CARRIE YOU'RE A GENIUS!!! 
Everything works perfectly. Thank you so much for taking time out to solve this problem and for your patience in dealing with my lack of php experience. You're very nice to do so.
I don't mean to take advantage of your generosity, but I do have one last issue. When a main category is clicked on across the top, in the center section of the page the subcategories are listed in addition to the subcategories now being listed on the left. What I would like is for featured products to be displayed in the center of the page instead of the subcategory listings. I'm assuming this is an easy fix and I only need to be pointed in the right direction, but what do I know?
Also, I'm thinking that the word "description" that appears at the top of the center section can be changed by editing a file in the languages section. Am I close?
I promise I won't take up any more of your time after this.
Thanks again for your kindness in helping me out!
Mike