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Kelly Carper Polden, a local author and communications consultant, signed a contract with Arcadia Publishing, the leading local history publisher in the United States, to author a book entitled Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. The book is scheduled for release in December 2010 and will commemorate the 2011 grand opening of the Texas White House at LBJ Ranch.

"I am honored to work with the National Park Service staff here in Johnson City, to create what will be the first-ever book on Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park," Carper Polden said. "It’s been said that Lyndon Johnson took great pride in his heritage and his roots here in the Texas Hill Country. This book will help share that pride of heritage that lives on and is shared by visitors and locals alike, thanks to the generosity and foresight of President Johnson and his family."

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park will describe the historical resources of the park using photographs, memorabilia such as old post cards, and short vignettes to provide a unique perspective on park assets, including the Johnson Settlement (circa 1860s), Johnson City and the LBJ Boyhood Home (circa 1920s), and the LBJ Ranch (circa 1960s). The book will be part of Arcadia Publishing’s "Images of America" series, celebrating the history of neighborhoods, towns and cities across the country.

Park Superintendent Russ Whitlock has committed the park’s personnel and resources to support Carper Polden in this project. Whitlock stated, "The national historical park has operated without a site specific book throughout its history, Kelly is going to help us meet that need and provide our visiting public with a great take-home souvenir of their visit and help entice potential visitors to the Johnson City area."

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park will be available at the bookstore located in the park headquarters in Johnson City, as well as at local and national bookstores, and online at www.arcadiapublishing.com. Arcadia Publishing, headquartered in South Carolina, established in 1993, has more than 6,000 titles in print and is best known for its Images of America series.

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Kelly Carper Polden became a first-time author in December 2007 when BookSurge Publishing, an Amazon company, published her book, Puppy Tales: The Adventures of Adam the Australian Shepherd. The book was written for children ages 8-10 and dog lovers of all ages. Her short stories are also featured in the following anthology books: Christmas Miracles, Chicken Soup for the Soul What I Learned from the Dog, and Patchwork Path: Dad’s Bowtie anthology. She is an award-winning communicator with more than 20 years experience in writing/editing, media/public relations, and marketing communications. She owns Kelly Carper Communications, a communications consulting business (www.kellycarperco mmunications.com), and works for a variety of clients, from global corporations to small businesses and non-profit organizations. Throughout her career, Kelly has won numerous awards including a national Clarion Award and an international Sulzer Innovation Award. "Friend" her at Facebook.com and LinkedIn.com.