Some people may be looking forward to retirement, but one local woman sees her job as both important and special.

We met up with 90-year-old Dora Bartley in this week's Hometown Hero.

Dora Bartley loves to cook.

"I used to cook, fixing supper, and come in and fix breakfast, but now I just come in and fix one meal a day," said Dora.

But she also loves the reason why she has remained as a cook at the Monroe County jail for 23 years.

"I love to talk," said Dora. "I love people. I love to be with people. That's why I'm down here."

"She's just a remarkable lady," said Doyle Fox, the Monroe County Jailer. "She's worked here at this jail, she says, for 23 years, and I think the whole community deserves her for Hometown Hero."

Throughout her life Dora has had five daughters and two sons.

She has also worked at a factory, the sheriff's office, and even lived at the jail during part of the time her husband was jailer from 1966-1970.

She's made many friends, and her family says they're proud.

Dora always loves to tell her favorite stories from her past, especially about growing up riding horses.

"I've put a lot of shoes on horses, but we rode them all the time," said Dora. "That's the only way we had to go. Walk or ride horses."

When she isn't working, she still tries to keep busy.

"I've quilted the last two months," said Dora. "I've pieced and quilted five quilts, and I've been peeling apples and drying them. I think I've dried about 18 gallons of dried apples, and I just keep busy."

We honor Dora Bartley as this week's Hometown Hero.