Jim Wilson, finance chairman for The Catholic Church of St. Ann in Raritan and co-chair of this year’s St. Ann’s Italian Festa, doesn’t have a drop of Italian in his blood. However, ever since he moved to Raritan 33 years ago, he’s “been Italian by address,” he said.

“We used to joke that people would go through your trash to make sure there weren’t any Ragu jars,” he laughed. “Here in Raritan, you have Italian neighbors on all sides of you, and everyone knows their neighbors. Everybody enjoys the camaraderie and watching the kids grow up and play ball in the street. It’s a different way of life and a good way of life.”