PLATO Weekly Update

 April 15, 2025

ELECTION FOR PLATO BOARD 2025-26
Read the biographies for the nominees!

NEXT WEEK! PLATO's Board of Directors Election for 2025-26 will run from April 23 – May 7, 2025. Read about the nominees by clicking on the Nominee Biographies link below so you are ready to vote. The Nominating Committee thanks the members who agreed to be listed! Watch for a PLATO email next week, Wednesday, April 23, with your link to the Ballot. Voting will close on Wednesday, May 7, at midnight.

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Everything you need to know is available on the Courses webpage. 

SUMMER COURSES
NEXT MONTH! Registration for Summer Courses will open on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Most Summer Courses will begin the week of June 2.


COURSE UPDATE
There's been a change in the Film History schedule – the last date this course will meet for the Spring Term is next week Wednesday, April 23.

CURRICULUM SHOWCASE
NEW! Best-selling author Robert Kurson talks writing at the PLATO Writing Workshop on May 21 at 1pm – learn more in this brief article!

SPECIAL EVENTS

LECTURES

THIS WEEK! A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm at the Oakwood Village West Performing Arts Center. The Alt-Pinney Book Club will interview the award-winning author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams who is now based in Madison, Wisconsin. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

NEXT MONTH! Join us to learn about the science and technology involved in coffee production! Dr. Juan Rodrigo Sanz Uribe from UW-Madison will present Espresso Yourself: The Science & Art of Coffee, on May 1 from 1:30-3pm at Oakwood Village West's Nakoma/Westmoreland Room. Dr. Uribe will deliver his lecture virtually from the country of Colombia while participants gather in person to sample the wonderful flavors of Colombian coffee. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

COFFEE & BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

NEXT WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee Gathering on Friday, April 25, from 9:30-11:30am at the Rotunda Café. Note that Sue Ellerhost has replaced Catherine Masi to co-host these Fourth Friday events events along with Donaby Henton. Learn more and RSVP by contacting Sue or Donaby here.

NEXT MONTH! Catherine Masi has launched a new First Friday Breakfast Gathering at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road. The next event will be on Friday, May 2, from 9:00-11:00am. Learn more and RSVP here.

NATURE WALK
Registration is full – for the one-hour Nature Walk at Oakwood West on May 5 at 10am lead by Barb Littlewood which will be followed by a social hour with lemonade and cookies in the Oaks Community Room. Learn more and join the waitlist here.

FIELD TRIP
Registration is full – for the History & Heritage of Green Bay Tour on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 to uncover the rich history of the Oneida Nation and Green Bay topped off with a tour of Lambeau Field and a group lunch in the stadium! PLATO is partnering with the Verona Senior Center and UW Retirement Association on this travel opportunity. Learn more and join the waitlist here.  

REGISTRATION CONTINUES!

PLATO's 2025 Member Appreciation Annual Meeting

Members are invited to attend this lively social event which features keynote speaker John Stofflet, Local Broadcast Legend and 26-time Emmy Winner who will share anecdotes and challenges from his career as a newscaster. Enjoy light refreshments, the annual PLATO business meeting, door prizes and more! This is a complimentary event and members may invite a guest. Registration is required and will close on Friday, May 2. Learn more and register here.

PLATO Weekly Update

April 8, 2025

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

PLATO's 2025 Member Appreciation Annual Meeting

Members are invited to attend this lively social event which features keynote speaker John Stofflet, Local Broadcast Legend and 26-time Emmy Winner who will share anecdotes and challenges from his career as a newscaster. Enjoy light refreshments, the annual PLATO business meeting, door prizes and more! This is a complimentary event and members may invite a guest. Registration is required and will close on Friday, May 2. Learn more and register here.

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Everything you need to know is available on the Courses webpage. 

SUMMER COURSES
Registration for Summer Courses will open on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Most Summer Courses will begin the week of June 2.

Interested in offering a summer course? PLATO's Curriculum Committee created a Course Coordinator Toolkit to help get you started! Summertime is a great time to offer a new course because courses typically run just 4-6 weeks.

