet’s Coffee will be open with bakery and snacks. At 11 or 12 the hot dog stand and other venues will be open.
Place: Outside at the terrace. Look for us in the outdoor area behind the Der Rathskellar restaurant. In case of rain we will meet in the large glassed in room near the terrace.
Parking: Best parking is the State Street Campus Garage located at 430 N Frances Street. Two ramps, near each other, are available. It is about a 2 block walk to the Union.
Organizer: Sharon Scrattish
RSVP or Questions?: Let Sharon know you're coming the Thursday before the breakfast by email or phone (sscratti@gmail.com or 608-280-8050)
COVID Protocol: Wear a mask to the event if you prefer.

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.