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A Brief History of Valentine's Day
Empire Group | February 5, 2021
As soon as February 1st arrives, we start thinking about Valentine’s Day. Based on love, the holiday is symbolized through Cupid, red hearts, flowers and candy. Speaking of candy, Americans buy 58 million pounds of chocolate each year for Valentine’s Day. We know what to buy on this holiday of romance, but do we know why? Unfortunately, the origin of Valentine’s Day is a bit of a mystery. Many historians say the holiday can be traced back to two men, both named Valentine.
The first Valentine was a temple priest named Valentine (St. Valentine of Rome), who was killed by Emperor Claudius II in the third century. The Emperor decided that single men made better soldiers. Thus, he outlawed marriages. Valentine defied the decree and married young couples in secret, and was killed. The second Valentine, also in the third century, was a bishop in Terni (St. Valentine of Interamna). He was killed for trying to convert the Emperor to Christianity. So, what is the connection between these men and the Valentine’s Day we know today?
Since both men were martyrs and named Valentine, Pope Gelasius I named February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day. However, it wasn’t really due to their martyrdom. The Pope created the holiday to replace the Roman festival Lupercalia, which focused on fertility. One of the rituals was of men racing through Rome whipping women with scraps of sacrificed goats. Another ritual was of a child forced to pair couples. The couples had to live together for a year, hopefully leading to marriage and the birth of a child. The focus was changed from fertility to love. Hence, St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers.
As the centuries passed, the holiday spread to England and France. In these countries, February 14th is the beginning of the mating season for birds. This is created the idea that this date would be known as a day of romance. The act of passing “love” notes soon became part of the holiday. Some say the poet Geoffrey Chaucer had something to do with this since he wrote of romance, and some of his writings were dedicated to St. Valentine. In addition to the love notes (cards), candy and flowers were added as they were considered little tokens of affection.
Whether you celebrate with cards, flowers or chocolates (or all three), the team at Empire Group wishes you a Happy Valentine’s Day! To learn more about us, visit our website.
With the start of a new year, businesses reflect on the success they had in the last 12 months. They also take the time to appreciate their customers. At Empire Group, we truly appreciate our customers, and the variety of projects awarded to our affiliates. Below are some project highlights from last year.
The holiday season came alive on Saturday, December 7th, as nearly 40 children gathered for Empire Group’s annual Breakfast with Santa event at the Mohnton Fire Company in Mohnton, PA. This annual tradition kicked off the holiday season for Empire Group employees and their families. A Festive Morning Full of Fun and Laughter The event, which began at 8:30 AM, was filled with excitement and joy. While the children eagerly awaited Santa’s arrival, they kept themselves entertained with arts and crafts. The kids enjoyed creating their own festive Christmas trees, reindeer, elves and polar bear decorations, adding to the holiday spirit in the air. As the clock ticked closer to Santa’s arrival, anticipation grew. When Santa finally made his entrance, the room erupted in delighted cheers. Each child had the chance to sit on Santa’s lap, share their wish list, and receive a gift. Even some of the employees got a chance to chat with Santa! From construction trucks and kitchen sets to bracelet kits and diamond painting kits, every child left with a thoughtful gift, making it a truly magical experience for all. A Delicious Holiday Breakfast for All Ages While the kids waited for Santa, families were treated to a hearty breakfast buffet. The spread featured classic favorites that everyone could enjoy, including: Fluffy pancakes Crispy scrapple Bacon and sausages Golden potatoes Scrambled eggs French toast The breakfast was the perfect complement to the holiday festivities, offering a cozy, warm meal for families to share together. Creating Lasting Memories As the event wrapped up around 10 AM, children left with not only smiles on their faces but also goodie bags and gifts in hand. The morning was a wonderful reminder of the importance of community and the joy of giving during the holiday season. The breakfast also marked the last event of the year for Empire Group employees and their families, making it even more special. A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who helped make this event a success, including Tonia Carlile and Ellen Ganime. We also send a special thank you to Todd & Karen O'Neill, Harry & Cathy O'Neill, Wayne Lamp, and the Mohnton Fire Company. We can’t wait for next year’s Breakfast with Santa!
As the Thanksgiving season approaches, Empire Group takes a moment to reflect on the year’s successes and extend our heartfelt gratitude to the people who make it all possible—our dedicated employees. Their hard work, expertise, and commitment to excellence drive our business forward, and we are thankful for each and every one of them. Honoring Our Employees with Appreciation Events This past year, we celebrated our team’s contributions with several events designed to show how much we value their hard work and dedication. Our employees enjoyed a fun-filled day at Knoebels Amusement Resort, had a blast at our 32nd Annual Empire Group Golf Open, and enjoyed friendly competition at the Annual Fishing Rodeo. These events are just a small token of our appreciation for the passion and effort our employees put into their roles every day. We also had the honor of participating in the 60th Annual King Frost Parade, where our very own DVC team won first place in the Walkers Category. It was a moment of pride for our company, as it highlighted not only our dedication to the community but also the strong spirit of teamwork within our organization. Showcasing Our Unique Projects and Services At Empire Group, we take immense pride in the diverse range of services our affiliates provide across various industries. This year, they had the privilege of working on several standout projects that showcase the talent and expertise of their employees. Here are just a few highlights:
Elk Environmental Services , one of our affiliates, has been busy this fall with lab packing projects, company events, and other updates. Here's a glimpse into what's been happening.
