PLATO Weekly Update

April 29, 2025

MEMBER APPRECIATION ANNUAL MEETING

THIS WEEK! The deadline to register is this Friday, May 2. This lively social event 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. Find event and registration details here – including the list of door prizes!

CURRICULUM

SUMMER COURSES
NEXT WEEK! Registration for Summer Courses will open on Tuesday, May 6, and most will begin the week of June 2. Courses will vary in length ranging from 3-10 weeks with in-person and virtual offerings. With 12 courses to choose from, something is sure to please! Course Schedules are always announced here in the Tuesday Weekly Update and on the Courses webpage.

SPECIAL EVENTS

LECTURES

THIS WEEK! 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 Thursday, 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.

Quench your curiosity with past recordings of PLATO Lectures on a variety of timely topics offered by members and local, national and international speakers.

 FIELD TRIPS

Celebrate the advent of summer with the Circus, Stage and Sips Tour on Thursday, June 19, 2025. This Sauk County adventure will include visits to three destinations: Circus World Museum, AL. Ringling Theatre, and Wollersheim Winery! Organized by PLATO, there will be three pick-up stops in Madison: East Towne Sears, Capital Lakes, and Oakwood Village University Woods. The registration deadline is Sunday, June 1, 2025. Learn more and register here.

BREAKFAST GATHERINGS

THIS WEEK! First Friday Breakfast Gathering at the Pancake Café on Gammon Road on Friday, May 2, from 9:00-11:00am. Enjoy good food and conversation with fellow PLATO members. Learn more and RSVP here.

NEXT WEEK! Second Friday Breakfast – enjoy conversation, coffee and breakfast snacks with fellow members on Friday, May 9 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.

NATURE WALK

REMINDER – Nature Walk at Oakwood West on May 5 at 10am followed by a social hour with lemonade and cookies in the Oaks Community Room. This event is full – find event details here.

ELECTION FOR PLATO 2025-26 BOARD
Voting is underway and will close on May 7 at midnight

Read about the nominees by clicking on the Nominee Biographies link below and then cast your vote with the provided link. Note that you will need to login and there is a "forgot password" button if needed. The Nominating Committee thanks the members who agreed to be listed as nominees as well as those who have already voted!

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 22 – May 5, 2025

Visit the Social Justice page to read more about Lussier Community Education Center, 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).