​Greetings Sir Knights,

It’s with a heavy heart to report the passing of 4 Sir Knight within the last 2 months.  They are SK J. Avery Evinger, Past Eminent Commander and KYCH; SK Merle L. Wittenmyer a 54 year mason; SK Walter G. Metcalf a 51 year mason and a mentor for many on the bagpipes and SK Frank W. Crane, Past Eminent Commander, Past Right Eminent Commander, KYCH,KYGCH and a 33 Degree of the Toledo Valley AASR.
To the tune of “Taps” “Frater, good night, Must thou go
When the day and the night
Need thee so?
All is well,
Speedeth all to their rest.”
Thanks to all Sir Knights for their help with the funeral services.  The families expressed their great appreciation for a job well done.

Sir Knights have been taught that we are born to die.  So, let each  of us make preparations for our death spiritually, legally, and Masonically.  The Grand Lodge of Ohio has provided a form called Masonic Last Rights Request Form.  It is located in the Grand Lodge Website, freemason.com, in the members portal within the Grandview system under Resources contained in the Resources/Form tab.  This form will aid your families with the Masonic service of your wishes.  If  you need help locating this form, our Secretaries, Recorders and Heads of Bodies can assist you.

The Inspection for the Order of the Temple will be conducted January 18. 2020.  Dinner will be at 12:00 noon.  The menu is salad, Baked Chicken breast, mashed potatoes/gravy, traditional green beans and dessert.

Please contact our Recorder or myself with your reservations, ladies are welcome.  The Order of the Temple starts at 1:30.  There is a ladies program where they will create yard art.  Please plan on attending in uniform if you have one, suit if not.

Other inspections and events throughout the new Northwestern Division, which is the merger of the 1st and 6th divisions plus others on the following page.  To all who have read this, please consider the Masonic Last Rite Request Form.  To all Sir Knights, thanks again for your help through difficult times, for your attendance at our conclaves and for posting the Colors at many
Events.

Yours Truly, 
Tom DeFrieze

​It is with deep Masonic sorrow that we report the passing of SK Frank Warren Crane on 12/11/19.  
SK Frank was a valued member of Sycamore Lodge 520 in Deshler, Findlay York Rite Bodies, and a Past Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Ohio, among others.

VISITATION AND FUNERAL DETAILS:
Monday, January 16, 2019   
Visitation 4p-7p
Hufford Family Funeral Home
1500 Manor Hill Drive, Findlay OH.
Findlay Commandery #49 will coordinate an honor guard for the visitation hours.  
Sycamore Lodge 520 will conduct a Masonic Funeral Service at 7:00 p.m.
Contact EC Tom DeFrieze (567-208-7691 or tgd6999@yahoo.com) to indicate your availability as an honor guard.

Tuesday, January 17, 2019

Visitation 9:30-10:30a 
Funeral 10:30a 
Hufford Family Funeral Home    
1500 Manor Hill Drive, Findlay OH

Rick Eakin

​Greetings Sir Knights,
 
We should have a couple of meetings completed by this posting, so let’s get down to business to prepare for our inspections.  This year will be different splitting Full Form Opening and Order of the Temple on different days and months.

The first stated meeting, October 9th, we will start to practice Full Form Opening (FFO) and continue with FFO at our stated meeting until December 11.  This is the date of FFO review/inspection.  It would be great to use our Sir Knights for this event to form the lines and escorts.  Please help your Commandery.

Also, October 11th is the Grand Conclave of the Ohio Grand Commandery  It is being convened at the Doubletree by Hilton Columbus-Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Ave., Columbus.  The Grand Conclave opens at 8:00am.

The following day, Oct. 12 will be drill competitions.  Our Commandery has 2-D7 teams. Team 1 will stand personal inspection at 8:30am and drill at 9am.  Team 2 will stand personal inspection at 10am and drill at 10:30.  Word is several other teams are practicing hard.  Should be a great time, please come and support our drill teams.

Upcoming dates are: October 9 and 23 are stated meetings, October 11 is Grand Conclave, November 3 and 27 are stated meetings, December 11 is a stated meeting with FFO inspection and Christmas Observance.  December 25 is Christmas, and January 18, 2020 is the Order of  the Temple.

We will continue to have a carry in dinner with meat provided on the first meeting of the month.  Families are invited to the meal.

This will be a busy start to the Commandery year but with the help of all Sir Knights we’ll get it done in Findlay Commandery exemplary fashion.

Yours Truly, 
Tom DeFrieze

​​Greetings Sir Knights,
 
We have completed another year.  An election of next years officers has happened and will be installed at the stated meeting on June 26, 2019.

All the officers remain the same except the Junior Warden which is SK Ralph Wheeler.  This group of officers will do well in serving Findlay Commandery No. 49.

This year, our drill teams placed 2nd and 3rd at the State Conclave, we had an excellent inspection with the help of our Sir Knights and others of the 1st division.  We presented the Colors at Riverdale HS basketball game and had a Color Guard in the Memorial Day parade.  Plus, our Sir Knights helped with various events conducted by the Findlay Masonic Bodies.  This is a Commandery to be proud of.

Though we may go into Darkness from July to September, we are still active.  Our drill team meets on Mondays at 6:30PM preparing for October State Conclave.  If any Sir Knights has any interest please come for all are welcome.  Plans are being made to participate in the 4th of July parade.  The next CTA meeting is July 14th at Findlay Masonic Complex with pot luck dinner at 4:00pm and meeting afterwards.  This is the 1st meeting of the new Northwestern Division where officers will be elected.  There are other events Findlay Masonic Bodies are conducting that could use our help.  An example is the Diabetic Kids camp in August.

Thanks for the support from you Sir Knights.  Again, I will do my best in serving as Commander of this excellent Commandery.  Enjoy the Summer.

Yours Truly, 
Tom DeFrieze

​​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