News
Social Security News
October 21, 2015Unfortunately, it isn’t soda pop that nearly 65 million Americans will have to go without. For the first time in recent years, the Social Security Administration announced that there will be no Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase to beneficiaries’ checks. Retirees and disabled workers who depend on these benefits will have to stretch the dollar even further to cover the rising costs of health care, food, housing and other basic needs.
The COLA is set every year in October based on September’s inflation report. If prices don’t increase, Social Security benefits stay the same. Experts cite the surge in U.S. oil production as the reason for the decline in inflation. A lower price at the pump may be a good thing for working Americans, but many Social Security recipients do not benefit from this perk as they are no longer commuting to and from work. On a positive note, Social Security trustees project a 3.1% increase for 2017 but only time will tell if that comes to fruition. (source: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/bri.cgi)
VA ACCREDITATION
October 21, 2015Firm Associate
receives his VA Accreditation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. This accreditation allows Attorney Murse to assist Veterans and their family members in the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims before the VA.
CASA Heroes Gala and Benefit Auction
October 14, 2015We are honored to sponsor the Sixth Annual CASA Heroes Gala and Benefit Auction – “There’s no Place Like Home”
http://www.casalancaster.org/newsandevents/2015-gala.aspx
*CASA is Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children*
Women in Business Mentoring Program
October 14, 2015Along with the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, Gabriella H. Farhat, Esq., represents the firm as a mentor in educating and connecting with female students in their junior year of high school. Mentors help to empower and motivate students in becoming future business and community leaders and to excel in their future career path.
YWCA Lancaster Walk A Mile In Her Shoes
October 14, 2015We were happy to sponsor the YWCA Lancaster Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Event aimed at eliminating racism and empowering women.
https://www.firstgiving.com/ywlancasterwalkamile/ywca-lancaster-walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes
Lampeter-Strasburg YMCA Fall Fest
October 14, 2015Albert J. Meier, Esq., Melissa M. Wohlsen, Esq., and Deb Folk represent the firm as participants in the Lancaster Family YMCA 2015 Lampeter-Strasburg Fall Fest 5k Race.
Lancaster County Preservation Trust Gourmet Gala
March 23, 2015The Farm at Eagles Ridge to Host the 2015 Gourmet Gala
The Farm at Eagles Ridge at 465 Long Lane, a few miles from downtown Lancaster, has been chosen as
the host site for the 2015 Gourmet Gala on Sunday, May 17, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
” As part of our on-going education outreach efforts, the Historic Preservation Trust selects a historic property in Lancaster County each year to showcase as host of our annual gala fundraiser,” said Lisa Horst, president of the Historic Preservation Trust Board of Directors. “In addition to being a site suitable for hosting one of Lancaster’s premier social events, the site must be historically significant. The Farm at Eagles Ridge dates back to the1820’s, and it is an excellent example of how historic buildings can be given new lives through adaptive reuse.”
The Farm at Eagles Ridge was the recipient of a 2013 preservation award for restoring its 3,200 square-foot barn which, paired with a renovated corn crib and stone farmhouse, created a unique special events venue. “It took extensive work to restore the buildings on this farm in such a way that would preserve their historic character while transforming them into a state-of-the-art
facility,” said Betsy Herr, co-owner of The Farm at Eagles Ridge – today one of the most popular wedding venues in Lancaster County.
More than 30 of the area’s best restaurants, caterers, bakeries, personal chefs, wineries, breweries and coffee companies will be serving their specialties. Among those are Lombardo’s, La Petite
Patisserie, The Scarlet Runner catering, Willow Valley Communities Culinary Services, Rettew’s Catering, Hess’s Barbecue, Inn at Bully’s Restaurant & Pub, Railroad House Inn, Lickity Split, Gracie’s on West Main, Toadally Caribbean, Federal Taphouse, Seasons Olive & Vinegar Taproom, Breaking Bread Catering, Lancaster Hummus Company, Miesse Candies, Byers Butterflake Bakery, Dutch Haven Shoo Fly Pie Bakery and Grandma Jack’s Gourmet Popocorn, Lancaster County Coffee Roasters, Twin Brook Winery, Stargazers Winery, Nissley Vineyards & Winery Estate, Waltz Vineyards, Saint Boniface Craft Brewing Company, Lancaster Brewing Company, Moo-Duck Brewery and Yards Brewing. Music for the evening will be provided by Temple Avenue.