SPECIAL EVENTS

LECTURES

NEW! Join us to learn about the science and technology involved in coffee production! Dr. Juan Rodrigo Sanz Uribe from UW-Madison will present Espresso Yourself: The Science & Art of Coffee, on May 1 from 1:30-3pm at Oakwood Village West's Nakoma/Westmoreland Room. Dr. Uribe will deliver his lecture virtually from the country of Colombia while participants gather in person to sample the wonderful flavors of Colombian coffee. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

THIS WEEK! Slavery in "Free" Wisconsin Territory, 1800-1850 on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm at the Oakwood Village West Performing Arts Center. Using documentation gathered in the writing of her latest book Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi 1800-1850, historian and author Mary Elise Antoine will discuss the history of slavery in Wisconsin. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

NEXT WEEK! A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm at the Oakwood Village West Performing Arts Center. The Alt-Pinney Book Club will interview the award-winning author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams who is now based in Madison, Wisconsin. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

THIS WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy conversation, coffee and breakfast snacks with fellow members on Friday, April 11, at 9:30-11:30am at Lakeside Street Coffee House. A prominent stairway leads to the lower level where our group meets. Guests are welcome, so feel free to bring a friend who may be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

UPDATE! Sue Ellerhost is stepping up to replace Catherine Masi to co-host the Fourth Friday Coffee Gatherings along with Donaby Henton. The next event will be on Friday, April 25, from 9:30-11:30am at the Rotunda Café. Learn more and RSVP here.  

NEXT MONTH! Catherine Masi has launched a new First Friday Breakfast Gathering at The Pancake House on Gammon Road. The next event will be onFriday, May 2, from 9:00-11:00am. Learn more and RSVP here.

NATURE WALK
REGISTRATION IS FULL – for the one-hour Nature Walk at Oakwood West on May 5 at 10am lead by Barb Littlewood which will be followed by a social hour with lemonade and cookies in the Oaks Community Room. Learn more and join the waitlist here.

FIELD TRIP
REGISTRATION IS FULL –for the History & Heritage of Green Bay Tour on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 to uncover the rich history of the Oneida Nation and Green Bay topped off with a tour of Lambeau Field and a group lunch in the stadium! PLATO is partnering with the Verona Senior Center and UW Retirement Association on this travel opportunity. Learn more and join the waitlist here.  

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

Big thanks to the many PLATO members who submitted their work for consideration for inclusion in The Agora, Volume 9, which will be published in Fall 2025. With so many high-quality entries, this edition is sure to please!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats for your spring viewing or listening pleasure, curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for April 8 – 21, 2025

Dr. Patricia Bath (Nov. 4, 1942 – May 30, 2019) was a pioneer in the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Bath is recognized as the first Black woman physician to receive a medical patent as the inventor of the Laserphaco Probe, a device and technique to remove cataracts. It performed all steps of cataract removal: making the incision, destroying the lens and vacuuming out the fractured pieces. 

Visit the Social Justice page to read more about Dr. Patricia Bath and past DID YOU KNOW? Features.

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

PLATO Weekly Update

April 1, 2025

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

PLATO's 2025 Member Appreciation Annual Meeting

Members are invited to attend this lively social event which features keynote speaker John Stofflet, Local Broadcast Legend and 26-time Emmy Winner who will share anecdotes and challenges from his career as a newscaster. Enjoy light refreshments, the annual PLATO business meeting, door prizes and more! This is a complimentary event and members may invite a guest. Registration is required and will close on Friday, May 2. Learn more and register here.

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Have a question about a Spring Course? Find answers on the Courses webpage. 

SUMMER COURSES
Registration for Summer Courses will open on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Most Summer Courses will begin the week of June 2. Interested in offering a Summer Course? Read on for details...

COURSE COORDINATOR TOOLKIT

If you're interested in offering a new course, PLATO's Curriculum Committee created a Course Coordinator Toolkit to help get you started! Summertime is a great time to offer a new course because courses typically run just 4-6 weeks.

SPECIAL EVENTS

NEW! History & Heritage of Green Bay Tour on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Join us as we uncover the rich history of the Oneida Nation and Green Bay topped off with a tour of Lambeau Field and a group lunch in the stadium! PLATO is partnering with the Verona Senior Center  and UW Retirement Association on this travel opportunity. Registration deadline is Thursday, April 17. Learn more and register here.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

THIS WEEK! The very first First Friday Breakfast on the West Side! Join fellow PLATO members and guests for breakfast and conversation at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road. Held the first Friday of each month from 9:00-11:00am, the first event will be on Friday, April 4, 2025. This venue provides the comfort of a private dining room and the convenience of a large parking lot. Bring a friend! Like all Breakfast and Coffee Gatherings, everyone is responsible for their own tab. Learn more and RSVP here.

