Bonnie whirlwind

The city of Pittsburgh—busy for a decade on its well-known municipal-planning renaissance—moved into a new chapter. Civic groups invited Bonnie Prudden, of New York's Institute for Physical Fitness, to come to town for four days of lessons and demonstrations. Pittsburghers in all walks of life braved storms of blizzard proportions to watch and learn in what became for Bonnie a round-the-clock whirlwind. One result: A Pittsburgh determination to launch 50 coordinated youth-fitness clinics.

1ST DAY

10 a.m.
Overweight newsman who turned up at 10 a.m. for story gets self-reducing tips.

12:15 p.m.
Jaycees, co-sponsors of the Pittsburgh campaign, get lively lunchtime lecture by Bonnie.

2 p.m.
Vocational school students, an hour and three quarters later, watch as some of their classmates try a few of Bonnie's exercises.

3 p.m.
Hour later panting youngster declares, "It's rough!"

4:30 p.m.
Next, Bonnie switches to TV, a puppet show, gets puppeteer himself into the act.

5:30 p.m.
During radio interview, Bonnie gives the commentator aids for his own stiff back.

6:15 p.m.
Bonnie dashes off to the next program date.

6:30 p.m.
After another radio chat, commentator asks, "What can I do?"

7:30 p.m.
Evening audience at Carnegie Tech gets the message.

2ND DAY

9:30 a.m.
Elementary school youngsters begin day with vigor lessons.

10 a.m.
Principal and gym teacher try out some Prudden exercises themselves.

11:45 p.m.
Over 70s, at Downtown YMCA public-affairs forum, prove they're still youthful.

1 p.m.
Caught in act, retired friends pantomime Prudden after their public-affairs luncheon.

2:15 p.m.
Another TV interview brings fitness doctrine to some more home viewers.

2:30 p.m.
Bonnie guides high-school girls in a drill.

5:45 p.m.
YMCA members, also sponsors of Bonnie, discover the shoulder shrug.

9 p.m.
Ski club members get exercises for balance.

11 p.m.
Ski session lasts late. President called Bonnie "most fascinating visitor. Even the drinkers in back listened raptly."

3RD DAY

2:20 p.m.
Another high school is visited. The photog missed an active morning.

6 p.m.
Canteen men follow their TV guide.

7:15 p.m.
TV station secretary tries relaxing knee bend.

7:30 p.m.
TV weather girl Eleanor Schano tries "Executive Series" push-up.

9 p.m.
Teen-agers get active advice, admonition at suburban YMCA.

10:30 p.m.
Press clubbers, at late meeting, decide that it's not just the kids who need to shape up.

4TH DAY

10 a.m.
Brownie Troop, on TV program Safety Rangers, concentrates on fitness as Bonnie and Brownie member show how.

11 a.m.
Youngsters get a Trampoline session at Downtown Y.

2 a.m.
Parents, children and grandmother, in final YMCA matinee, learn how to lose midriff fat, and find it fun.

TWENTY SEVEN PHOTOS

ART SHAY

TWENTY SEVEN ILLUSTRATIONS

ART SHAY