Consider setting up an email discussion list to help stay in touch with friends and family. Assuming your family members are computer literate, it can be a great way to post announcements and stay in touch with family members all over the world. Two popular, free, discussion list services are: Yahoo Groups http://www.yahoogroups.com and Google Groups http://www.groups.google.com.
Absolutely true! I have 3 sisters and 3 brothers and we are scattered all over North America, and the yahoo.com group that my sister started keeps us all in touch. I love it- checking my mail is a priority, because who knows what one of those crazy sibs of mine is up to now!