Kit Porter Van Meter Marianas Collection & NMI PCV Memories
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    • YouTube Stories (1975-1983)
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      • Kit Remembers
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    • Youtube Stories (1967-1969)
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    • After PC: Volunteers Reconnect
    • About PCVM & Grant Updates >
      • About PCV Memories
    • Encouragers, Collaborators, & Supporters
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  • Home
  • KPV Collection
    • COLLECTION INDEX & GENERAL CONTENT
    • EDUCATION & CULTURE ​CONTENT
    • NEWSLETTERS, MAGAZINES & ​PRESS RELEASES
    • IMAGE CAPTION ​INVENTORY
    • About the Website
    • Audio Samples
    • Pacific Arts & Crafts
    • Highlights, History & Timeline
    • Higher Education and Northern Marianas College
    • Chamorro & Carolinian Education
    • NMI & Micronesia Transition (1970s)
    • Stories & Recent Visits
    • YouTube Stories (1975-1983)
  • PC Memories
    • Peace Corps Volunteers, Staff, Trainers & Micro Groups
    • Flickr & Photo Inventory
    • PC Stories & Remembrances >
      • Kit Remembers
    • Art & Artifacts
    • Video & Audio
    • PC Related: Printed
    • Youtube Stories (1967-1969)
    • PCV and Staff Content
    • After PC: Volunteers Reconnect
    • About PCVM & Grant Updates >
      • About PCV Memories
    • Encouragers, Collaborators, & Supporters
  • Contact Us
  Kit Porter Van Meter Marianas Collection & NMI PCV Memories

May -- July 2019 --- PCV Memories

7/31/2019

 
July 2019
  • Tom Zink submitted an incredible story about the 1969 MicrOlympic Games. It is absolutely worth your time to read and look at all the pictures. You will see it featured on the main landing page of our website for several months.​

June 2019
  • We have updated the Caption Submission page, listed on the PCV Pictures, Stories, & Videos page. It should be significantly easier to submit captions/information about photos in our inventory.
  • Bill Sakovich submitted content to us several months ago, and I have got around to posting them; I apologize for the delay. --Michael
​
May 2019
  • ​Featured Stories from Contributors has been updated with a few scans submitted by Fay Nelson.

April 2019 --- PCVM

4/30/2019

 
  • We've applied for the NMHC Community Grant once again. We're currently waiting to hear from them, but in the mean time, you can see what we're trying to do by reading our one page proposal summary here! Will update once again when a decision has been reached by the NMHC Grant Committee.

April 2019 --- PCV Memories

4/30/2019

 
  • We're currently looking for assistance with captioning the images in our inventories. You can visit the Caption Submission page to help us! Thank you!​

March 2019 --- PCV Memories

3/31/2019

 
  • We have added a new inventory specific to Peace Corps Volunteer Memories which houses all submitted content by contributors. (03/04/19)
  • All bios have been updated for the contributors. (03/04/19)
  • ​Featured Stories From Contributors has been developed to showcase stories submitted to us. We are currently working on a story (in collaboration with Tom Zink) about MicrOlympics. A preview can be seen in that section.
  • Contributors have been listed for greater visibility below the Peace Corps Volunteer Pictures, Videos, and Stories section.
    • ​Content added:
      • Tom Zink submitted an album of photos
      • John Whitbeck submitted a story: Sinking on the Way to Tinian
      • George Will submitted an album, and a story: Fishing with my Tata
      • Dianne Wildman submitted two new photos.
      • Tom Fisher and Ward Miles have been added as contributors. They both have submitted an album about MicrOlympics.​​

January -- February 2019 --- KPV Collection

2/28/2019

 
The site has been organized into nine sections which we intend to focus on for the foreseeable future. Each section has some content, but several are under development. This restructuring is significantly different from what many are used to. Here are all the major changes, by section:
  • ​View the Collection [restructured]
    • The new inventory systems have been linked in the section, and a Inventory Help Video has been added to assist in navigating the changes.
  • Highlights and Stories [restructured]
    • The Northern Marianas College section has been moved to the home page of the KPV Collection. Kit's stories still remains, and new stories will be posted soon.
  • Tools for the Reader [restructured]
    • The "About the Collection" section was merged with "View The Collection". A new section was created for Kit to write notes about processing the collection.
  • NMI and Micronesia Transition [NEW]​
  • Chamorro [NEW]
  • Carolinian [NEW]
  • Higher Education and Northern Marianas College [NEW]
    • ​More information has been added about Kit being the inaugural president of NMC.
  • ​NMI Relationships with Universities and Title VII Programs [NEW]
  • Recent Trips to NMI [MOVED]

Significant changes have been made to the website; including how the site is organized, new sections and content, and minor changes to navigation. Those updates will be posted here in February. Until then, please feel free to browse the site as the new/restructured sections continue to be developed!

