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.
The holiday season came alive on Saturday, December 6th, as over 30 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 9 AM, was filled with excitement and joy. As the children eagerly awaited Santa’s arrival, they kept busy with festive arts and crafts. They colored mini holiday-themed coloring books with fun crayons and decorated gingerbread ornaments, adding even more holiday spirit to the morning. 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. From trash trucks and pirate sets to lego and diamond dot sets, 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 Scrambled eggs French toast Fruit bowls 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 11:30 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, Billy Ruth, and the Mohnton Fire Company. We can’t wait for next year’s Breakfast with Santa!
As Thanksgiving approaches, Empire Group is taking a moment to reflect on a year filled with progress and meaningful connections. At the heart of every success story are our dedicated, hardworking employees whose expertise and commitment to excellence power everything we do. This season, and every season, we are very grateful for each and every member of the Empire family. Celebrating Our Team Through Employee Appreciation Events To honor the amazing people who make our company great, we hold employee appreciation events throughout the year. These events let employees relax and enjoy time together, and celebrate the teamwork that makes our company successful. One of the year’s highlights was a fun-filled day at Knoebels Amusement Resort, where employees and their families’ enjoyed rides, games, and an amazing lunch. We also teed off at our Annual Empire Group Golf Classic, a favorite tradition that brings together employees from our affiliates for a day of friendly competition and camaraderie. These events are just a small way for us to say thank you for the passion, skill, and dedication our employees bring to their roles every single day. Supporting Our Community Together This year also gave us the honor of participating in several community events. Our employees proudly represented Empire Group at: Touch-A-Truck Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Convoy National Night Out Berks Fall Fest At each event, their enthusiasm and pride were unmistakable, from ensuring our vehicles looked their best to engaging with families, local organizations, and community partners. Their commitment extends far beyond the jobsite; it plays a vital role in strengthening the communities we serve. 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 showcased the talent and expertise of their employees. Here are just a few highlights: Empire Services : The team recently completed one of their most complex demolition projects. They dismantled an enormous clarifier measuring 198 feet in diameter and 20 feet below ground. With no on-grade access, they lifted equipment into the structure using multiple cranes, including lowering a JLG 450 AJ articulating boom lift with a 75-ton crane. Once inside the tank, the crew built a scaffold stair tower for long-term access and skillfully removed and lifted every steel piece back out of the tank. The project also included demolishing a former control building — all completed safely, efficiently, and ahead of schedule.
Fall is in full swing, and our affiliates are busy providing a variety of services to our customers. We take pride in helping them to reach their objectives. Here are some of the exciting projects and events over the past few months.
Workplace safety is more than a regulatory requirement—it’s a responsibility. A safe and healthy work environment protects employees, boosts productivity, and strengthens overall job satisfaction. Yet, many preventable injuries and fatalities still occur each year because of inadequate safety gear, lack of enforcement, or insufficient training. To spotlight areas where improvement is needed, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ) releases its annual list of the Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Safety Standards. These violations serve as a reminder that safety must remain a top priority for every employer. Below are the top five OSHA workplace safety violations for fiscal year 2025 across the nation: 1. Fall Protection – General Requirement (OSHA Standard No. 1926.501) For the 15th year in a row, fall protection remains the most frequently cited OSHA standard, with 5,914 violations . Falls are one of the leading causes of serious work-related injuries and deaths, making proper fall protection essential in construction and other high-risk industries. 2. Hazard Communication (OSHA Standard No. 1910.1200) With 2,546 violations , hazard communication continues to hold the number two spot. This standard ensures workers understand the risks of chemicals they handle—both those used on-site and those imported into a facility. 3. Ladders (OSHA Standard No. 1926.1053) Ladder safety remains a concern, ranking third again this year with 2,405 violations . This standard covers all ladder types, including extension, job-made, wooden, and step ladders. Proper setup, inspection, and usage can help prevent many of these incidents. 4. Lockout/Tagout (OSHA Standard No. 1910.147) Moving up this year, Lockout/Tagout received 2,177 violations . These procedures are designed to prevent accidental energization of machinery, which can lead to electrocutions, burns, and severe injuries such as lacerations and fractures. 5. Respiratory Protection (OSHA Standard No. 1910.134) Dropping to fifth place, respiratory protection recorded 1,953 violations . This standard applies to a wide range of industries—including general industry, construction, shipyards, and marine terminals—where workers may be exposed to harmful airborne contaminants.
