​Addendum for Ohio to Grand Encampment of Knights Templar Reopening 2021 Safety Protocols”
With an effective date of December 1, 2020, permitting Commanderies within the jurisdiction of the Grand Commandery of Ohio to open for in-person Conclaves in “Phase 1” is hereby rescinded.  Grand and Constituent Commanderies in this jurisdiction will remain in Phase Zero, as defined by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar Reopening Templary 2021 Phased Opening Criteria, (this document was provided to Eminent Commanders and Recorders of Constituent Commanderies on November 6, 2020, via electronic mail) and remains in effect until further notice , with applications as follows:
Limited to virtual conclaves and conference calls only, virtual conclaves by means of teleconference call and/or video conferencing (Zoom, etc).
In-person conclaves at any location are PROHIBITED.
Any type of ritual work associated with the conferral of any of the Commandery orders on candidates is PROHIBITED.
Given under my hand and seal of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of the State of Ohio, on the 24th day of November 2020, Anno Ordinis 902.

​Greetings Sir Knights,

We are still following Article 12 issued by the Grand Master of the Grand Encampment.  There has been no updates when this may change.  I will post any changes by means of Findlay Masonic Body web and Facebook page, group text, or by personal contact. 

Here’s a couple of dates to keep in mind if things change.  Dec. 9 2020 is Full Form Opening review conducted at a stated meeting.  Jan. 30, 2021 Order of the Temple inspection. 

Yours Truly,
Tom DeFrieze

​Greetings Sir Knights, 
 
The Grand Master for the State of Ohio is allowing in lodge meetings, but does not include the Commanderies.  On May 4, 2020, The Grand Master of the Grand Encampment issued General Order #12 not allowing in-person conclaves.  This order is still in effect until further notice.

Hopefully by September, Conclaves can resume.  I will post any news on Findlay’s facebok page website or any other way I can get the word out.

We can look forward to conducting the Orders of the Commandery on 2 petitioners.  Also, the full form Opening will be conducted on December 8, 2020 and Inspection of The Order of the Temple on Jan. 30, 2021.

This is also the time we elect officers.  All current officers are staying in those positions for 2021.  We do need to fill the position of Warder.  If anyone is interested please contact me.

The 178 Annual Conclave for Ohio is scheduled for Oct. 9&10, 2020 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, Ohio.  Information can be found on the Ohio Knights Templar website.

I hope this message finds you well.  It’s been a long, crazy and historic time,. God be with you Sir Knights. 
   
 
Yours Truly,  
Tom DeFrieze

​Greetings Sir Knights, 
  
I hope all are in good health during this worldwide health crisis.  Please adhere to the guidelines given by our leaders of the Country, State, County and our heads of Bodies.

As every Mason knows, all activities are cancelled or postponed until May 10th or possibly longer.  We are and will use our lines of communication meaning Facebook, group texts and emails, and person to person phone calls to advise members of important information.

I have received several phone calls and messages checking up on me. Thanks to all.  I encourage all of us to check on each other and help if you can without subjecting yourself to serious injury. My phone is usually handy.  Please call or text for any reason even just to talk. 
 
BE SAFE 
 
Yours Truly,
Tom DeFrieze

​OFFICE OF THE RIGHT EMINENT GRAND COMMANDER GRAND COMMANDERY OF KNIGHTS TEMPLAR OF OHIO
GENERAL ORDER NO. 14
CANCELLATION OF STATED CONCLAVES AND INSPECTIONS
March 14, 2020
To all Sir Knights, officers and members of Constituent Commanderies and to all present and past Officers of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Ohio:
Greetings:
The number of cases of persons infected with the novel coronavirus COVID-19 continues to rise in Ohio, our nation and the world. Our state government and the Grand Lodge of Ohio have begun to implement measures to limit nonessential travel and to set limitations on gatherings to prevent community transmission of the virus. A large number of Commandery members fall in the “at risk” population, that is to say, over the age of 60, preexisting medical conditions and other factors. The health and well-being of every one of our Sir Knights is our most important concern.
Accordingly, by authority of Nelson General Order #11, I hereby order all stated conclaves to
th
be cancelled through April 25 , 2020.
Furthermore, I order all Inspections scheduled to occur through April 25th to be cancelled, under the following conditions:
1. The full administrative review, as detailed in the Supplemental Instructions to the General Orders, Section 2.i.(1) shall still be conducted by the Deputy Division Commander, Division Commander or by a Grand Commandery Officer or Past Grand Commander.
2. First-time Commanders whose inspections are cancelled, and who have never been inspected in the Order of the Temple will have the opportunity to prove their proficiency and receive their Past Commander certificate by performing all Five Libations (Ritual pp. 126-133, 141-142), and the Knighting (Ritual, pg. 145) in the presence of the Division Commander, Deputy Division Commander, Past Grand Commander or other Grand Commandery Officer in a satisfactory manner, prior to May 31, 2020.

Given under my hand and seal of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Ohio, on this 14th day of March, Anno Domini 2020, Anno Ordonis 902.
Robert C. Hager, KCT
Right Eminent Grand Commander
Attest: Alfred T. Johnson, KCT, HPGC Eminent Grand Recorder

​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