NEXT WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy conversation, coffee and breakfast snacks with fellow members on Friday, April 11 at 9:30-11:30am at Lakeside Street Coffee House. A prominent stairway leads to the lower level where our group meets. Guests are welcome, so feel free to bring a friend who may be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

WEBINAR

THIS WEEK! The Benefits of Strength Training for Life's Journey by Vivo on Friday, April 4 at 2:00pm. This one-hour webinar features a presentation by Dr. Katie Starr, PhD, RD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, followed by an interactive demo and Q&A session. This complimentary event requires registration to receive the Zoom link – the deadline is Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here. 

FIELD TRIPS

There are a few spots left for the Linden Cohousing Tour on Saturday April 5, 2025, at 10:00am. Fun fact: there are about 200 cohousing communities across the United States and Madison is home to four of them! Come learn how cooperative living can facilitate interaction among neighbors to provide social, practical, economic, and environmental benefits. This is a complimentary two-hour tour for PLATO members and their guests and registration is required by this Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here.

LECTURES

NEXT WEEK! Slavery in "Free" Wisconsin Territory, 1800-1850 on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. Using documentation gathered in the writing of her latest book Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi 1800-1850, historian and author Mary Elise Antoine will discuss the history of slavery in Wisconsin. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. The Alt-Pinney Book Club will interview the award-winning author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

NATURE WALK
REGISTRATION IS FULL – but you may join the waitlist for this one-hour walk through the Oakwood Nature Preserve lead by Barb Littlewood followed by a social hour with lemonade and cookies in the Oaks Community Room. Listening devices will be provided for all participants. Unfortunately, the trail is not accessible to people with disabilities. Learn more and join the waitlist here.

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

Big thanks to the many PLATO members who submitted their work for consideration for inclusion in The Agora, Volume 9, which will be published in Fall 2025. With so many high-quality entries, this edition is sure to please!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

PLATO Weekly Update

March 25, 2025

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Have a question about as Spring Course? Find answers on the Courses webpage. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The PLATO Travel Group's Spring Syllabus has had a few updates – find the revised syllabus posted on the Course Description webpage.

COURSE COORDINATOR TOOLKIT

Summertime is a great time to offer a new course because courses typically run just 4-6 weeks. Most Summer Courses begin the week of June 2. If you're wondering how to start planning a new course, PLATO's Curriculum Committee is here to help – find what you need in the Coordinator Toolkit. 

SPECIAL EVENTS

FIELD TRIPS

Join us for the Linden Cohousing Tour on Saturday April 5, 2025, at 10:00am. There are about 200 cohousing communities across the United States and Madison is home to four of them! Come learn how cooperative living can facilitate interaction among neighbors to provide social, practical, economic, and environmental benefits. This is a complimentary two-hour tour for PLATO members and their guests and registration is required by Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here.

NATURE WALK

NEW! Enjoy a leisurely one-hour walk through the Oakwood Nature Preserve lead by Barb Littlewood followed by a social hour with lemonade and cookies in the Oaks Community Room. Listening devices will be provided for all participants. Unfortunately, the trail is not accessible to people with disabilities. Registration is required and limited to 15 people. Learn more and register here.

LECTURES

A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. The Alt-Pinney Book Club will interview the award-winning author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

Slavery in "Free" Wisconsin Territory, 1800-1850 on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. Using documentation gathered in the writing of her latest book Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi 1800-1850, historian and author Mary Elise Antoine will discuss the history of slavery in Wisconsin. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

THIS WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee on March 28 from 9:30-11:30am at the Rotunda Café on Atwood Ave. Connect with fellow PLATO members over a cup of your favorite morning beverage. Feel free to bring a friend or family member who might be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

NEXT WEEK! The very first First Friday Breakfast on the West Side! Join fellow PLATO members and guests for breakfast and conversation at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road. Held the first Friday of each month from 9:00-11:00am, the first event will be on Friday, April 4, 2025. This venue provides the comfort of a private dining room and the convenience of a large parking lot. Bring a friend! Like all Breakfast and Coffee Gatherings, everyone is responsible for their own tab. Learn more and RSVP here.