September -- December 2018 --- KPV Collection

12/31/2018

 

Nov/Dec 2018

Vertical Divider
  • We have been busy at work updating our inventories to a new system. We are ready to share those new inventories now. We are creating a short video to help any one who is unable to easily navigate these new inventories; thank you for following our development and your patience as these resources are made available. Please use the View the Collection section or the links below to see our new systems:
    • ​Box Content Inventory
    • Image Caption Inventory
    • Book Inventory
  • ​To ensure you can navigate these new inventories, we've added a short video to showcase the different functions; it can be viewed here: Inventory Help Video

Sept/Oct 2018

Vertical Divider
  • We have been busy at work updating our inventories to a new system. We are ready to share those new inventories now. We are creating a short video to help any one who is unable to easily navigate these new inventories; thank you for following our development and your patience as these resources are made available. Please use the View the Collection section or the links below to see our new systems:
    • ​Box Content Inventory
    • Image Caption Inventory
    • Book Inventory
  • ​To ensure you can navigate these new inventories, we've added a short video to showcase the different functions; it can be viewed here: Inventory Help Video

September -- November 2018 --- PCV Memories

11/30/2018

 

November 2018

  • (11/19/18) We've decided to post the rest of Kit's albums for the 60's. We're in the process of upgrading our current inventory system, but want to ensure that there is new content for regular visitors to view. Holiday season is upon us, and despite being busy and pulled in many different directions, we want to keep updating.
  • (11/19/18) New contact added:
    • Kit Porter's content:
      • Porter House & School (August, 1968)
      • Teaching at Rota School ++ (October, 1968)
      • Taga Stones (October, 1968)
      • Rota from the Air (October, 1968)
      • Going to Mrs. Songsong's Farm (October, 1968)
      • Typhoon Emma (November, 1968)
      • Rota Library, School, & Porter House (December, 1968)
      • Trip to Rota Sites & Mayor (January, 1969)
      • Rota Farms (January, 1969)
      • Rota Friends & Sites (January, 1969)
      • Christening, Parties, Views & Camping (March, 1969)
      • Rota Bakery (March, 1969)
      • Japanese Ruins, School Field Trip ++ (March, 1969)
      • Taga Stones at Mochong (April, 1969)
      • Porter House & Friends (May, 1969)
      • Water Cave & Beach Trip (May, 1969)
      • Law Day (May, 1969)

Sept/Oct 2018

  • (10/23/18) New section added:
    • People & Events Remember by PCV's and Others
      • This section is to collect memories from people who met the same inspiring people, were at the same notable events, and any other memory that seems to come up about the Marianas. It is a new section, and as such, is a little thin on content. Don't hesitate to submit your own memories (by visiting our submission form).
  • Small changes to website were made, nothing of significant import to update but the main featuring page "Content from the PCVs" has been renamed to "People & Events Remembered by PCVs and Others" to reflect upcoming content from readers who have submitted their own stories.
  • (10/16/18) New content added:
    • Kit Porter's content:
      • Library and Continental (June, 1968)
      • Machung Point & Wedding Cake Mt. ++ (June, 1968)
      • People on Rota (July, 1968)
      • Oddball Day Parade (August, 1968)

August 2018 - PCV Memories

8/30/2018

 
  • (08/28/18) New content & Content Contributors added:
    • ​Please welcome the following contributors to the site! You can view the updated bios here.
      • ​Tom Zink
        • ​Tom has submitted a "Then and Now" video of Saipan. You can view it on Tom's Content page.
      • Becky & Dan Wilson
        • ​Becky will be submitting photos if time permits that she and her late husband took during their term of service.
      • Bill Sakovich
        • ​Intends to submit photos in the near future.
    • ​​New content added:
      • ​Diane Wildman has submitted a photo - view it on her content page.

