Every night is star light, star bright at Starry Hill, weather permitting.

The observatory in the Eatonville area was built and is operated by Tom and Gracie as a non-profit, education-oriented organization for children and families to experience and learn about astronomy as the couple's guests. 'Star parties,' as they call them, are scheduled by appointment and free of charge. All participants need is a fascination with what they can see in the night sky and with the aid of telescopes.

The Paulys are retired teachers -- Tom from the Puyallup School District, where he taught earth science, and Gracie from the Tacoma School District, where she taught elementary students. The remote acreage... has a sweeping view of forested hillsides and Mount Rainier. At night, it has 'dark skies,' free of manmade light that's incompatible with the prime stargazing Starry Hill visitors get....

They built the observatory and an adjoining planetarium for others as much or more than for themselves. The enthusiastic and gracious hosts are thrilled when they see kids awestruck by the assortment of heavenly bodies they see while peering through telescopes often for the first time, 'We just enjoy it so much,' Gracie said.

She and Tom are also fond of saying that they aren't the story in Starry Hill, that the place and its educational, fun-filled focus are what it's all about.