WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
IT WORKED!!!
Since I’m doing this at home, I’m being interrupted by my family all the time, principally by my daughter who requires all of my attention.
Well, the procedure was this:
setenv PANDA_PRC_DIR /usr/local/etc
and add the line to /usr/local/etc/Config.prc:
plugin-path /usr/local/lib/panda3d
GREAT! I finally see a window!
Thanks for the help and patience, drwr!