On the chilly evening of Saturday, October 26th, the streets of downtown Hamburg, PA, came alive with the King Frost Parade, an annual tradition that has been captivating locals for over sixty years. With around 20,000 spectators in attendance, this event is more than just a parade—it's a celebration of community and the arrival of fall. This year's parade featured an impressive lineup of vehicles from two of our affiliates: Delaware Valley Contractors (DVC) and Elk Environmental Services (Elk). DVC had three vehicles alongside a mini-excavator and a tractor from Elk. The star of the show was King Frost himself, who was joined by the Phillie Phanatic. The parade boasted five divisions, showcasing 130 floats and five marching bands, all weaving through the heart of Hamburg. The DVC service truck, adorned with cobwebs, balloons, and chains, led the way, with Terry Wentzel at the wheel. The highlight of their float was “Mr. Skellington,” a half-skeleton perched on the roof, making his debut in style. Following closely was the DVC roll-off truck, carrying a mini-excavator that featured mischievous skeletons, driven by Stew Rivers. Nick Olivieri took charge of the Elk tractor, while another DVC service truck, driven by Jason Moffett, rounded out our parade presence. Our walkers, dressed in costumes ranging from Captain Marvel to a skeleton princess, won first place in the Walkers Category! Congratulations! They spread joy by handing out candy to the excited crowd. We had a blast this year and can’t wait until next year's parade! A big thank you to everyone who helped make this event special: Terry Wentzel and family Dominick Wentzel Tommy Wentzel and family Stew Rivers Nick Olivieri Jason Moffett Russ Oswalt Apologies if anyone was missed!
Every fall, employees of Empire Group eagerly anticipate the Annual Fishing Rodeo and Picnic, and this year did not disappoint! Held on Saturday, October 12th, at the picturesque farm of Todd and Karen O’Neill, the event was a resounding success.
It was a special year for Northern Berk County National Night Out! The event was held at a new venue – the Berks County Fairgrounds in Leesport. Each vendor had plenty of space for their vehicles and tables, a welcome change from last year's crowded setup at Schuylkill Valley High School. A New Gathering It was exciting to see employees from DVC, Empire Group, and Berks Transfer all together at the event. DVC's Russ Oswalt and Jimmy Blatt, along with Empire Group’s Ellen Ganime and Berks Transfer’s Karen O'Neill, Lauren Bohning, and Mitzi Cote, distributed fun giveaways, including police SUV stress relievers, small toys, bracelets, sunglasses, and snacks. Despite the cloudy weather and a rescheduled date, everyone had a great time. National Night Out: A Nationwide Celebration National Night Out takes place on the first Tuesday of August in most states, with some opting for an October date. Founded in 1984 by Matt Peskin, who also established the National Association of Town Watch, this event has grown significantly over the past 40 years. It fosters connections between police departments and communities through activities, music, and food. Last year, nearly 40 million people attended National Night Out events across over 16,800 communities from all 50 states. An Exciting Vendor Lineup The Berks County Fairgrounds showcased 80 vendors this year, and we anticipate even more participation next year. Empire Group was proud to be among a diverse group of vendors, including local businesses, first responders, and non-profit organizations. The variety was impressive, featuring everything from insurance companies and car dealerships to healthcare providers and restaurants. New vendors like Spitler’s Towing, HNL Lab Medicine, and Blinds To Go added to the fun atmosphere. Attendees enjoyed delicious food options, from pizza to popcorn, while engaging in games and exploring a variety of vehicles, including a Tesla Cybertruck and two helicopters. A Spectacular Ending DVC showcased their tri-axle dump truck, while Berks Transfer displayed their roll-off truck with a dumpster. The evening concluded with brilliant fireworks, leaving everyone in high spirits. At Empire Group, we search for ways to enrich our community. Like National Night Out, we strive to connect with our neighbors. Our employees had a blast at the event and look forward to National Night Out 2025. We hope to see you next year!
This year's Golf Classic was held on September 7, 2024, at Willow Hollow Golf Course in Leesport, PA. The day began with sun peaking out of the clouds, and we had 104 of the finest golfers from Berks County playing in this fun event. There was a shot gun start at 7:00 AM and all the action was completed by 11:30 AM – just in time for the rain! Once the match was over, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch of fried chicken, cold cuts, pierogies, baked beans, potato salad and various side dishes, snacks and drinks. After the luncheon, the winners were announced. Team Winners First Place: Val Santo, Ray Plummer, Dave Albright, and Mike Wagner with a score of 17 under par – an excellent score! Second Place: Jey Newswanger, Matt Gordon, Brian Leupold, and Nick Shade. The team had a score of 12 under par – an awesome score! Third Place: Carl Sottosanti, John Sottosanti, Sebastian Sottosanti, and Giuseppe Napoli with a score of 11 under par – great playing guys! Closest to the Pin Hole Winners Kenny Freil Hole #3 – 15' Brian Leupold Hole #5 – 5' 7" Val Santo Hole #6 – 8' 7" Dave Albright Hole #9 – 4' 11" Chris Stephens Hole # 14 – 3' 6" The Longest Drive Winner Rich Reinhart Hole #16 A Big Thank You I would like to thank those who helped me put this event put together. Without them, things would not get done: Pamela Oswalt Charity Oswalt Michelle Oswalt Missy Sebio Mandy Rotkiske Makayla Rotkiske Victoria Reedy Brenda Martis Cherie Clissa Mitzi Cote Ellen Ganime If I forgot to mention you, I apologize! Once again, thanks to everyone who made this event possible and a special thanks to Todd & Karen O’Neill and Harry & Cathy O’Neill – without them we could not do this every year! Stay tuned for next year’s date! Sincerely, Russ Russell P. Oswalt, Sr. Vice President of Transportation, DVC
This summer was sizzling and Elk Environmental Services , one of our affiliates, was busy with various projects, company events, and other updates. Here's a glimpse into what they were up to!
On Saturday, August 17th, employees and their families gathered for a fantastic Empire Group Family Fun Day at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, PA. This year's event was a big hit, with nearly 200 attendees coming together for a day filled with fun, food, and festivities.