WEBINAR

NEXT WEEK! The Benefits of Strength Training for Life's Journey by Vivo on Friday, April 4 at 2:00pm. This one-hour webinar features a presentation by Dr. Katie Starr, PhD, RD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, followed by an interactive demo and Q&A session. This complimentary event requires registration to receive the Zoom link – the deadline is Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here. 

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

Big thanks to the many PLATO members who submitted their work for consideration for inclusion in The Agora, Volume 9, which will be published in Fall 2025. With so many high-quality entries, this edition is sure to please!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

PLATO Weekly Update

March 18, 2025

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Find everything you need to know about Spring Courses on the Courses webpage. The Curriculum Committee hopes you are enjoying the opportunity to participate in one or more Spring courses!

ANNOUNCEMENTS
The PLATO Travel Group's Spring Syllabus has had a few updates – find the revised syllabus posted on the Course Description webpage.

SUMMER COURSES
Spread your wings and offer a course this summer! Summertime is a great time to offer a new course, maybe even for the first time, because courses typically run just 4-6 weeks. Most Summer Courses begin the week of June 2. If you're wondering how to start planning a new course, PLATO's Curriculum Committee is here to help – find what you need in the Coordinator Toolkit. 

SPECIAL EVENTS

FIELD TRIPS

NEW! East Troy Railroad and Yerkes Observatory Tour on Monday, May 12, 2025. The first half features a tour of the historic Yerkes Observatory with pre-tour remarks by Jim Lattis, who holds a Ph.D. in History of Science from UW–Madison and helped create UW Space Place. The second half includes a group lunch aboard a two-hour train ride on the East Troy Electric Railroad with guide and conductor, Evan Richards. The registration deadline is Tuesday, March 25 and seats are going fast, so register today! Learn more and register here.

Spring into Spring Tour in the Janesville area on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Flower and nature enthusiasts will enjoy the expansive Rotary Botanical Gardens and the K&W Greenery and their gift shops! We'll also tour the Milton House – Wisconsin's only certified Underground Railroad site. And there will be a group lunch at an Italian restaurant and a surprise stop. The registration deadline is this Friday, March 21, 2025! Learn more and register here.

NEXT MONTH! Join us for the Linden Cohousing Tour on Saturday April 5, 2025, at 10:00am. There are about 200 cohousing communities across the United States and Madison is home to four of them! Come learn how cooperative living can facilitate interaction among neighbors to provide social, practical, economic, and environmental benefits.This is a complimentary two-hour tour for PLATO members and their guests and registration is required. Learn more and register here.

LECTURES

Slavery in "Free" Wisconsin Territory, 1800-1850 on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. Using documentation gathered in the writing of her latest book Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi 1800-1850, historian and author Mary Elise Antoine will discuss the history of slavery in Wisconsin. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. The Alt-Pinney Book Club will interview the award-winning author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

Enjoy recorded PLATO Lectures on important and interesting topics.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

NEXT WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee on March 28 from 9:30-11:30am at the Rotunda Café on Atwood Ave. Connect with fellow PLATO members over a cup of your favorite morning beverage. Feel free to bring a friend or family member who might be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

NEXT MONTH! The very first First Friday Breakfast on the West Side! Join fellow PLATO members and guests for breakfast and conversation at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road. Held the first Friday of each month from 9:00-11:00am, the first event will be on Friday, April 4, 2025. This venue provides the comfort of a private dining room and the convenience of a large parking lot. Bring a friend! Like all Breakfast and Coffee Gatherings, everyone is responsible for their own tab. Learn more and RSVP here.

WEBINAR

The Benefits of Strength Training for Life's Journey by Vivo on Friday, April 4 at 2:00pm. This one-hour webinar features a presentation by Dr. Katie Starr, PhD, RD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, followed by an interactive demo and Q&A session. This complimentary event requires registration to receive the Zoom link – the deadline is Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here. 

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

Big thanks to the many PLATO members who submitted their work for consideration for inclusion in The Agora, Volume 9, which will be published in Fall 2025. With more than 70 high-quality entries, this edition is sure to please!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats for your winter viewing or listening pleasure, curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for March 11 – 24, 2025

Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950) was an American physician who pioneered the storage of blood plasma in blood banks in the United States and Great Britain during the early years of World War II. Drew resigned his posts in 1942 as an act of protest of the decision of the armed forces who ruled that African American blood would be accepted but would need to be stored separately from the blood of whites.

