PLATO upcoming events

Epic's Learning Campus Tour (October 31, 2026)

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Epic's Learning Campus Tour

Saturday, October 31, 2026

11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Because of limited slots, this is a Member Only event

Registration begins Tuesday, October 6 at 10:30 am

Epic, the health software company in Verona, has a unique corporate headquarters. Divided into separate campuses with differently themed buildings, Epic aims to create an environment that is comfortable, sparks creativity, has variety, and results in productivity.

Following up on our earlier Epic tours, this time we will be taking a tour of the Learning Campus. The tour will be led by PLATO members Barb Drake and Bob Shaw using Epic's self-guided handout.

Even though the Learning Center is designed for training and meetings, it isn't a conventional corporate training center. You'll encounter elaborate architecture, artwork, unusual furnishings, themed gathering spaces and outdoor landscaping. Epic deliberately uses distinctive themes and designs to make the campus more interesting and to help employees navigate the large complex.

The Learning Campus is primarily centered around space, astronomy, and sci-fi themes. Major landmarks located within this subsection include:

Voyager Hall: The central learning hub optimized for training and large-scale healthcare conferences. It houses the whimsical, historical carousel salvaged from the former Ella’s Deli in Madison.
Classroom & Observatory: Heavily themed academic spaces that blend high-tech educational facilities with cosmic decor.
Sci-Fi & Mystery: Buildings featuring hyper-creative interior design paying homage to science fiction lore, retro-futurism, and classic whodunit mysteries.
Deep Space Auditorium: A massive, underground auditorium hidden right next to the Learning Campus that seats thousands of people.

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Self-Guided Tours: If you are unable to join our tour or are comfortable touring Epic yourself, you can sign up for a tour at https://www.epic.com/visiting/. Note that reservations are required and slots fill up rapidly. Slots open up 30 days in advance.

Registration: There is no registration fee and there is a limit of 12 for the tour.

Parking and Meeting Instructions: Take Highway 18 to Verona and exit right on Epic Lane (Exit 76). Cross Verona Avenue and continue on Epic Lane. After a short distance Epic Lane will intersect with Northern Lights Road. At that intersection you will see a sign pointing to the left that says: "Epic Visitors, Epic Lane, Deliveries". DO NOT TAKE THAT LEFT ON EPIC LANE. Instead continue straight on Northern Lights Road. After a half-mile turn left at the sign that says "Staff Park A". You will see a parking lot with solar panels on top. Park in the visitor's parking lot (Zodiac lot).

At the northwest part of the parking lot you will see a small Humpty Dumpty sculpture. Walk up the stairs by the sculpture and follow the signs that say Visitor's Center. We will be meeting near the visitor's desk in the Andromeda building.

You can also view a map by typing in "Epic Visitor Parking Verona" in Google Maps.

Length, Accessibility, and Pace of Walk: We will be walking almost constantly for the 90 minutes at a leisurely pace for a total of almost four miles. There are a number of stairs on the tour but there are elevators if you would prefer that over the stairs. The tour will be entirely inside the buildings.

PLATO Membership: PLATO membership is $60.00/year and all memberships renew on July 1.

For Further Information contact Epic tour leaders, Barb Drake, barbaradrake21@gmail.com, 608-535-2737 or Bob Shaw, robert.e.shaw@gmail.com , 608-255-3486

Fearless Science Tour (November 10, 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Fearless Science Tour

Tuesday, November 10 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

Free to PLATO Members and Guests

Registration is Required

Because our August Fearless Science Tour filled up within hours when registration opened, we are scheduling another one on November 10.

Registration opens Tuesday, October 13

Join us for a Fearless Science Tour at the Morgridge Institute for Research – a private, nonprofit research institute dedicated to interdisciplinary biomedical research in partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

This 2-hour tour is designed to introduce individuals and groups to the curiosity-driven research and STEM education/engagement work accomplished at the Morgridge Institute.

Fearless Science Tour Timeline

Introduction Presentation (30 min)
- Overview & History of the Morgridge Institute
Scientist Visit 1 (30 min)
- Scientist visits are typically a combination of a short presentation, opportunity for questions, and perhaps a quick look inside the lab
Scientist Visit 2 (30 min)
Principal Investigator (PI) Presentation (30 min)
- Values of Curiosity-Driven Research
- Their perspective on the value of Morgridge as an institute/why they choose to work here
- Q&A as time allows

Logistics: The PLATO tour of the Morgridge Institute on Tuesday, November 10 will be held from 10 am - 12 pm, beginning and ending in the Researcher's Link Room on the 2^nd floor of the Discovery Building. On the attached map, the elevator is highlighted (next to the Welcome Desk). The closest building entrance to the space is Door E, at the corner of Orchard St. & University Ave, though it’s accessible no matter which entrance to the Discovery Building you use. Card access is required to use the elevator and there will be a staff member stationed at the elevators to welcome us and scan us up to the 2nd floor.

Note that the Morgridge Institute in the Discovery Building is in a different building than Morgridge Hall, the new computer, data, and information sciences building. They are in adjacent buidings; the Discovery building is at 330 N. Orchard street and Morgridge Hall is at 1205 University Avenue.

Transportation/Parking:

The Discovery Building at 330 N. Orchard is located near several city of Madison Metro Transit bus stops and UW-Madison bicycle routes.

