PLATO upcoming events

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

Wed, 13 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE WAITLIST

This event is now full – please click the link above to join the waitlist as spots sometimes open up at the last minute

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 a PLATO-Sponsored Trip ($50 value)

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

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

Hop Haus Brewing Company (Verona & Fitchburg) Gift Card ($25 value)

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.

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 14:00:00 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 from Pheasant Branch Hill.

The Walk

This 2 1/2 hour walk and presentation will cover about a 2 1/2 mile stretch of the Conservatory including views of natural springs, contouring newly added farmland to better hold the water and clarifying it prior to it flowing into Lake Mendota. The walk is on mostly flat or slightly rolling trails. We may climb a hill to better view the newly added and modified farm land.

About the Conservancy

Pheasant Branch Conservancy consists of 682 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 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.