  • (08/20/18) New content added:
    • Kit Porter's Content
      • Three new albums have been added:
        • April 1968 - Rota People & Activities
        • May 1968 - Farms, Schools, & Law Day
        • May 1968 - Fishing Trip Halfway Around the Island
​
  • (08/13/18) New Content Contributors added: 
    • ​Please welcome MZ "Mimi" Morgan to the site! You can see her bio on the About the PCV Volunteers page. And the pictures she's submitted can viewed here: MZ Morgan's Content.
​
  • (08/13/18) New content added:​
    • Kit Porter's Content
      • Kit's recent trip to the NMI has been posted in her section. A new section (Then and Now) is being developed for content like this, but until then, it will be sorted with the individual it came from.
      • ​Six new albums have been added:
        • ​MV Rota Christening
        • School Staff Christmas Party
        • Building Porter's New House
        • Rota Village & Dock
        • Rota Ruins & Friends
        • Three Months Post Typhoon Gilda
    • Fay Nelson's Content
      • ​A Film from Rota (1968-1970) has been added
​​
  • ​​​(08/04/18) New Content Contributors added: 
    • Please welcome Dianne Wildman to the site! You can see her bio on the About the PCV Volunteers page. We are currently processing her photos and will upload within the coming weeks. A place holder has been added to the Content from the Volunteers page to reflect the upcoming content. Thanks Dianne!
    • Please welcome John Whitbeck to the site! We're currently processing all materials submitted by John. We hope to have his bio up soon. A place holder has been added to the Content from the Volunteers page to reflect the upcoming content. Thanks John!

July 2018 - KPV Collection Updates

7/31/2018

 
  • The website has been split into two distinct sections -- KPV Collection & NMI PCV Memories. The footer navigation will reflect those changes in both sections.​
    • Changes to KPV Collection are as follows:
      • Picture Albums for Rota and two stories (Typhoon Gilda & Peace Corps Training) have been relocated to NMI PCV Memories, under Kit's Content from PCV's.
      • Picture Albums for Yap, Palau, Pagan, Agrigan, and Northern Islands have been relocated to NMI PCV Memories, under Content from PCV's.
      • Donation page removed; if you are interested in donating, use the feedback form and select the appropriate option.
  • Newly added Featured Content:
    • Story of Northern Marianas College (pictured below, on left)
    • Kit's Trip to MI 2018 Album added to highlight Kit's recent trip to be the commencement speaker at the 2018 NMC Graduation Ceremony (pictured below, on right)

July 2018 - PCV Memories

7/26/2018

 
  • (07/17/18) Kit's Rota Pictures have been sorted chronologically​
  • New content added:
    • (07/17/18) ​Fay Nelson's Content 
      • Micro Olympics article added to corresponding picture album 
      • Black & White Scans album added ​​

July 2018 - KPV Collection Updates

7/1/2018

 
  • Significant overhaul of all website elements to increase user friendliness
    • Theme & home page format changes were made to reign in a new chapter of the collections development

May 2018 - KPV Collection Updates

5/1/2018

 
  • ​Several sections have been changed. Nothing which will interfere with current navigation of the content already uploaded.
    • ​"Picture Gallery" has been grouped into three different sections. The original page was becoming cumbersome with the amount of albums posted in the current theme/format.
      • ​New sections & albums added:
        • Rota Gallery​​​
          • Building New House for Porters
          • Rota School, 1967-68 School Year
          • ​​Hike to Topingot & Wedding Cake Moutain
          • Taisican Family Party for Soldier Frank
          • PCVs Leave Rota: Youth Club Party
          • PCVs Leave Rota: Teacher's Picnic
          • PCVs Leave Rota: Airport & Picnic
        • ​Saipan Gallery
          • ​Saipan 1967-68
          • Sam Duval Tours PCVs around Saipan
          • MV Ran Annim Trip to Saipan
        • Northern Mariana Islands & Other Galleries​​
    • "About Kit" has changed to "Collection Contributors"
      • The original page still exists, but is nested within the new page​
    • "Featured Content" has been updated to reflect developing sections.
      • ​Content is being developed to populate the Northern Marianas College section
    • ​"Collection Highlights" has been absorbed by "Newsletters," creating a new section comprised of these two pages.

April 2018 - KPV Collection Updates

4/1/2018

 
Finally it is April and we are working on new website content.  Hoping to complete physical therapy for my injured shoulder and arm this month (fell in November). Also am retiring this month from my job working with New England Fisheries Observer program/NOAA Fisheries training. 

So I now have more time to work with the NMI materials (in Chamorro culture would say "more time is now available to work").  Have selected two more albums to post and have listened to two digitized audio tapes in preparation for putting together a Rota story.  Although Michael has changed locations, he is willing to continue as my personal archivist and web designer and has prepared systems so I can (we hope) use them.

