1) meyer174school.ddns.net has given my router a static IP address.
It works, I thank you.

2) I read the VPN information you sent me, and have looked on
the Internet for addtional specific instructions.

3) About a potential VPN installation, I conclude

a) a single VPN may connect all our computers at 178, 174, Madaket
and Konnarock, but in order for the VPN to function the host
computer must be running.

b) as a start, one VPN host computer in Belmont (at 178, or if you
wish, 174) might link all our computers in Belmont, on Nantucket
and Konnarock when these computers are running.

c) once a VPN has been installed in Belmont (by you or by myself)
we have the options of installing VPN servers in any or all of
our other computers. Such installation would generate much
login/passwd overhead, but would preclude the need to keep one
host computer running at all times.

d) it would be inefficient, I believe, for us to work on a VPN
project in parallel. I'm pleased to let you take the initiative
and proceed. Please advise me what, if anything, you wish me to do.