Do you know that to become a senior citizen can be down right fun? There are, however, a few conditions for contentment in the transition from worker to retiree. Reasonably good health and a positive attitude, for instance, play a major role in how we perceive the golden years of our lives.

It also helps to live in a city like Austin where seniors can fulfill their dreams and pursue the hobbies and activities they never had time for during their years on the work force. This place is the Mower County Senior Citizen Center at 400 Third Ave. NE.

For one thing, here senior citizens can take in a nutritious dinner every weekday without going broke.

Activities offered at the Center are innumerable -- woodworking, dances, needle craft, card games, computer instruction and all kinds of field trips -- the list goes on and on. There is also the Unique Boutique, a used-a-bit shop, where one can find just about anything from packaged food items to jewelry, knickknacks to used clothing.

There are eight to nine employees at the center, but the rest are volunteers, said Paulette Anderson, executive director. Day to day meals as well as special fund-raisers are done by volunteers who set up, serve and clean up after the event.

The front desk, craft rooms and Unique Boutique are also manned by volunteers, and some drive for the transportation program.

There are also nurses who volunteer to do free blood pressure checkups on regular basis. Judy Emiliusen is the volunteers' organizer and is responsible for lining up people for the Experience Works programs.

Some of the volunteers most frequently seen on duty at the Senior Center are Les Traff, Nona Janning, Cora Kitrell and Lorraine Krausert. In the Unique Boutique one can find Delores Mathwig trying to catch a quick lunch during a lull in the customer flow.

"I have been a volunteer here for nine years," Mathwig said. "Before that, I was a volunteer in the KC Hall and the Center for 14 years. I did this until my back gave out, a nerve pinching," she explained.

Normally, Mathwig spends three to three and one half hours, three days a week, in the Boutique. She gets no free meals for volunteering.

"But it's worth it, volunteering," she said with conviction. "Some days I'm here in the morning, some days one to four in the afternoon. Colleen is very nice to work for."

Mathwig is always willing to fill in, as she lives by herself and can come and go as she pleases, as opposed to the others who have families to visit for holidays and other occasions.

"I let my dogs worry about me," she said with a chuckle. "I got banged up pretty bad in a car accident some years ago. It messed up my back. The doctor told me to stay active, not sit around all the time. Coming here keeps me on my feet," she explained, adding that being at the center keeps her in contact with people she likes.

Having a family of dogs comes naturally to Mathwig who years ago was in the dog breeding business with her ex-husband.

She also was involved with 4-Hers, where she instructed the youngsters in dog obedience training. Her former students are now adults but still recognize her and tell her things they remember about the classes she gave. Mathwig giggles a little at the memory.

Lorraine Krausert works as receptionist but has no definite routine, she said.

She may come in once or twice a week.

"I don't do much," Krausert said, modestly, adding that she also helps with Sunday morning pancake breakfasts and Hormel breakfasts once a month.

"It's nice to have the Senior Center, and the volunteers are needed to keep it going," Krausert explained.

Nona Janning spends many hours at the front desk and also works on various projects in the craft room.

Les Traff works on his own projects in the woodworking shop as well as instructing others in the craft.

Many finished craft items, done by the senior citizens, are either sold as fundraisers, or donated to different community institutions such as day care centers and schools.

Objects from the Senior Citizen Center can be viewed at the center and at the Mower County Fair. Some of the projects win ribbons.

As with any nonprofit community orientated organization, volunteerism is the key factor that keeps the Senior Center going. Members who take time to get involved get much satisfaction from the friendships they either had before retirement, or have developed since joining the Center. And after all, there is much more involved than work. The seniors have opportunities for activities of pure enjoyment -- the dinners, dances, card clubs and just visiting with friends.

Nini Johnson can be reached by e-mail at newsroom@austindailyherald.com