Mrs. Horst said Gala sponsors are being sought to join media sponsor Lancaster County Magazine and lead sponsors PPL Corporation and Willow Valley Communities; supporting lead sponsors White Horse Construction, Shoppes at Belmont, and Lancaster Solid Waste Management Authority; and supporting
sponsors Bertz, Hess & Co., Conestoga View Nursing & Rehabilitation, Donegal Insurance Group, NxtBook Media, RLPS Architects and UGI Utilities. Other sponsors include Lusk & Associates-Sotheby’s International Realty (Anne Lusk), Benchmark Construction, Berkshire Hathaway (Andy Esbenshade), Berkshire Hathaway (Jeff LeFevre), Brookline Builders, Certified Carpet, D. H. Funk & Sons, Lancaster Ironworks, May Metzger and Zimmerman, Perron Construction, Preservation Works, Puffer Morris Realty,
Pyfer, Reese Straub Gray & Farhat, PC, Rhoads Energy, Rhoads Energy, Rohrer’s One Hour, RSC Heating & Air Conditioning, Select Security, Senior Tax Strategies, Two Dude’s Painting and
Ville Painters.
A Gourmet Gala ticket costs $75 for members of the Historic Preservation Trust or the Central Pennsylvania Preservation Society or $85 for non-members. A block of 10 tickets may be purchased for $650.
New Associate Joins the Firm
March 10, 2015Jeffrey C. Murse, Esquire, is a native of Lancaster County and a graduate of Manheim Township High School. A successful high school baseball player, Mr. Murse received an athletic scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh and was a letter-winner and contributing member of the 1995 Big East champion Pitt Panther baseball team. Mr. Murse later transferred to DeSales University in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice.
Following his graduation from DeSales University, Mr. Murse attended Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg and, at the same time, he began serving as a Conference Officer with the Domestic Relations Section of Lancaster County. During his time with the Domestic Relations Section, Mr. Murse was promoted to Supervisor, where he helped manage the establishment, modification, and enforcement of child and spousal support orders.
Mr. Murse graduated from Widener University School of Law and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 2004. In 2005, Mr. Murse left the Domestic Relations Section and began serving as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Henry S. Kenderdine, Jr., of the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas. Mr. Murse then commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps in 2006. As an attorney in the JAG Corps, Mr. Murse provided legal counsel in family law, estate planning, and contract matters and he defended military members against criminal prosecution at courts-martial. Mr. Murse was awarded both the Navy Achievement Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal for his outstanding legal counsel to hundreds of military beneficiaries.
Before transitioning from active duty in 2014, Mr. Murse deployed as the primary legal advisor for a counter-piracy task force operating near the Horn of Africa and was assigned to the United States Naval Academy as Assistant Professor of Law. Mr. Murse continues to provide legal counsel to military members in the Washington, D.C., area as a reservist in the JAG Corps reserve community.
In January 2014, Mr. Murse accepted a position as Attorney-Advisor for the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Mr. Murse returned to Lancaster County in 2015, joining Pyfer Reese Straub Gray & Farhat PC with a primary practice in Family Law, but also handling other areas, including civil and criminal litigation.
In his free time, Mr. Murse enjoys spending time with his family and cheering for the Manheim Township Blue Streaks.
Pyfer Reese Sponsors Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County!
October 21, 2014Pyfer Reese is proud to support the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, who’s mission is to educate the community of historic events and architechture while working to protect historical landmarks.
More information on the Historic Preservation Trust can be found here.
Pyfer Reese Welcomes Two New Associates
April 1, 2014Pyfer Reese Straub Gray & Farhat PC is delighted to add Ms. Shawnee S. Soto-Ortiz and Ms. Heather L. Adams to their team of expert lawyers. Ortiz, a former custody lawyer (specializing in child custody cases) with MidPenn Legal Services, and Adams, former Sr. Deputy Attorney for the PA Attorney General’s office, will join the Pyfer Reese team and add to the firm’s rich tradition of sound counsel.