POLAND, Ohio - It's a story that's been decades in the making. A retired English teacher from Struthers is now a published author, working on her book from her retirement home in Poland at the age of 92.

"I never thought of myself as being an author," said Mary Alice Baluck. "I just like to write."

She's been doing a lot of it lately.

Mary Alice Baluck is one of 15 residents at the Blackburn Home, a senior living community in Poland. At 92 years old she's also now a first-time author, publishing a story called "Heaven's Doorway."

"This particular book started in my head when I was 40 years old but it took a long time to write," said Baluck.

"It's a beautiful story about three women in three generations. Takes place between the years 1880 to 1928. It's all centered around Lake Erie. The shores of Lake Erie are going to record all this activity," said Baluck.

It took her about a year to turn it into an actual book, sitting at a computer at the Blackburn Home at all hours of the day and night.

"I have macular degeneration," said Baluck. "I do not see too well, so when I have to type the letters that I write can be in a 72 size font, which is a very large font."

But she got it done, giving everyone there a reason to get excited.

"This is the work of 50+ years, the book that's been published," said Connie Leathers from the Blackburn Home. "You start thinking up an idea and when you finally have time to sit down with a pencil and paper you start writing it. And now just the push forward; putting it on the computer, finding people to help, finding an editor. Boom, she has a book."

It really brings everything full circle for Mary Alice.

She says her dad really sparked her imagination when she was a kid with his stories around the dinner table. Now she's writing her own stories; one book down and more to come.

"I'm here every day writing," said Baluck. "I have my second book ready to go."

A published author who, at 92 is just getting started.

Mary Alice will turn 93 next month. If you want to celebrate by checking out a copy of her book, you can find it for sale on Amazon.