PLATO Weekly Update

April 23, 2024

ELECTION FOR PLATO 2024-25 BOARD
Begins Wednesday, April 24

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 tomorrow, Wednesday, April 24, with your link to the Ballot. Voting will close on Wednesday, May 8, at midnight.

CURRICULUM

SPECIAL EVENTS

SPRING WALKS
NEXT WEEK! Join us for our rescheduled walk at Donald County Park on Thursday, May 2, from 9am – 11:30am. Ken Bradbury, a retired geologist, and Donna Thomas, a member of the Friends Group, will be our docents. Registration is required. If you were registered for this walk previously, which was cancelled due to rain, you will need to re-register. Learn more and register here.

COFFEE GATHERING
THIS WEEK! Fourth Friday Coffee on April 26 from 9:30-11:30am at the Rotunda Café on Madison's near east side. Enjoy the company of fellow PLATO members over a cup of coffee or tea. Learn more and RSVP here.

THEATER TRIP
NEXT MONTH! Nina Simone: Four Women – Join us for this matinee on Sunday, May 5 at 2pm at The Milwaukee Rep. This play shines a light on how Nina Simone, a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and pianist found her true calling and gave voice to the Civil Rights movement through impactful and inspirational songs. There are still some seats available! Learn more and register here. Also, see the Did You Know feature under the Social Justice and Readings section below to learn more about Nina Simone, a phenom who is ranked No. 21 on Rolling Stones’ list of 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.

LECTURES
In the spirit of Earth Day, check out new recorded PLATO Lectures. Recent guest presenters in the Pathways to a Sustainable Planet course included Dr. Terri Allendorf and Curt Meine in lectures on the topic of community land conservation.

REGISTRATION CLOSES THIS FRIDAY
PLATO Member Appreciation Lunch & Annual Meeting
This is a complimentary event and members may invite a guest!

Members are invited to attend this this lively social event which features keynote speaker Charles Franklin, Director of the Marquette Law School Poll on the topic of The Outlook for the 2024 Elections in Wisconsin and the Nation. Enjoy lunch, the annual PLATO business meeting, door prizes and more! Registration is required and will close on Friday, April 26. Learn more and register here.

THE AGORA FEATURES
PLATO's Literary & Fine Arts Journal, The Agora,
celebrates members’ creativity and diversity of thought

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

This Month's Featured Offering is Papa's Barn, an acrylic painting by Joanna Kutter, created in memory of her dear father and his dream of being a farmer. 

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

DID YOU KNOW? for April 16 – 29, 2024 

Nina Simone (February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003) was born to black parents in North Carolina during the Jim Crow era. Simone was a piano prodigy who performed classical concerts by age 12. The Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and pianist was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. Simone is ranked No. 21 on Rolling Stones’ list of 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Visit the Social Justice page for more about Nina Simone 
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).