​​Greetings Sir Knights, 

When I started writing this edition of newsletter, I realized it will be the last for this Commandery year. How fast it has gone. 

The Full Form Opening and Order of the Temple inspection will be done by the time this is distributed. It was conducted on March 30th. It was inspected by the Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander Robert Hager. I believe it went well for all who were present. Thanks to all the officers and Sir Knights for their participation. 

Next up is the continuation of conducting the Order of the Red Cross and Order of Malta. This is a yearly requirement but necessary to stay familiar with them. 

Events that are upcoming: 
Inspection for Defiance 30 on April 6th starting at 3pm. 
CTA meetings: May 18th at Bryan 5pm with dinner at 6pm., July 14th location TBA for picnic at 4pm followed by business meeting at 5pm, Sept. 21st at Lima for School of Instruction starting at 4pm followed by business meeting at 5pm ending with dinner at 6pm. 

Yorkrite festival on May 11th Registration starts at 7:30am with degree at 8:30 ending around 8pm. There is lunch available for a donation and Dinner with reservation for $12. This year the Super Excellent Master degree will be presented. There are plans for the Order of the Temple on the following Saturday, May 18th with light breakfast. Registration starts at 8am. More information to be published. 

There are many events happening within the Findlay Masonic Bodies. I believe it is our duty as Knights Templar to help them whenever and where ever we can. Without them we cannot survive. 

In closing I thank all for their support. It has been a fun season and also a learning one. 

God Bless 

Tom DeFrieze

​​Greetings Sir Knights,

The Holidays are over and I hope  the time spent with family and friends was wonderful.  But, now the time for Inspection season for all the bodies is here.  The Commandery inspection is March 30, 2019.  Being a first time Commander, we will be doing The Order of Temple.

We will begin our inspection day at 2:00pm with the Full Form Opening followed with a short break.  After the break, we will proceed with The Order Of The Temple.  Dinner is at 5:30pm.  Your ladies are invited for the day.  Entertainment is being planned while the degree is being conducted.  Reservations are always recommended.

The Grand Commander of Ohio, SK Trent, and his entourage will also be attending.  We should be honored his choosing Findlay Commandery for one of his visits.

I would encourage all Sir Knights to attend.  It would be great if we could use our Sir Knights as escorts and guards for our inspection.  The Commandery can help with needed regalia but we need to know in advance for the regalia needed.
Practice schedule will be published after confirmation with Complex manager and heads of other bodies.  Notices will be distributed.

A reminder that our meetings are the 2nd and 4th Wednesday.  The first meeting is a pot luck dinner with the meats provided.  Families are welcome.

Thank you,
Tom DeFrieze

​Greetings Sir Knights,

Here we go into the last few months of 2018 and how this year has flown by.  The 67th Triennial of the Grand Commandery was held in August.  Our Commandery had 2 teams of 7 knights, D7 teams, compete in the Triennial Drill competition.  Our teams placed 2nd and 6th.  At a Boy to our teams for their hard work and dedication.

October 18-20 is the 176th annual conclave of the Grand Commandery of Ohio.  It will be held in Columbus which is close enough to come watch our teams compete.  Drill competition is on Saturday the 20th but times won’t be announced until Friday the 19th.  I will try to have times posted on Findlay’s Masonic Body Website or please call. The location and other info for annual conclave is published in the September addition of Knights Templar magazine.

The October meeting will be in green jackets.  The October 9th meeting will be for business that may regularly come before it.  The October 24th meeting is for work on the Order of Malta.

The November meeting will be for Thanksgiving Celebration and the December meeting for Christmas Observance.  Attire will be discussed prior to this meeting.
 
Tom DeFrieze

​Greetings Sir Knights, 

By the time you receive this newsletter, the officers of your Commandery will be installed for 2018-19 Commandery year. I’m honored to be elected and installed the Eminent Commander and will do my best to maintain the traditions 
of our Commandery. Keeping with tradition, I would like to continue to have a tureen dinner and business meeting on the 1st meeting of the month, the 2nd Wednesday with degree work or an educational program on the 2nd meeting of 
the month the 4th Wednesday. 

Our dill team has started practicing for the upcoming competitive drill seasons with two events this year. The first is August 18th at the 67th Triennial of Grand Encampment of the US in Indianapolis, IN. The 2nd event is October 
20th at the Ohio Grand Commandery Annual Conclave. Anyone wishing to participate with the drill team can show up at the Complex on Sundays or Mondays at 6:30pm. 

Some upcoming events are: the 4th of July parade which the drill team is planning on attending and invite any knights to come participate, July 15th is the CTA picnic here in Findlay at 4pm and the CTA is supplying the meal: 
please call me with reservations, July 16th is another picnic with the beauceant at 5pm which is prior to drill practice, August 18-22 is the 67th Triennial of the Grand Encampment of the United States and information is on the 
Grand Encampment web page, September 12th is our first meeting of the year with dinner at 6:30pm and Lodge 7:30, October 18-20 is the Ohio Grand Commandery Annual Conclave in Columbus, Ohio and information is on their web page. 

