Editor, Gazette-Journal:

How sad to see Mathews Court House (old term for “Village”) become just another summer gift shopping spree and fall festival weekend getaway. Why did the “come heres” come here to settle in the first place? Was it the charm of the old environment or the lower boat tax rate?

I’ve lived here practically all my life, even though I taught school in Alexandria, Virginia for 35 years. I came home to Mathews every other weekend to be with my parents when they were well and more often if they weren’t.

Hudgins and Owens garage was on Hyco Corner 39 years. Taylor and Hudson sold Fords. Mrs. Shackelford ran her hotel serving meals to her overnight guests. Forrest Funeral Home took care of us when we stopped breathing. Ellis Richardson had moved his pharmacy from Port Haywood and had a very nice brick building across the corner from Foster Bros. Department Store. The Be-Jo Theater was located next door. I spent my 15¢ for a seria...