Only been to Matthews once, when we were looking to move to these parts. A realtor showed us several places but something wasn't right. All the drainage ditches alongside the roads were full of water -- and it had hardly rained in a month. And hurricane Katrina had just descended upon New Orleans. Me and the missus decided a little more elevation was in order, so we ended up on the Northern Neck (where we needed to be anyway).
Mathews has a gorgeous public library . . . but the librarian told a wrenching story about trying to save the books in hurricane Isobel a couple of years before . . .
If you're going to be in the area for a few days, go take a look at John Lombardi's place in North (yes, that's the name of the town/village/crossroads). If he's still there. He builds works of art -- catamarans and trimarans. It's just across the neck from Zimmerman's, by Mobjack Bay Marina. First time I visited, it was under water, but lots of interesting boats.