Our past Emminent Commander SK Steve Roth would like to express his thanks for the help and support he has received the past several years. 

I’m looking forward to the new Commandery year and with the help and support from all Sir Knights of our Commandery it will be a fine year. 

Thank you, 
Tom DeFrieze 

​Spring Announces new beginnings.  May this Easter fill your heart with Hope and Faith.
Sir Knights,

The Templar year is quickily coming to a close, but there are still several dates of interest.
April 11th Stated meeting Easter Observance dinner before at 6:30pm
April 21st Awards Luncheon 12 noon (no cost) All welcome to attend and congratulate our honorees
April 25th Practice Full Form Order of Malta
May 9th Stated meeting dinner before at 6:30pm
May 12 York Rite Festival 8:30am.  Commandery opens at 10:30am
May 20th CTA meeting 5pm Defiance Discuss realignment
May 24th Stated meeting, Election of Officers for 2018-19 Commandery Year
June 13th Stated meeting dinner before at 6:30pm
June 27th Stated meeting, installation of Officers.

Sir Knights, we did not have a fundraising project this year and this is something we need to do.  The Holy Land Pilgrimage is  a Great program and worthy of supporting.  We need to plan for the future and fund this project.

Drill team practice will be starting again soon on Monday nights 6:30pm-8pm.  We will be working on a new Grand Encampment drill.  Please join us on Monday nights.  If we can get enough Sir Knights we would like to take both a C class and D team to Indianapolis for the 68th Triennial August 18th.  With the Triennial just a few hours away I would encourage you and your ladies to Experience this event.  Hotel and meal information can be found on the Grand Enc. Website or contact our recorder or myself.

Sir Knights, it has been my pleasure to serve as your Commander.  I would like to say thank you for allowing me to serve as Eminent Commander again for this great Commandery.  Please show your support for the next Commander and officers.  Sir Knights with your help OUR commandery can be even better.

Stephen E Roth  PC, DDC

​Sir Knights,

Happy New Year.  I hope you all had an enjoyable Holiday Season.  And I wish you a joyous and Prosperous New Year.

The start of the New Year means the start of the Inspection Season. Sir Knights, Findlay Commandery will be inspected in the Order of the Temple this year.  We have a new candidate who is excited to be a knight.  We also have the privilege of having the Right Eminent Grand Commander, Terry Wymer, visiting our Commandery.  Please, Sir Knights, help support your Commandery and attend our Inspection on January 27th.  I do plan to shake things up this year.  We will start at 3pm with the Full Form Opening then move into the Order of the Temple and finish the day with the Banquet around 5:30pm.  As always, we need sir knights to help from the lines.  Please, Sir Knights, come out and support your Commandery and meet the REGC.  I am planning to keep the momentum rolling with the Full Form Red Cross and Malta, which we will walk through in the coming months.  Stay Tuned.

Practice dates for the Inspection will be announced at our regular meetings so please attend.
The 1st division inspections are:
Findlay January 27th 3pm
Lima Shawnee Februaray 3rd 2pm
Defiance February 17th 3pm
Bryan March 17th 3pm
Van Wert March 24th 2pm

Our meetings are the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month with a carry-in dinner on the first meeting of each month. Please, Sir Knights support your Commandery and attend when you can. WE need you.

Deputy Division Commander
Eminent Commander
Stephen Roth

Sir Knights,

As hard as it may seem, summer is over and your Commandery is ready to start another year.

The drill team has been practicing every Monday evening during the summer in preparation for the drill competition at Grand Commandery October 7th.  I’d like to see a good turnout of Findlay Sir Knights at the Grand Session on October 6th.

Crowne Plaza Columbus North 6500 Doubletree Ave.

Sir Knights, as I mentioned in the summer news, your Commandery meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday, with a family potluck dinner before the 1st meeting starting at 6:30pm.  The meetings start at 7:30pm.  All Sir Knights are encouraged to attend each and every meeting.  Only the officers are required to wear their uniforms at the 2nd monthly meeting. 

Some dates to remember for October thru December:
• Meeting Dates: Oct 11, Oct. 25, Nov. 8, Nov. 22, (Also Thanksgiving Eve), Dec. 13, Dec. 27
• Grand Commandery October 6-7
• December 2 Reception for the Rt. Eminent Grand Commander Terry Wymer
• Practice dates for the Inspection January 27, 2018 will be announced later

Sir Knights, the inspection is Saturday, January 27, 2018.  Please keep this date available and try to attend your inspection  (with or without a uniform)

Our inspection will be full form Order of the Temple. With the permission of the next Grand Commander we will make some changes to the inspection day.  1st we will be starting at 2pm with the Full Form opening, then move on to Order of the Temple, which will be followed by the Banquet.  As I mentioned in a previous newsletter our Inspecting officer for January 27 will be Grand Master of the Grand Encampment.