Although onsite parking is not available, three UW-managed lots (17, 20 and 80) are nearby. Due to construction around the engineering campus and Randall Ave., Lot 17 is only accessible coming from the north (University Ave. & Johnson St.) and has a different, less direct (but clearly marked!) walking route to the Discovery Building. However, it seems that Lot 17 usually has more open parking spaces than the other two nearby options. Each of the links for the three UW-managed lots (17, 20 and 80), has a real-time update of the number of open spaces to help plan your route as you’re headed to campus.

Questions? - Contact tour organizer Bob Shaw at robert.e.shaw@gmail.com or 608-255-3486

Stuff the Stocking Holiday Tour (December 11, 2026)

Fri, 11 Dec 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Stuff the Stocking Holiday Tour

Friday, December 11, 2026

Registration will open on Tuesday, November 3

Registration Deadline is Monday, November 23

It’s time to celebrate the magic of the season! Leave the winter driving to the professionals and step into a cozy, stress-free holiday wonderland. Just sit back, relax and make wonderful holiday memories with old and new friends as we head to southeastern Wisconsin for a day of pastries, pines, poinsettias and more.

Our Holiday Itinerary

Lincoln-Tallman House - Janesville

Step into the elegance of 1857 at this Italianate-style landmark, built by the prominent Tallman family. During the holiday season, more than 100 beautifully decorated trees fill the historic rooms with light, color, and creativity. Explore at your own pace and enjoy one of Janesville’s favorite holiday traditions.

Rock County Historical Society Legacies Museum - Janesville

Discover Legacies Museum 2.0: The Heartbeat of Janesville’s GM. Memorabilia from General Motors, JATCO, Fisher Body, and the UAW brings the community’s industrial story to life—from the Janesville Machine Company’s beginnings in 1919 through the plant’s closing in 2008–2009.

O&H Danish Bakery - Racine

After leaving Janesville we will travel to Racine where you can satisfy your sweet tooth at the O&H Danish bakery, voted Racine's best Danish kringle bakery.

Milaeger's Garden Center - Racine

Enjoy time to browse a family-owned destination that grew from a tiny backyard hobby greenhouse into a collection of more than 90 greenhouses. Take in colorful displays, seasonal décor, and inspiring collections for the home and garden.

Christmas Carnival of Lights - Caledonia

End the day surrounded by holiday sparkle at a festive drive-through light show billed as one of the Midwest’s biggest, brightest, and most dazzling seasonal displays.

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Accessibility & Comfort

The Lincoln–Tallman House ground floor is accessible by lift; the basement and second floor are not fully accessible. The Carriage House, Stonehouse, Frances Willard Schoolhouse, and RCHS Visitor Center are fully accessible. Please share mobility or assistance needs when registering.

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Lunch Choices (Indicate your choice when registering):

Burrata Berry Salad (Mixed greens, burrata cheese, balsamic glaze, strawberries, blueberries, red onions, fresh basil, raspberry vinaigrette) (V)
Margherita Pizza (II Famoso ground tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, garlic, fresh basil, olive oil) (V)
Supreme Pizza (II Famoso ground tomatoes pepperoni, Italian sausage, green peppers, onions, button mushrooms, whole milk mozzarella cheese)
Chicken Pesto Sandwich with roasted potatoes (Pretzel bun, grilled chicken breast, basil pesto sauce, mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomatoes)
Bourbon Burger with roasted potatoes (Brioche bun, cheddar cheese, crispy onion strings, applewood smoked bacon, bourbon BBQ sauce)
Wisconsin Fish Fry with roasted potatoes (Beer-battered cod, coleslaw, marble rye, tartar)

Dinner Choices (Indicate your choice when registering):

All wraps will come with chips.

Grilled Chicken Wrap (Grilled chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar jack cheese, wrapped up with buttermilk ranch dressing)
Club wrap – (sliced turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, cheddar jack cheese with buttermilk ranch dressing)
Veggie Wrap (spinach tortilla with lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, green peppers, mushrooms, feta cheese & Italian dressing
Steak Wrap (grilled steak with sauteed green peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and cheddar jack cheese)

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PLATO is partnering with the Verona Senior Center and UW Retirement Association on this travel opportunity. You will be required to fill out the 2026 Verona Senior Center New Member and Trip Waiver Form (no charge). You can fill out these forms in advance or on the day of the trip.

Schedule: (Return times are approximate)

TRAVELERS ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO DEPARTURE

7:30 a.m. Depart Verona Park & Ride

8:00 a.m. Depart (East Madison) Dutch Mill Park & Ride (East Lot)

7:00 p.m. Return (East Madison) Dutch Mill Park & Ride (East Lot)

7:30 p.m. Return Verona Park & Ride

Departure Locations:

Verona Park & Ride - 2585 Old PB, Verona, WI

East Side (Dutch Mill Park & Ride (East Lot))

Map below for those boarding the bus on east side Dutch Mill Park & Ride. Please park in the "east" lot as indicated by the arrow. (east of Arby's)

Cost: $125 per person and includes bus transportation, driver tip, admission fees, meal, taxes, and gratuities.

Seating is limited, so register today! Registrations must be received no later than noon on Monday, November 23, 2026.

Refund Policy: PLATO refunds an event fee if cancelled prior to the registration deadline. Refunds after the registration deadline are only processed if a wait-listed registrant can attend.

PLATO Membership: PLATO membership is $60.00/year and all memberships renew on July 1.

For further information, contact PLATO trip coordinator, Bob Shaw, robert.e.shaw@gmail.com , 608-255-3486.