The messages received from Rota readers have been a wonderful and lifted my spirits. So happy that you have found pictures of relatives and like seeing and hearing about Rota fifty years ago.  I have responded to all of the inquiries and will continue to do so (give me a week or two).  Because of this, I am going to prepare more Rota pictures & captions and not wait till the stories are done.  As I work, am collecting my favorite pictures and stories about Rota for a book. 

Rota 1967-1969 will continue to be my focus for this year.  I will hope to work on starting the NMI bilingual bicultural programs and Northern Marianas College (1975-1983) later.  

One person wrote: 
I encourage you to make a Facebook account as you will be able to receive messages easier and people can connect with you and share what their connection is to your body of work in Rota. 

I agree with this and have tried to use Facebook a couple times and find it confusing, overwhelming & too fast.  It has been difficult at this stage in my life just to move from paper to digitizing and then to a website and am so glad you have found the website.  For now, I will focus on getting content ready to share; enjoying messages sent and responding.  Maybe the future will bring someone who wants to help with Facebook. Michael and I spoke about how to ensure the new social aspect of this project is organized and helpful to everyone involved. We'll update again when a plan is in place.

-Kit
New picture albums added to the Picture Gallery: 
  • Calvo Family, PCV Steve, & Airport (1969) ​​
  • Rota District 4 Camping Trip (1969)
  • 2nd Grade Visit to Stores (1969) 
  • Rota School 1st, 4th, 5th Grades (1968)
  • Valentine Dance (1969)
  • RS Class Picnic at Beach (1969)
  • Going up the River (1968)
  • ​Going to Mrs. Songsong's Farm (1968)

January & February 2018 - KPV Collection Updates

2/1/2018

 
  • Updates have been delayed as organization and digitization of important materials has taken priority. We apologize for not updating over this past month.
  • Collection Christmas Card to be listed in Collection Highlights (in process)
  • ​New picture albums added:
    • ​Rota School Children (1968-1969)
    • District 4 Easter Party
    • ​Pagan
    • Agrigan
    • Northern Islands
  • ​​Collection updates in process:
    • ​New database being designed to house all picture captions
    • Current database system in minor overhaul to increase user friendliness and efficiency

December 2017 - KPV Collection Updates

12/1/2017

 
  • Added new page: Collection Christmas Card
  • New picture galleries added:
    • Rota School Graduation (1969)
    • School Trip to Important Sites (1969)
    • Micronesia Self-Determination [Multiple Albums]
  • Added new section: Featured Content
    • Newsletters added​
    • Kit's Stories (formerly Featured Stories)
    • Collection Highlights added​
  • ​Added new section: Audio Gallery
    • ​​Six audio files have been uploaded and are ready for listening
    • New sections under development for future audio uploads
  • Added new page: Support the Collection
  • Search function added to header bar (top right corner of all pages)
  • Added drop-down menu to Feedback Form so feedback can be placed into categories of input (i.e. general feedback, questions, etc.)

November 2017 - KPV Collection Updates

11/1/2017

 
  • Feedback form added for viewers to contact us. The feedback form is now listed in the "menu."
  • "Picture Gallery" has been changed to "Media Gallery" as we plan to release audio in addition to photograph/slides. New picture album added:
    • Remembering Individuals and Families
    • ​UN Day
    • First Communion
    • Japanese Sugar Mill Ruins
    • Teacher's Picnic
    • Rota School Graduation
  • "Tools for the Reader" has been added. Several pages created to provide visitors with adequate context.
  • "Peace Corps Training" featured story completed. Captions have been added to all pictures.
  • Changes made to bottom navigation bar to reflect additions to the website
  • Copyrights have been added to stories and all proprietary content
  • Home page has been changed to reflect the new pages being added. Information has moved to more appropriate locations. Welcome section updated to provide more information.
  • Final edits to the website were made before launch

October 2017 - KPV Collection Updates

10/1/2017

 
  • Pages added:
    • Featured Stories
    • Picture Gallery
    • Historical Timeline
  • Albums added to picture gallery
  • Introduction draft
  • Featured Story, Remembering Typhoon Gilda, added as final draft
  • Featured Story, Peace Corps Training, added as 2nd draft -- final edit needed; documents to be linked
  • Captions added to all pictures in featured stories​
  • Feedback form added to assist with visitor correspondence
  • Theme changed for easier navigation

August 2017 - KPV Collection Updates

8/1/2017

 
  • Website created.
  • Basic outline established
  • Initial content mapped out

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