Empire Group Hosts 30th Annual Golf Classic at Galen Hall Golf Club
It was an exciting summer at Empire Group , where our affiliates went above and beyond to deliver exceptional results. From dismantling a giant shark tank to celebrating the hard work and dedication of our employees, we proved once again that reliability and expertise are at the core of everything we do. By keeping projects on schedule and within budget, Empire Group continues to be the trusted partner for demolition, excavation, and specialized contracting services across the region. Take a look at some of some project highlights.
September is National Preparedness Month, a nationwide initiative launched by the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) after 9/11 to encourage Americans to prioritize safety and disaster readiness. For businesses—especially those in construction, development, or field-based industries—this month is a critical reminder: Are you truly prepared for severe weather? With hurricane season peaking in September and extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense, having a solid emergency response plan isn’t optional—it’s essential. 2024: A Wake-Up Call for Emergency Preparedness Last year has been one for the record books when it comes to natural disasters. Just look at the data: Tornadoes broke records in six states: New York (32), Ohio (74), Oklahoma (152), West Virginia (20), Iowa (125), and Illinois (142). Hurricane Beryl became one of the earliest Category 5 storms ever recorded, part of a hurricane season that brought 18 named storms, with seven forming after September—another new record. Even traditionally "safe" regions weren’t spared. In a single hour, five tornadoes touched down in Pennsylvania, highlighting a new trend of severe weather events reaching areas like New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. These aren’t outliers—they're the new norm. And they underscore a simple truth: Every business needs a safety plan. Key Questions: Is Your Job Site Ready? As unpredictable weather events grow more common, now is the time to evaluate your emergency protocols. Ask yourself: Do your employees know where to go during a severe storm? Are you aware of post-storm hazards like downed power lines, gas leaks, or structural damage? Is your job site equipped to handle flooding, a fire, or high winds? How are your workers protected during cleanup operations? Do your workers know first aid and CPR? If you’re not confident in your answers, you’re not alone—and that’s exactly why National Preparedness Month exists. Don’t Wait for the Storm: Let Elk Help You Prepare Elk Environmental Services , one of our affiliates, has a Health & Safety Team specializing in custom emergency preparedness planning that meets all local, state, and federal compliance standards. Whether you're building a safety plan from the ground up or revising an outdated one, they are can guide you every step of the way. Schedule Your Safety Consultation Today Preparedness isn’t just good policy—it’s good business. Protect your team, your job sites, and your peace of mind. Schedule a safety consultation with Ed Clemas or Jamie Caron today to get started.
On Saturday, August 23rd, 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 over 120 attendees coming together for a day filled with fun, food, and excitement.
It was a memorable evening at the Berks County Fairgrounds in Leesport for this year’s Northern Berks County National Night Out! With clear skies and great energy in the air, the community came together for an unforgettable night of connection, fun, and celebration.
In times of crisis, reliability isn’t just a virtue—it’s a necessity. While qualities like loyalty and honesty are essential to any great company, when an environmental emergency strikes, the trait that matters most is the ability to act fast and effectively. That’s where Elk Environmental Services, an affiliate of Empire Group, truly stands out. Why Reliability Matters in Environmental Emergencies Whether it’s a fuel spill, chemical leak, or contaminated soil, environmental accidents require immediate attention. The company that responds quickly and knows exactly what to do is the one you’ll remember—and the one you’ll call again. Elk Environmental Services offers 24/7 emergency spill response that goes beyond showing up fast. Their highly trained, experienced team is equipped to handle the unexpected with precision, care, and cost-effectiveness.
