In 1981, the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line was born. And, who better to head it up than a woman from Western Springs.

Butterball Turkey – circa 2013

In 1981, Swift & Company, which owned the Butterball turkey brand, decided to experiment with a toll-free “Turkey Talk-Line” to help their customers with cooking and preparation questions. Eleven thousand people called the first year. In recent years the number has grown to over 200,000 calls.

So, who answered those first calls, you ask? Well, six people were hired that first year, one of whom was Jean Schnelle from Western Springs. Jean, who held degrees in both home economics and journalism, had been the former food editor for the Akron Beacon Journal. So, in 1981, when Swift began the Turkey Talk-Line, she felt it would be the perfect job. According to one news story, Jean’s son, Christopher, agreed, saying, “You love to talk on the phone”.

Jean Schnelle preparing her own turkey – 1986

And talk she did. By her own estimates, she personally answered some 75,000 calls on every subject from thawing to stuffing. In addition, after becoming the director of the program, she did numerous newspaper, radio and television interviews recounting humorous inquiries from young brides and novice cooks. During her tenure, the number of Talk-Line staff grew to 44.

The Western Springs connection did not stop there. Other Western Springs residents who were part of the group included Maria Olson, Sally Berg, and Marge Klindera, who subsequently became the director of the Talk Line.

A lot has changed over the years. The Butterball brand has gone through several changes in corporate ownership, a website has been created to supplement the Talk-Line, and the number of people staffing the Naperville call center now numbers 60. The Talk-Line has also embraced Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, live chat, and email. And in the last couple of years, the Talk-Line has hired male advisors, too. It seems that male callers now account for 25% of the calls.

Butterball Turkey Talk-Line – circa 2013

One thing hasn’t changed. You can still call 1-800-BUTTERBALL (800-288-8372) between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and get an answer to your Turkey question, even on Thanksgiving Day!