I look forward to a good Commandery year, we have several new Knights in the officers line, and on a personal note, At the grand Commandery session (if all goes as planned) I will be installed as the next Deputy Division Commander for the 1st Division.  This next year will be challenging but enjoyable with your help and support.

IN HOC SIGNO VINCES; By this sign thou shalt conquer.  By remembering this Motto we will conguer and have a great year.  Please support your commandery this year.  “WE NEED YOU “

Your fifth time Eminent Commander 
Stephen Roth

​Sir Knights,

Please, someone tell me that 5 is a magical number.  And that my fifth time as Eminent Commander, for Findlay Commandery #49 will be magical. (please)

I want to thank the officers that are taking positions for this next year.  We have five Sir Knights serving in the lines, who are not Past Commanders, (YEAH)  Anyone who is interested in joining the Commandery line or know of someone who would like to become a member, please contact me.

Remember: Every Christian Mason should be a Knights Templar

Summer is upon us and though we may go dark for the summer we will not sit idle.  Our State Ranked drill team will be practicing again this summer on the parking lot Monday Nights 6:30pm.  We are hoping that we have enough sir knights to have a C15 team and a D7.  Contact me or Rick Eakin for details.

Look for drill team in the 4th of July Parade.  (summer uniform)

Sir Knighs, we will have our picnic with the ladies of the Beauceant, August 21st 5:30pm at the Lodge prior to our drill practice.

The CTA meeting on July 16th will be held at the Harrison Lake State Park in Fayette, Ohio (4pm picnic 5pm meeting).  All sir knights are invited to attend.  Call me or sir knight Tom DeFrieze if wishing to attend.

September we will begin the new Commandery year September 13th is the first meeting, Pot luck dinner with our ladies at 6:30pm meeting at 7:30pm.  Please attend.

Sir Knights, we had a very good inspection last year in the Full Form Order of Malta.  I do not  plan to take  on such a task this year.  Inspection will be Order of Temple with a few twists.  Also a teaser, our Inspector is somewhat of a celebrity.  Please attend and see who this could be.

Have a great summer. IN HOC SIGNO VINCES “IN THIS WE WILL CONQUER”

Eminent Commander
Stephen Roth

​HAPPY EASTER HE is a risen, and Alive for you and me!!!

Sir Knights,

By the time you read this our inspection in the Full Form Order of Melta will have taken place on April 1st and been a Great Success.  I am sure that brother Miles Rudder was impressed by the Order.  Thank you to all Knights that helped make this a memorable experience for our Candidate.

The Templar year is quickly coming to a close, but there are still several dates of interest:

April 12th Easter Observance-Valley of Toledo Maundy Service, Fostoria Lodge 7pm
April 26th Practice Order of the Temple Dinner before at 6:30pm
May 10th Order of the Temple for our Malta Candidate.  Dinner before at 6:30pm
May 13th York Rite Festival 8am start Commandery at 10:30am
May 20th CTA  meeting 5pm Van Wert
May 24th Elections for the 2017-2018 Commandery year.
June 21st Installation of Officers

Sir Knights, we did not have a fund raising project this year and this is something we need to do.  We may have a summer fish fry, details TBA.

Drill team practice will be starting again soon on Mondy nights 6:30pm-8pm.  We will be working on a new Grand Encampment drill.  Please join us on Monday nights starting in June.

Sir Knights it has been my pleasure to serve as your Commander.  I would like to say thank you for allowing me to serve as Emminent Commander again for this great Commandery.

“Every Christian Mason should be A Knight Templar”

Eminent Commander
Stephen Roth

​Knightly News

Greetings Sir Knights, Happy New Year.

I hope you all had an enjoyable Holiday season.  And I wish you a Joyous New Year.

The start of the New Year means the start of the Inspection season.

As many of you know hopefully by reading the newsletters, our Inspection this year will be in the Full Form Malta. For those of us that have never seen this order, please plan to attend our inspection April 1. (No joke).  This order is very impressive in the full form and requires many knights to be able to do it properly.  Please plan to join us April first; we will start the degree work at 3pm and have the dinner at 5:30pm. The required full form Commandery opening will not happen on the inspection day, but at our March 8th meeting. We can use your help for that day also, as we always need sir knights to form the lines.

Practice dates for the Inspection will be announced at our regular meetings, so please attend.

The 1st division inspections are:
Van Wert January 28th 2pm
Lima Shawnee February 4th 3pm
Defiance February 18th 3pm
Bryan March 18th 3pm

Our meetings are the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month with a carry in dinner on the first meeting.

Please Sir Knights help support your Commandery and attend when you can WE need you.

Eminent Commander
Stephen Roth