Gary,
Thanks! I think I will explore your path. Sounds like I have one less part than my approach.
Did you figure out the "interior" plugs on the Teensy (that was my question 2). The VUSB pin (that appears to be missing in all the photos in the assembly manual) may be related to a discussion on cutting a trace on the teensy depending on how you plan to power it. I saw the discussion, and had planned on looking at it before I grabbed my soldering iron. :-)
73
Mark
AJ6CU