PLATO Weekly Update

March 11, 2025

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Agora, Volume 9 deadline is this Friday, March 14, 2025

PLATO members are invited to submit original works for the 2025 edition of The Agora in the following categories: Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction (including essays) and Visual Arts (painting, sculpture, drawing and photography). 

Learn more about The Agora and the submission process here. The Agora Board looks forward to sharing the talents of PLATO members through this journal!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Have a question about a Spring Course? Find the answer on the Courses webpage. The Curriculum Committee hopes you are enjoying the opportunity to participate in one or more Spring courses!

SUMMER COURSES
Spread your wings and offer a course this summer! Summertime is an ideal time to offer a new course, or maybe your very first course! PLATO's Curriculum Committee is here to help – whether you're a new or existing coordinator, find what you need in the Coordinator Toolkit.

SPECIAL EVENTS

THEATER TRIPS

REMINDER – The Woman in Black – this Sunday, March 16, 2025. Registered guests may review trip details here.

REMINDER – The Craic – this Sunday, March 16, 2025. Registered guests may review trip details here.

FIELD TRIPS

REMINDER – History & Art Tour with a Vintage Flair! – next Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Registered guests may review trip details here.

NEW REGISTRATION DEADLINE – Spring into Spring Tour in the Janesville area on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Flower and nature enthusiasts will enjoy the expansive Rotary Botanical Gardens and the K&W Greenery and their gift shops! We'll also tour the Milton House – Wisconsin's only certified Underground Railroad site. And there will be a group lunch at an Italian restaurant and a surprise stop. The registration deadline has been extended to Friday, March 21, 2025. Learn more and register here.

Linden Cohousing Tour on Saturday April 5, 2025, at 10:00am. There are about 200 cohousing communities across the United States and Madison is home to four of them! Come learn how cooperative living can facilitate interaction among neighbors to provide social, practical, economic, and environmental benefits.This is a complimentary tour for PLATO members and their guests and registration is required. Learn more and register here.

LECTURES

Slavery in "Free" Wisconsin Territory, 1800-1850 on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. Using documentation gathered in the writing of her latest book Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi 1800-1850, historian and author Mary Elise Antoine will discuss the history of slavery in Wisconsin. Registration is not required for this lecture, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

NEW! A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin on Thursday, April 17, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. PLATO's Alt-Pinney Book Club will interview the award-winning author of The Immortalists and The Anatomy of Dreams. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

Enjoy recorded PLATO Lectures on important and interesting topics.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

THIS WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy conversation, coffee and breakfast snacks with fellow members on Friday, March 14 at 9:30-11:30am at Lakeside Street Coffee House. A prominent stairway leads to the lower level where our group meets. Guests are welcome, so feel free to bring a friend who may be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

NEXT MONTH! Our very first First Friday Breakfast on the West Side!

Join fellow PLATO members and guests for breakfast and conversation at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road. Held the first Friday of each month from 9:00-11:00am, the first event will be on Friday, April 4, 2025. This venue provides the comfort of a private dining room and the convenience of a large parking lot. Bring a friend! Like all Breakfast and Coffee Gatherings, everyone is responsible for their own tab. Learn more and RSVP here.

WEBINAR

The Benefits of Strength Training for Life's Journey by Vivo on Friday, April 4 at 2:00pm. This one-hour webinar features a presentation by Dr. Katie Starr, PhD, RD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, followed by an interactive demo and Q&A session. This complimentary event requires registration to receive the Zoom link – the deadline is Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here. 

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats for your winter viewing or listening pleasure, curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for March 11 – 24, 2025

Charles Richard Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950) was an American physician who pioneered the storage of blood plasma in blood banks in the United States and Great Britain during the early years of World War II. Drew resigned his posts in 1942 as an act of protest of the decision of the armed forces who ruled that African American blood would be accepted but would need to be stored separately from the blood of whites.

Visit the Social Justice page to read more about Charles Richard Drew, and past DID YOU KNOW? Features.

PLATO Weekly Update

March 4, 2025

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
The Agora, Volume 9 deadline is next Friday, March 14, 2025

PLATO members are invited to submit original works for the 2025 edition of The Agora in the following categories: Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction (including essays) and Visual Arts (painting, sculpture, drawing and photography). 

