ROCKPORT—Three years ago this September, folks may remember the Cowpocalypse in Rockport Village when a herd of Belted Galloway cattle, “Belties,” from Aldermere Farm, busted out of fence post in their paddock and decided to take a stroll down Union Street into Rockport.

Rockport author Paige Pendleton is just about to release a new children’s book about that event on September 17 to coincide with Maine Day in Portland.

“On a beautiful September day, about 30 cows — all female — began trotting down into Rockport Village by Graffam Seafood,” said Pendleton. “No one at the farm realized it at first and they meandered around. Of course it got everyone excited. They walked right through the Graffam Seafood picnic area and milled around. And what was really funny was that when they were done exploring, they just turned around and went back on their own. It was like they were bored and just felt like going on an adventure.”

Though people tried to herd them back, the ladies were having none of that. “I think people tried to get them to go back but that wouldn’t have influenced them one way or another,” said Pendleton. “Belties have very unique personalities. They’re smart, adventurous and curious.”

The White Belt Society, the title if her new book, is a play on the words The Red Hat Society. 

“They were on a girl’s day out,” said Pendleton.

The picture book is illustrated by award-winning illustrator Thomas Block and published by North Country Press. Pendleton didn’t know if there was such thing as a “Beltie genre” of books out there, but if so, this would be in that category.

In honor of Maine Day at the Big E, Pendleton and Block will be releasing The White Belt Society for a book-signing on the front lawn the State of Maine Building on States Avenue at Eastern States Exposition, The Big E, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

For more information about the book visit: paigewpendleton.com and for more information about the event visit: http://www.thebige.com/

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com