Southern Torch is pleased to welcome Marla Ballard as a contributing writer. Her weekly columns will feature human interest stories about the residents and businesses of both DeKalb and Jackson Counties.

Ballard has been a freelance journalist for 26 years and enjoys keeping her finger on the pulse of the communities in the area.

 “I see growth in the future of Southern Torch and I want to be a part of that,” said Ballard. “I also want to be a part of the growth of the two counties that Southern Torch serves by featuring businesses and inspirational citizens.”

Ballard has lived in DeKalb County for 30 years, having previously lived in Florida for 30 years. She has been married to Tim Ballard for 41 years and they live in the Fischer Community on Lookout Mountain. Ballard said it only took one camping trip to DeSoto State Park and they knew this was the place they wanted to live.

The Ballard’s are camping enthusiasts and when Marla isn’t writing she fills her time with riding her bicycle, volunteer work, playing Spider Solitaire and Sudoku, learning to play piano, and reading. Marla has a large number of honorary children and grandchildren who she says enrich her life beyond measure.