At the age of 90, a crusty New Hampshire political activist who would soon form ties to Asheville found herself a heroine to many and the punchline for late-night TV hosts. Doris "Granny D" Haddock's journals spoke to well-known Haywood County actress and writer Barbara Bates Smith who takes on Granny D.'s persona this weekend at NC Stage in downtown Asheville.

Fired up in late 1999 about the need to publicize election campaign finance reform,  Granny D. informed her son that she was going to fly to Los Angeles and walk back.

Her 3,500-mile trek along a southern route to Washington, DC, brought her through Asheville. Haddock's journey journals became a book she called "You're Never Too Old to Raise a Little Hell" and public servants from both sides of the aisle, including John ...