Learn more about The Agora and the submission process here. The Agora Board looks forward to sharing the talents of PLATO members through this journal!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Have a question about a Spring Course? Find the answer on the Courses webpage. The Curriculum Committee hopes you are enjoying the opportunity to participate in one or more Spring courses!

COURSE COORDINATOR TOOLKIT
Have an idea for a course you would like to lead? PLATO's Curriculum Committee is here to help you get started. Whether you're a new or existing coordinator, find what you need in the Coordinator Toolkit.

SPECIAL EVENTS

FIELD TRIPS

REGISTER TODAY – only a few spots remain for the Spring into Spring Tour in the Janesville area on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Flower and nature enthusiasts will enjoy the expansive Rotary Botanical Gardens and the K&W Greenery and their gift shops! We'll also tour the Milton House – Wisconsin's only certified Underground Railroad site. And there will be a group lunch at an Italian restaurant and a surprise stop. The registration deadline is next Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Learn more and register here.

NEW! Linden Cohousing Tour on Saturday April 5, 2025, at 10:00am. There are about 200 cohousing communities across the United States and Madison is home to four of them! Come learn how cooperative living can facilitate interaction among neighbors to provide social, practical, economic, and environmental benefits. This is a complimentary tour for PLATO members and their guests and registration is required. Learn more and register here.

LECTURES

NEW! Slavery in "Free" Wisconsin Territory, 1800-1850 on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 1:30-3:00pm. Using documentation gathered in the writing of her latest book Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi 1800-1850, historian and author Mary Elise Antoine will discuss the history of slavery in Wisconsin. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR with this upcoming lecture:

– Thursday, April 17, A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin!

Also, recorded PLATO Lectures are available 24/7 for your learning pleasure.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

NEW! Announcing... First Friday Breakfasts on the West Side!

Join fellow PLATO members and guests for breakfast and conversation at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road. Held the first Friday of each month from 9:00-11:00am, the first event will be on Friday, April 4, 2025. This venue provides the comfort of a private dining room and the convenience of a large parking lot. Bring a friend! Like other Breakfast and Coffee Gatherings, everyone is responsible for their own tab. Learn more and RSVP here.

NEXT WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy conversation, coffee and breakfast snacks with fellow members on Friday, March 14 at 9:30-11:30am at Lakeside Street Coffee House. A prominent stairway leads to the lower level where our group meets. Guests are welcome, so feel free to bring a friend who may be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

WEBINAR

NEW! The Benefits of Strength Training for Life's Journey by Vivo on Friday, April 4 at 2:00pm. This one-hour webinar features a presentation by Dr. Katie Starr, PhD, RD, Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine, followed by an interactive demo and Q&A session. This complimentary event requires registration to receive the Zoom link – the deadline is Thursday, April 3. Learn more and register here. 

MEMBER APPRECIATION ANNUAL MEETING 

Registration for this complimentary event will open on April 1! Local Broadcast Legend John Stofflet, a 26-time Emmy winner, will give the keynote presentation titled Anecdotes & Challenges from My Career as a Newscaster on Wednesday, May 14 from 2:00-4:00pm at the East Side Club on Monona Drive.

PLATO Weekly Update

 February 25, 2025

NEW! Local Broadcast Legend John Stofflet, a 26-time Emmy winner, will give the keynote presentation at PLATO's Member Appreciation Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 14 from 2:00-4:00pm at the East Side Club on Monona Drive. Registration for this complimentary event will open on April 1.

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
Spring Courses are underway! Some courses may still have space – find the Spring Course Schedule on the Courses webpage and contact the course coordinator to register. 

The Curriculum Committee hopes you are enjoying the opportunity to participate in one or more of these courses!

SPECIAL EVENTS

FIELD TRIPS

NEW! Spring into Spring Tour in the Janesville area on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Visit the fabulous Rotary Botanical Gardens, and the K&W Greenery, shop in their gift shops and partake in the Milton House Tour – Wisconsin's only certified Underground Railroad site. There will also be a group lunch at an Italian restaurant and a surprise stop. The registration deadline is Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Learn more and register here.

LECTURES

THIS WEEK! The Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Thursday, February 27, 2025, with bestselling author Rochelle Pennington. This lecture will explore the fascinating story of the events that lead up to the tragic loss of the ship and its 29 crew members. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR with these upcoming lectures:

– Thursday, April 10, Slavery in "Free" Wisconsin Territory, 1800-1850

– Thursday, April 17, A Conversation with Chloe Benjamin!

