“I never begrudged anybody. I was never jealous. It wasn’t in my makeup to keep up with the Joneses.”

Sadie Blicher, 94, Silver Spring, Maryland

“Having a good wife. We’ve been married going on 70 years. We’ve never had a whole lot of hassle. We’ve never had a real fight.”

Harry Seldin, 95, Baltimore, Maryland

“I attribute it to a good marriage and luck.”

Herbert Selib, 91, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

“I’ve always been active. I hiked two miles every day into my early 80s, and I’ve always swum.”

Ruth Wenger, 97, Owatonna, Minnesota

“I have stayed active all my life. I bowled until I was 80, and I worked in my husband’s business until I was 85.”

Esther Klein, 96, Nashville, Tennessee

“I don’t know whether it’s my genes or diet. When I was younger, I used to eat a lot of fruit.”

Leo Ades, 91, Seaford, Delaware

“I don’t smoke. I don’t eat too much—I never go away from a meal feeling full. And I don’t eat too much dessert.”

Marion Jacobsen, 97, Minneapolis, Minnesota

“I was never a carouser. I do drink, but not in excess.”

Eugene Grazzini, Sr., 90, Winter Haven, Florida

“It’s best not to have too many worries.”

Gerta Wertheim, 93, Bloomington, Indiana

—J.R.L.