Pique your curiosity with recorded PLATO Lectures offered by fellow PLATO members and their special guest presenters.

COFFEE GATHERING

THIS WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee on February 28 from 9:30-11:30am at the Rotunda Café on Atwood Ave. Connect with fellow PLATO members over a cup of your favorite morning beverage. Feel free to bring a friend or family member who might be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

THE AGORA
The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS for The Agora, Volume 9 
PLATO members are invited to submit original works for the 2025 edition of The Agora in the following categories: Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction (including essays) and Visual Arts (painting, sculpture, drawing and photography). 

This is a blind juried review and the submission deadline is Friday, March 14, 2025. Learn more about The Agora and the submission process here. The Agora Board looks forward to sharing the talents of PLATO members through this journal!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats for your winter viewing or listening pleasure, curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for February 25 – March 10, 2025

Visit the Social Justice page to read more about Literacy Network, PLATO's Education Fund, and past DID YOU KNOW? Features.

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

PLATO Weekly Update 

February 18, 2025

CURRICULUM

SPRING COURSES
NEW! Most Spring Courses begin this week and some still have space with in-person, virtual and hybrid options. Find the Spring Course Schedule on the Courses webpage and contact the course coordinator to register.

Here are five Spring Courses that still have space:

– Mondays, 1:00-3:00pm, Novels Old and New

– Tuesdays, 1:00-3:30pm, History of the Hollywood Musical

– Wednesdays, 10:00-11:00am, Buddhist Mindfulness: How To Do It; How To Understand It

– Thursdays, 1:00-3:00pm, Writing Workshop

– Fridays, 10:00am-12:00pm, PLATO Travel Group

SPECIAL EVENTS

LECTURES

NEXT WEEK! The Sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Thursday, February 27, 2025, with bestselling author Rochelle Pennington. This lecture will explore the fascinating story of the events that lead up to the tragic loss of the ship and its 29 crew members. Registration is not required, parking is free, and guests are welcome. Learn more here.

Learn something new with recorded PLATO Lectures offered by fellow PLATO members and their special guest presenters.

FIELD TRIPS

The registration deadline is Noon on Friday, February 21. History & Art Tour with a Vintage Flair!  – Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Since its inception, Beloit has seen nearly 180 years of American history unfold playing a role as a way station on the Underground Railroad and actively participating during the Industrial Revolution thanks to the ingenuity of its citizens. Enjoy the gems of this city located just 55 miles south of Madison! Space is limited so learn more and register today!

NEXT WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee on February 28 from 9:30-11:30am at the Rotunda Café on Atwood Ave. Connect with fellow PLATO members over a cup of your favorite morning beverage. Feel free to bring a friend or family member who might be interested in PLATO! Learn more and RSVP here.

HELP SPREAD THE WORD
Please forward this email to a family member or friend!

Word of mouth is PLATO's best advertising – please forward this email to someone who might enjoy PLATO's courses, trips, lectures, and other special events. Also, check out this list of 10 Ways to Tell Others about PLATO.

THE AGORA

The Agora, PLATO’s literary and arts journal, 
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS for The Agora, Volume 9 
PLATO members are invited to submit original works for the 2025 edition of The Agora in the following categories: Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction (including essays) and Visual Arts (painting, sculpture, drawing and photography). 

This is a blind juried review and the submission deadline is Friday, March 14, 2025. Learn more about The Agora and the submission process here. The Agora Board looks forward to sharing the talents of PLATO members through this journal!

To view highlights from this past season, visit The Agora Features.

SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS & READINGS
Select from a range of topics and formats for your winter viewing or listening pleasure, curated by PLATO's Diversity Awareness Committee. 

DID YOU KNOW? for February 11 – 24, 2025

J. Ernest Wilkins Jr. (1923-2011) was a pioneering African American mathematician, physicist, and educator who worked at the University of Chicago Met Lab during the Manhattan Project. Wilkins was a child prodigy who completed his mathematics undergrad degree at 17 years old and his master's degree the following year. Later in his career he researched methods for producing fissionable nuclear materials – plutonium-239 in particular. He did not learn the purpose of his research until after the atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.

Visit the Social Justice page to read more about J. Ernest Wilkins Jr. and past DID YOU KNOW? Features.

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